Whether you like standardized tests or not, there’s no harm in doing well on them.
Joylene Wagner, president of the Glendale Unified school board, cited students’ success as a consequence of teachers working collectively to improve scores on a holistic basis.
The well-rounded improvement, in areas such as history, science and English, shows that the approach is working on the testing level, and Wagner’s words suggest the aim goes far beyond what the federal government requires.
“This isn’t teaching to the test,” she said. “This is teaching to improve their [students’] future so they will be able to apply for good jobs in the future.”
No Child Left Behind isn’t the first initiative introduced by the government that forced public school teachers to tweak their curricula, and it certainly won’t be the last.
We’re confident that our teachers will continue to work with what administrators and government officials require while continuing to use tried-and-true classroom methods that prepare children for the real world.
Teaching is among the most socially important jobs in the community, and any excuse to thank teachers for their work is well worth exercising.
As a new school year and new presidential administration approaches, let’s hope teachers continue to help students succeed on whatever the test of the day is with an eye toward overall growth.
As psychologist Carl Jung said, “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
While children continue to do well with the raw material, teachers also deserve thanks for keeping them inspired.
