This past week at school we've been taking the CRCT or as I like to think of it the Completely-Ridiculous-Crap-Test. The CRCT is what the government of Georgia has decided kids in grades 1-8 have to take to prove that they are ready for the next grade. Of course we have to give it before the year is over so, of course, we have to cram 10 months worth of material into 8 1/2 months. I HATE this test!!!! It doesn't make sense that we judge an entire years worth of learning on one stupid day. What if you're having a bad day? What if your dog died? What if you couldn't sleep because you were in charge of your siblings and one of them was cranky? What if your best friend looked at you funny on the bus on the was home yesterday? What if the idea that one test is going to determine if you can go to the next grade freaks you out so much that you forget everything?
The really great part about this test, and others like it, is that if the students do really well on it...they make it harder! And all of those sped kids who we have to individualize education for? Well tough shit kid. You have to take, and pass, the same test. It doesn't matter that you can't add, or that you read on a 1st grade level, or that we give you an individualized education plan so that you can be successful at school, at the end of the day you still have to pass the same test as everyone else. So lets forget about the fact that over the course of the year Johnny has increased his reading level from 2nd to 5th grade. Let's forget that Sally now knows how to borrow in subtraction. I'd love to be able to say "nice job" and "way to go", but instead I have to say...."hells bells kids you suck."
ARG!!!
How about the people are in charge of these things come and visit my classroom for a day. I'm willing to bet it would open their eyes to a whole different world :)
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