Test reults measure students’ performance on that particular day, not necessarily the ability of teachers to teach.
Testing is not measuring the learning process in the way that government suggests it does. It includes writing tasks of any academic essay writer, oral performances, and other kinds of assessment. Tests measure students’ performance on that particular day. Therefore, evaluating teachers on test results is not a fair assessment of teacher performance.
Four factors are important to make learning occur:
- Teachers must plan and deliver a lesson plan in which the material is clear, understandable, practiced, reinforced, and evaluated and maintain classroom discipline.
- Students must come to school prepared to receive and understand the lesson by being actively involved, willing to learn, and practicing the skills required.
- Parents must send students to school nutritionally fed, emotionally and physically supported, and prepared for the day with school supplies and completed homework.
- Administrators must support the teachers and students with structured discipline, classroom supplies, and a supportive learning environment.
Teachers are Not Alone in the Learning Process
Four parts of the whole picture of learning must be in place for learning to occur. Who’s to blame for poor test scores? Too many Americans are blaming teachers for bad test scores, but surely teachers are only a part of this puzzle. Teachers are being expected to not only teach the day’s lessons and cover the core standards set by the state and national organizations and keep students from interfering with the lesson delivery but also they are supposed to feed, counsel, and provide school supplies from their own pockets. Administrators put classroom discipline completely in the hands of teachers alone. Teacher evaluations should be fair and based on the ability of the teacher to present opportunities to learn and interact with students.
Students Must Adjust their Attitudes and Work Hard
Students are critically important to the education equation. Attitude must go hand in hand with education for students to learn. Active engagement requires a desire to learn. No matter whether the teacher is excited or “with it”, students can learn if they desire to learn. Self-motivation is a critical factor, not only in the k-12 classroom but also in the workplace.
How can that desire to learn be fostered in students? It includes a safe learning environment and teachers who care and work hard. However, parents set the tone for student attitude. If parents bash teachers and administrators at home, students learn to disrespect teachers and devalue education. Learning requires hard work on the part of students: studying, doing homework, taking notes, and being actively involved in the class.
Parents are Critical to Student Success
An important quarter of this picture is the parents. Some students are fortunate to be in a supportive environment. Students should know that if they ask someone to “write my essay for me”, they will get proper assistance. These students have the expectations of their parents supplemented with their support. They receive nutritious meals, school supplies, transportation, and help with organization and homework.
These requirements sound expensive, and perhaps they can be, but love and involvement cost less than one might believe. Support means awareness of educational values, conversations with teachers and administrators, coming to school for teacher and/or student conferences, and staying on top of educational needs.
Administrators Must Supply Critical Teacher, Student, and Parent Support
Administrators are in a critical support role in the education process. Principals help students and teachers interact in a safe learning environment. Test result interpretation, classroom equipment and supplies, scheduling and discipline support, and interaction with the community and parents are important factors in a quality educational environment.
Without administrative support, teachers are alone when dealing with students and parents during disagreements or questionable situations. The administration also includes counselors who help students cope with stress at school or home. These counselors also help teachers reach students or understand situations that affect student cooperation in class. Superintendents interact with state government officials in receiving funds to pay for the buildings, supplies, employees, and services necessary to aid education in the district.
Test Results Only Measure Part of the Educational Process
Testing only measures the success of students, only one of the four groups involved in education. Students retain learning based on varying degrees of success by all groups involved. Teachers can only affect learning when students, parents, and administrators do their jobs well. Evaluating teachers by students’ results on any given testing day shows a limited understanding of the complications of education.
