OT! And THIS is why there should be facebook at my school.......

I am soooo unbelievably bored!!!!!!!  For a change - the School District of Philadelphia insists on testing our students to death!  Today I am administering what is called a "predictive test"  A prediction of what I am sure you are all wondering - well - to be totally honest - so am I!  I THOUGHT that it was to predict how the students will do on the PSSA (The state standardized test - DON'T get me started on THAT crap.)  however, the material on the test is material that I have not even covered yet - some of it doesn't even come up in the currirulum for a few months.  Believe me - my students WILL know the material when it is taught - so they are asking me great questions that I can not answer - I have advised them that they WILL learn it and I had to apologize for the questions.  I just don't get it.  I get so frustrated when my students are frustrated - especially when it has NOTHING to do with them!  UGH!

This whole week has been preparing for the test and then taking the test - there was very little new material being taught this week - sprinkle in four assemblies of High Schools coming in to sell their program and one half day and you can only imagine what the week has been like.  It is no wonder we are always rushing to get through the material.  There are so many interruptions.  One wonders how these kids ever get to be productive adults. 

That is all - bored and needed to rant - I LOVE LOVE LOVE to teach - this other crap makes we wonder why I do this job.....And in just a few weeks - more standardized tests....can't wait!

Hi Steffi,

Maybe the tests are to see what they know now and then towards the end of the year they'll be given the same test to see what they have learned.  Tests them and you on your teaching skills.  Which I am sure you are an awesome teacher!! 

By the way, I've been listening to the news about the whole Philly paramedics thing.  I think of your hubby every time.  Hope things are going ok.  Sounds very fishy from what I have heard.  Doesn't sound like the mayor knows what the heck he's talking about.  But what else is new there!

Take care.  Have a great weekend.  Hopefully your girls will not be at each other's throats this afternoon!

Cyd

I hate those tests... HATE THEM... as a student who could never get help from her teachers and because of that never knew I had a ton of learning disabilities... i hate those stupid tests!!!!  Sorry they don't show if you are smart or not... they just show you can play the test game... hate them!  Totally would like to see them banned forever!  Also hate the SAT and ACT... an will never get my masters because of those stupid tests to get in...

Ok vent off... I say bring in a laptop and play the sims lol