today's lesson: what no-testing schools could do for our kids

In all schools we have ISATs, SATs, ACTs, ELAs, writing assessments, and reading comprehension exams. In all schools we have frustrated teachers, satisfied teachers, students both bright and not-so-bright, deadlines, goals, structure—to some degree. Finding room for all of the above seems to be the impossible paradigm.

One school in New York tried something unheard of and utterly shameful to education in this day and age…a “No Testing Week.” Not a single test was issued to a single student for an entire week. The result? Happy teachers. Happy students. A reminder of the difference between testing and assessing. A reminder of how the American education system can be great.

On that same week, the principal of the school received a letter from the New York Board of Education outlining the new testing days that were to take place in the school. For two days, two hours each day, third through eighth graders would take timed tests that would assess their knowledge over a plethora of subjects. Yadda, Yadda. Sincerely, those who “care” about our students.

How ironic

Not surprisingly, the school was a little disheartened. Peter DeWitt wrote in an article that “for one week it felt like we won. Students and teachers were engaged in real learning, where every moment that surrounded them was an educational opportunity.”

Then they returned to reality. The issue here is not whether or not testing should be completely eliminated in the public education system, but rather, how far is too far when it comes to testing. How much is too much? When do we stop caring about our ranking in the world and start caring about individual student’s needs?

“No Testing Week was a time to reflect on why we teach children and get a better understanding of what truly matters in education. Teaching all learners, regardless of whether they are a 1,2,3 or 4 on a high stakes test, is why we entered the profession in the first place,” wrote DeWitt.

The issue continues to swirl in and out of every school in the U.S. and the answer is nowhere to be found. “Moderation,” some say. “Elimination,” shout others. “Education,” I say. Education. Let’s focus on the students and not on their scores.  Let’s get back to what really matters, shall we?