The Breakfast Club โ #BFC530 โ is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri โ 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
Hi #bfc530 friends - I can't stay this morning but wanted to drop in to let you know how much I appreciate you all! If ever I'm feeling down all I need to do is read some #bfc530 tweets & I feel all better!
#positive#growth#brainfood
Thank You!
I used all tests as I guide for me to see how well I was facilitating the learning of students. My Standardized Tests page https://t.co/PnQRg0jJWL#bfc530#edchat
I don't really discuss it. I tell Ss they are prepared, they can do it, but it doesn't define them. If taken seriously, it can demonstrate readiness for next level challenges. #bfc530
Feel like we have been asked this before ...but I am Blessed enough not to be in a grade that does standard testing ....so I will sit back and enjoy the rest of #bfc530 โs answers.๐ฌ
Simple: You teach Ss to think. You teach them to solve problems, think critically, and connect what they learn to real-world problems they care about & the test scores will be fine. #bfc530
#bfc530 I try to do what I think most of us do: give #students an opportunity to shine outside of a #test score. Recognize their talents, and move on from there.
Make them part of Ss learning journey, a type of formative assessment to help them see their progress, normalize them as part of the learning journey...tough to do #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
Good morning friends, please help my Ss in raising funds to buy a goat for 2 needy families. Mr. Byrne's fundraising page for Heifer International #bfc530https://t.co/t2n5kbJEcB
Don't teach to the test. Know what skills are tested, teach those skills (and more!) and use the test as ONE measure of what was learned and what needs to be revisited. #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
I don't. There was once I time when that was the case, but the current tests were pushed as a way to evaluate teachers rather than improve learning for students & has reduced time for everything but math/language arts. My kids are getting 1/2 an education #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
We believe in balanced assessment, so letโs ensure we promote that belief...with standardized tests being one small part of balanced assessment (observations, conversations, student products). #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
As a nation we have failed in this. We made the mistake of evaluating teachers & schools on test scores, thereby making it important. Stop doing that. Stop it. #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
I used to hear people say teach through the test not to the test. I like that idea. The reality though is that it depends on Socio Economic Status. #bfc530
I look at mandatory testing as a compliance issue- we have to do it, and since we are doing it we can look at the data to see how our kids are doing โ but at the end of the day there are more important things that need to be done each day to help children #bfc530
I don't drink coffee but my wife has to have it first thing in the morning and I get it for her every day when she wakes. I always have Via packets as a backup if the Keurig does not work. #bfc530
Yeah there is that. I teach business & tech so I don't really think about them much professionally. And my own kids I tell not to worry about the. #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
I used to hear people say teach through the test not to the test. I like that idea. The reality though is that it depends on Socio Economic Status. #bfc530
Just like our effectiveness can't be judged on ONE observation of ONE lesson at ONE time during the year, we can't judge a student on ONE test. We all have bad days or days we aren't on top of our game. We aren't a number. They need to know that. #bfc530
Check out Softening the Edges by @KatieWhite426 for lots of brilliant strategies on developing assessment practices that honor the childโand the teacher! https://t.co/Z3t8KJYZnw#bfc530
I lucked out. My last year teaching was the first year my grade had a state test. I didn't mention the test all year until a student raised his hand and asked, "Do we have a test next week?" I shrugged and said, "Don't worry about it. You'll do fine." They did. #bfc530
If we received results in a timely manner & could use them to inform instruction before the following year, then maybe I could see a reason for them. But we donโt & by the time kids come back from summer, itโs too late. #bfc530
As a nation we have failed in this. We made the mistake of evaluating teachers & schools on test scores, thereby making it important. Stop doing that. Stop it. #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
Just like our effectiveness can't be judged on ONE observation of ONE lesson at ONE time during the year, we can't judge a student on ONE test. We all have bad days or days we aren't on top of our game. We aren't a number. They need to know that. #bfc530
At a dinner last night a teacher friend said you can take a few weeks and get kids to cram for any state test and pass. I couldn't help consider the affluence of his school versus mine. #BFC530
I firmly believe that if I teach my standards and engage my kids through quality learning experiences the test score will be there ... sometimes the scores show holes in my teaching other times it shows holes in the test #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
We are not allowed to look at the test answers ... therefore we can never comment on the quality of the test because we not supposed to be looking at the test #bfc530
Part 2. We assess our students A LOT. Why canโt these assessments be used for teacher evaluations as well as for informing instruction? (And yes, I know a big part of the reason...) #bfc530
If educators can focus on the skills and how they scaffold. Then your just covering the learning of skills. Once people keep adding the name of the test and saying because of the test, the context changes. Then the activities comes test driven, not learning. #bfc530
Yes I make a kahoot of past m.c. Qs from our gr9 standardized math test. We play it as formative assessment from time to time, stopping to work through Qs together if many get wrong answer. #bfc530
Nili Bartley tech integration from MA- I try to encourage staff to focus on the journey & the very PIRATE idea that we are here to raise human potential not scores #bfc530
If educators can focus on the skills and how they scaffold. Then your just covering the learning of skills. Once people keep adding the name of the test and saying because of the test, the context changes. Then the activities comes test driven, not learning. #bfc530
In my class, we read b/c it's the most necessary tool in learning, not just history & we write b/c composing our thoughts are needed in history, & we create to bring divergent ideas into a new form. We do it not for standardized tests but b/c its valuable for students #bfc530
