Disillusionment

Entry 77 makes me so angry. Standardized Testing. The students in this entry are truly getting the short end of the stick. Lack of funding, lack of materials, and many students who are learning English as a second language. How can they be expected to perform well in a less than perfect circumstance, to say the least? But the teacher tries, despite everything in her way; she finds creative ways to reach out to her students and teach them. Even though no one wants to take the test, and she doesn't want to give the test, she must. I can definitely see why Standardized Testing is put in place, and I understand the logic behind it, but stories like this are heartbreaking. Just because students don't test well doesn't meet they aren't smart, or capable, or college-ready. And there are too many stories like this being told. So what do we do? For now we are stuck with putting our students through Standardized Testing again and again, but maybe someday that won't always be the case.

Entry 82 is another entry that gets under my skin. This entry is about a teacher who proctors a Time-Out room-- A room students are sent to when they get kicked out of the classroom. It's absolutely absurd to think this helps students in any way. Many students who get sent to the TOR are probably glad to not be doing work in class, and if they know the only trouble they'll get in is to be sent to another room, then why not disrupt class again today? This isn't teaching anyone, anything. Not only is it hurting students, it's also creating bad teachers. Oh, you don't want to deal with John Doe's behavioral issues? Send him away! Jane Doe talking in class? Send her away! Why not talk to your students!? Maybe there's an underlying issue? Maybe they just needed someone to notice them? Maybe they are waiting for that one teacher to look their way. Or maybe they've given up and would rather be in the TOR then be let down again. Every student has a story, and every student needs a helping hand, not to be brushed aside by the system. Sending students away doesn't help anyone. I studied education because I wanted to help my students, not send away the ones who are "harder" to deal with.