Test

I am sure you will agree that not everyone learns the same way and that as a teacher we need to find different ways to evaluate our students performances in the classroom. I feel that teachers who think a students grade should be based soley on tests are unfair. Growing up testing has always been a challenge for me and I am sure many others would agree. I had to study alot alot to get average grades. However, I know that their are other ways that I could show my comprehension of the material. I felt it was most effective when teachers allowed students to write papers, do homework, take home assignments, video reviews, and even presentation to show their knowledge. College is challenging because many teachers do not have the time to learn what works best for their students because there is so much to get done and so many students. I have students that have had poor test scores but are some of the strongest students in class based on their personality to succeed. While these students may not look the brightest on paper they are some of the most driven people you will ever meet. These students should be recognized by their teachers for trying to succeed. I know that when I become a teacher the most important thing a student can show me is the willingness to learn and desire to grow . So in the classroom I feel test are not the only way to indicate the success of a student.

NCLB

The topic of No Child Left Behind is a idea President Bush came up with in 2002 that said that all students must be proficent in Reading, Math and Writing. I feel that this act has caused many teachers to look more closely at the education they are providing for their students. While, I think that Bush had good intentions with this act I feel some things need to be looked at a much greater detail. Special education students that I would like to be able to teach are held to the same standards as regular education students. I ask myself " Is this fair?" The answer to me is of course not . Special education students have extreme difficulty performing well on these kinds of test. I know from watching students in a special education classroom take a regular test they complain that they are too long for them to sit and focus on. So a longer standardized test will in no way be an easy task for them. If these students don't perform well on these test their school may lose funding which they need to keep certain programs going. I think that teachers who are working with special education students are doing a great job to prepare their students for these kinds of test but its just coming up short. Students in special education classrooms should be held to different standards but still should strive to do their very best!