by Maggie Miller

Created on: January 07, 2010

I recently heard that current governing officials in New York State are considering a new imposition on teachers almost qualified for tenure.  The new legislature would make tenure acquisition contingent upon student test scores on standardized exams; if the teacher's class does not excel, tenure is withheld.

As a teacher, I know the training that's required to fashion and prepare a candidate for the teaching world. It's strenuous and by no means a simple task.  From day one of college, teaching candidates are inundated with information on No Child Left Behind, curriculum, school environment, behavior, classroom management, every single possible issue that comes with the job of education. We're forced to spend an entire semester enrolled in five classes while composing a ten-lesson unit and observing in a school every day from 9-12. Student teaching is no joke either. And because of the rigorous preparation required by my college, I feel prepared and able to teach my students what they need to know.  Even aside from the teaching program, I have strong confidence in my background as an English major.  It's also a requirement now that education majors choose a second major in order to become highly qualified.  In essence, teachers go to college with two majors, but graduate with one.  My English background is strong, and throughout my few years of teaching experience I have felt well equipped to handle student questions and instruct them as necessary.  And any teacher can describe the wave of pride and excitement that rushes over them when they hear students debating euthanasia in Of Mice and Men in the cafeteria or writing their first coherent, analytical essay.

But standardized tests are another story. Schools develop and adhere to curriculum for a reason: someone has decided that the books and material included in the curriculum are essential to student learning and development. In response, teachers create exams that test knowledge of the curriculum items and instruct students on skills that are deemed necessary by state standards. Then, along comes the standardized test.

The standardized test ignores levels of learning and comprehension and tests all students in the same way on the same material. Students who are classified and receive in class support may also receive extra time on the test or special modifications, but they are still measured against the original test scores from whatever control group that initially

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