Thanks Chris ... it has mostly held true ... I may never have the best scores in the district but my kids learn and will become good citizens. Mission accomplished #bfc530
OK (as I step off my soapbox), How do we do that? Don't have a "passing grade". Evaluate in the 1st week & last week to compare growth. Use the 1st eval to guide instruction. Damn, I am back on the soapbox #bfc530
Nili Bartley tech integration from MA- I try to encourage staff to focus on the journey & the very PIRATE idea that we are here to raise human potential not scores #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
This is indeed a formula for success. Focus on engaging students per things they care about, aligned with your standards. Deep learning - and solid results - will occur. #bfc530
It is hard to explain the concept of a pretest to k-5. They donโt understand why they donโt know any answers and shut down. I just hope they donโt get as frustrated with the post test. #bfc530
Yes! Letโs stress over how to make children readers, how to make learning exciting and how to get kids to love learning. Those are things worth stressing over. Not some random test. #bfc530
Great point. The context of why we're are learning something is so important. Admin need to be aware of that as well when they give context to school goals. Are we teaching kids or improving test scores? #bfc530
Part 2. We assess our students A LOT. Why canโt these assessments be used for teacher evaluations as well as for informing instruction? (And yes, I know a big part of the reason...) #bfc530
Such an approach really tells us how such tests are truly valued...what do the ensuing results really mean? โSuccessfulโ cramming...what kind of learning does that reflect? #bfc530
Having a child who really struggles with standardized testing has made me truly understand how little those scores tell us about growth and understanding. It is so important to meet kids where they are and help them to see growth and feel confident about what they learn. #bfc530
I think vulnerable and risk are somewhat synonymous in this case. It's not always about sharing deep secrets but as ppl have said, challenging urself to fail forward and learn from what was not as successful. Being ok to jump w/out a safety net. #BFC530
To be honest the classes I am in the S have never โplayed to winโ, just as a fun brain break, usually the music or movie category.....and it is usually me who Comes in dead last as my knowledge of fifth harmony and all things considered current pop is Null ๐ฌ๐ #bfc530
We shouldnt complain about politcal candidates when we have reduced Social Studies to triviality. In my daughters district grades 1-5, Soc Stds is only taught for 13 weeks, & if more time is needed for Math/Language Arts, Soc Stds time goes. Thx PARCC test! #bfc530
To be honest the classes I am in the S have never โplayed to winโ, just as a fun brain break, usually the music or movie category.....and it is usually me who Comes in dead last as my knowledge of fifth harmony and all things considered current pop is Null ๐ฌ๐ #bfc530
What a horrific experience. Thank you for sharing it. This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated. You gave me lots to think about. Love who you are! Please tell Azeb that not all white people are racist dumbasses. #bfc530
And how can you use qualitative and quantitative to help define the narrative of your story? How do you make it something that truly encompasses the amazing work being done? #bfc530
In reply to
@mrfieldmanchs, @kmichellehowell, @TracyMailloux
This is so true. Multiple choice tests tell us so little about the child. Sometimes it just means that they are really good or really bad at multiple choice tests. We all have to find how we and our Ss learn and process best. #bfc530
It's insane! I have HS students who have NO Clue what the world looks like. I'm thinking how can I include civics & geography in my technology class regularly!
#bfc530
We shouldnt complain about politcal candidates when we have reduced Social Studies to triviality. In my daughters district grades 1-5, Soc Stds is only taught for 13 weeks, & if more time is needed for Math/Language Arts, Soc Stds time goes. Thx PARCC test! #bfc530
Itโs all about the journey, Its about learning from your mistakes, itโs about not being afraid to fail (First attempt in learning) itโs about learning how to think and problem solve - I donโt see any of that on standardized tests #BFC530
Hi Johanna! For me, when we determine the result is worth the risk we act, but that doesnt come from vulnerability (whose usefulness is it prevents us from being foolhardy) but is born out of confidence, courage, & strength. #bfc530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
I had a student last year fail a state test she apologized because she just filled in random answers so she could go home early. She didn't even read the questions! I do not want to be evaluated by that ๐ฌ #bfc530
This is how much the state of Indiana spends a year (increases annually). Contract increases this amount annually. Of coarse, this does not include teacher salaries to administer. #bfc530
I totally agree with you. Being able to โfail forwardโ is one of the most important skills we can teach. We all fail itโs what we do with that failure that is the learning part. #bfc530
#BFC530 Be a standardized test facilitator: inform Ss of importance, assist Ss in skill set prep to take tests, connect w personal and social lng goals for Ss.
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
Having that insight makes a world of difference. I ask myself everyday am I the teacher I would want for my biological children? Am I compassionate? Am I encouraging? Etc. #bfc530
For sure. It makes the fight a personal one and one that I definitely want to have in order to ensure equity for my child and so many like her. #bfc530
Yes!!! As a k-12 cert. teacher whose primary area is social studies I couldnโt agreee more! Everything we do every single day is connected to all areas of s.s. Kids need to have a deep understanding of that! #bfc530
Well said! We just created a civics course for that very reason...Not only has the subject been reduced, but also farmed out to other disciplines under the guise of non-fiction materials. #bfc530
Hi, #bfc530. Making most of before/after opportunities to tell story of tests in context can illustrate where they fit learning puzzle. This relies on timely results if we aspire to actionable steps on behalf of test takers. If we're testing ed system, that's a different story!
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
First we realized limitations of their use by recognize their limited role in improving learning achievement. Then we de-emphasize their place as the types of assessments driving all other assessments, and recognize classroom formative practice as the driver of growth. #BFC530
Standardized testing is a part of our jobs. How do we emphasize its use as a tool to aide learning and not the overall goal of our students educational experience? #BFC530
