TEKS, TAKS, boy I'm Tired

It has been awhile since I have written. I blame it on the TAKS test. Yep, that wonderful, creative, innovative way the state of Texas has created to make sure teachers do not have the time to really teach.

For those readers not familiar with the terms - TEKS is Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. These are a series of guidelines for every subject that is taught in the Texas Public Schools. Applying to all grade levels, they are truly a great framework to build lesson plans and goals upon. The TAKS - Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills - is its ugly offshoot. This is where the state gives a standardized test to see what the students are learning. Now, if a schools population does well on these, fine. However, if the student population does not do well on these tests, then the state takes away money from the school and other punitive measures.

Currently I am teaching at a school in which the students MUST show improvement (test scores going up). So, instead of teaching toward the TEKS, I have been spending all year teaching the students how to pass the TAKS test. The stress level at the school is HIGH. The administration feels it, the teachers feel it, the students feel it. With TAKS testing just a couple of weeks away - every teacher is being asked to put emphasis on making sure the students are prepared for the exam. One of my colleagues was told she cannot teach Social Studies to her students because her students have shown they need help in math skills. Huh? So she has to emphasize Math to her elementary school kids so they can pass the test? This is teaching?

TAKS as an evaluation tool is fine - but it has become more than that. It has been used as a way to punish schools for a mere microsecond of a student's life. Students cannot graduate or move up to the next level if they are below the state set standard for passing the TAKS. This in spite of a students high level of work throughout the year and/or their school career. This is teaching our children?

Okay, as the title implies, I'm tired. I came into teaching to make a real difference. To teach students about the joy of communication in its myriad forms. Now, I am basically doing review so my students can pass a test. I like the school I'm at. I love my students. I love teaching. I'm looking forward to when I get back to it - teaching, really teaching that is. Until the TAKS is redone, removed, replaced, really a tool to help teacher - I am not sure if that day is coming anytime soon.