State Testing... The Bane of Our Existence!

In this episode, we talk about all the reasons teachers can't stand state testing season! 

Listen to the podcast anywhere you stream your favorite shows!

[ashleyr]

It wouldn't surprise me if they purposely trip the kids up on the test. That is how testing companies justify their existence. "See you need more testing because the kids are clearly not being taught everything they need to know".

[brisebastiano]

Not a teacher, don't have kids, yet I'm oddly obsessed with y'all's content😂🤷🏻‍♀️

[sharkyperforms]

Dude hearing a teacher say “does anyone else feel like these tests are designed to trick children?” Was like 🤯🤯 because I always thought that as a kid. I’m a straight A student, I got 100s on everything, my IQ in school (IQs do change and I haven’t been tested being out of school) was 135 and state testing questions would always throw me off and make me think “this is a trick question, this has to be a trick question” it pissed me off so much like being able to see through it and know they were just trying to mess us up like tf?

[djanne]

I didn't attend school in the US, and listening to some of these stories is wild. The first standardized test I took in my life was my AP exams. I can't imagine taking standardized testing in elementary school

[jonahsmith]

I would love to listen to an episode where you bring in P.E., art or music teachers. I feel like they would be able to address misconceptions people have about their classes. As a current P.E. teacher I know the stereotypes P.E. teachers get all the time

[ccw]

As a Pre-K teacher I never brought in more than $25, 000. I also bought all my teaching supplies and I had to pay all my own continuing education.

[carypeterson]

I was watching an interview of a poet whose poem was used for one of our tests in Texas. They had her answer the test questions for her poem. She got to one of them and stopped. She looked at the question and answer choices and knew what the correct answer was supposed to be, but the poet said that that wasn’t what she meant when she wrote the poem. !!! That’s one reason of many why this state testing is a joke!!

[starbucks_satan_mug]

I did TCAPs all last week, and still have two left: science and history. The teachers have been doing fun stuff with us all day after the test for the day is over. I can’t think of ANYONE who likes state testing.

[annjeffery]

Since the testing doesn't count for or against the students, they have absolutely NO incentive to try. It counts for teachers, teacher pay, school funding, etc, but the kids don't have to care.

Also, when the teacher is watching the students test, how hard is it for kids to wait until you pass before they cheat again.

The security levels are utterly RIDICULOUS! We can't even store the tests in a locked room if anyone (including custodians) have a key that can unlock the door. We have to confirm the individual test numbers when we pick them, have students sign them in and out, then confirm the same test numbers when we check them in again. If I bring them and no one comes in or exits the room, why do I need to be reconfirming the numbers so many times???

[kinleywhatever]

as a kid it felt so freaking scary taking standardized testing, i was so so so scared of messing something up, def one of my first memories of having anxiety

[Ra]

My junior year, I had one of the "better" math teachers. He was older, was part of the regional teachers' union, etc. He showed no fear of admin. We had over thirty kids in the class, and we were all on drastically different levels. He never posted the standards. The day of state testing, he just said, "Do your best, but this state exam wasn't made for you."

[CabcrysBac]

That's so funny you said to count the ceiling tiles. I volunteered for proctor and in the training he goes "no books puzzles. count the ceiling tiles. guess sq footage" And I was like have mercy on me for those 3hrs. I'm in MS.

[gwenmothaar]

When I was I 6th grade, one of my admin thought 'Hey, we should put up a tree where the students can put up a leaf that has their name on it and if they get this score they get two If they get this score they get three, if they get this score they get one and if they get this score, they get no leaf.' And the other admin thought it was a good idea.

So here's little 6th grade me, already hates any normal test and is worried for the state testing. I studied and thought I was doing a good job. Then here's the last question and I'm a nervous reck, very very suspenseful waiting for my test score. Then here comes the test score and I went down in my state testing. I was disappointed in myself.

My teacher called up the students who got 3, 2, and 1 leaves up to her table and I didn't get called.

I walked past that dumb tree everyday. And was so incredibly disappointed in myself because of admin who thought it was a good idea.

That messed me up until 8th grade.

[princetydy]

I didn't graduate high school, well get my diploma because I couldn't pass the Reading was Fcat when I started taking it, but then they changed it to the EOC and still never passed. Teachers taught me all they needed to, it was just me who couldn't pass the test. I got all my other graduation qualifications except passing that test. I got to walk thankfully

[jawnnysins]

there was a trial test in new jersey my senior year, none of the students or teachers wanted it, and a lot of students in my high school that took it purposefully bombed the test to keep it from being permanent. it was glorious

[Grape]

Dear NC, trying to have a "almost teacher" and a "teacher teacher" isn't going to fix anything, maybe if NC and all the other 49 other states in the U.S respected and payed teacher what they deserve then maybe there wouldn't be such a problem

[elliel]

I took the PSAT last week, it was fine but they didn't let us read a book when we were done even though they specifically told us to bring one.

[LifeOfCandice]

I had a guidance counselor who wanted me to go to summer school because my test scores were on the lower side despite being an honor roll student. My mom explained that I get test anxiety and this counselor looks at me and says "well don't get anxiety and we won't be in this situation." Now to be honest I am surprised my mom didn't say something but instead we sit in silence for a few seconds and then I look at my mom and I say "who knew, all I had to do was come here and now my anxiety is magically gone, I am healed." When I tell you, that guidance counselor looked at my mom and said "are you going to let your daughter speak to me like that" and my answered with "better her than me because trust me, we aren't friends right now." Needless to say, I did not go to summer school and the following year, she left me alone. It was a proud moment for my mom because for once I stood up for myself.

I tried on the test, I truly did, I just got so overwhelmed, plus they were timed. Sadly, I wasn't on IEP so I didn't special accommodations for testing. Otherwise I may have done better in a smaller room with a longer time limit.

[ashleighgriffin]

Yes, in elementary school state testing was the best. I wouldn’t even eat breakfast those days because our class moms would bring in snacks and I’d go nuts. Like the generic granola bar and then we’d get the huge Costco muffins and candy as “fuel” because breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I hated that you had to wait for a teacher to walk you to the bathroom though (mainly middle and high school) as if you were going to cheat like no bruh we’re checking social media and texting our friends what we’re going to get for lunch and how dumb the test is.

[lisamendes]

Where has Mr. Williams been? I love your podcast and look forward to a new episode every week. I follow all of you!