{"id":387,"date":"2014-02-26T12:17:27","date_gmt":"2014-02-26T17:17:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/coe\/?p=387"},"modified":"2014-02-26T12:17:27","modified_gmt":"2014-02-26T17:17:27","slug":"transforming-education-february-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/coe\/2014\/02\/26\/transforming-education-february-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Transforming Education – February 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are Standardized Tests the Super Bowl of Education?<\/strong>
\n<\/b>
\n\"Ena-Shelley12\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Friends,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I, like many, have a great deal of respect for Peyton Manning. He has achieved much as a football player and has shared his success with others, including his tremendous support for a Central Indiana children’s hospital.<\/p>\n

While he is no longer an Indianapolis Colt, Peyton provided a reason for many local football fans to still have a rooting interest in this year\u2019s Super Bowl. Yet, earlier this month we saw a lopsided outcome to that game featuring two teams that had, up until that point, been equally competitive in their respective divisions. In fact, most media and spectators had the Broncos as the \u201cfavorites.\u201d Despite all predictive indicators, the finish showed that even a great team and great players can have a bad game.<\/p>\n

As the Super Bowl game slipped away from the grasp of Peyton and his team, I began to wonder what the ultimate outcome would be for this player and this team if current education policies were applied.<\/p>\n

With the loss of the game, would Peyton have been evaluated as \u201cineffective\u201d and put on an \u201cimprovement plan\u201d with the understanding that his future scores had to rise significantly, or he and his coaches would be dismissed? Despite all other forms of evaluation, would he have missed the cut-off for a \u201cPass\u201d or \u201cPass Plus\u201d rating as a league quarterback?<\/p>\n

And, even though the Denver Broncos had to win many games in order to earn the right to be in the Super Bowl, would this one game be the only data point to determine if the team would receive an \u201cA-F\u201d grade?<\/p>\n

Peyton and his teammates were obviously having a bad day.<\/p>\n

This one game is what the ISTEP exam is like for many children.<\/p>\n

In reviewing Peyton\u2019s performance, some would say that \u201che couldn\u2019t handle the pressure,\u201d yet Peyton is an adult who has multiple life experiences to handle such situations.<\/p>\n

Think about the amount of pressure we put on children as they set aside normal classroom lessons and practice for the <\/strong>test. Schools direct students to get extra rest for the<\/strong> test, and eat a better breakfast because of the <\/strong>test. Teachers feel and reflect anxiety that their students and schools could be publicly identified as \u201cfailing.\u201d Then we wonder why students fall apart on the day of the <\/strong>test.<\/p>\n

The Super Bowl wasn\u2019t an accurate reflection of all Peyton could do, but if he were a student in Indiana, his performance on that one day and one moment in time could have dire consequences. In an interview after the game, a reporter asked Peyton if he was embarrassed by his performance and that of his team.<\/p>\n

He rightfully replied that, to say it was an embarrassment dishonored all the team had accomplished to get to the final game.<\/p>\n

I immediately thought of all of the teachers who help students make progress and strides in their growth, only to come up short because of the measurements and scores that have been put in place. They are made to feel embarrassed rather than honored for all they have accomplished.<\/p>\n

I wonder what would happen if educators stood strong, like Peyton, in their conviction to be proud of their accomplishments and refused to be judged solely by one game, one moment in time. How can we change the scoreboard of education? Perhaps the first step is honoring the victories, accomplishments, and successes that happen every day.<\/p>\n

So, as we leave football season and enter testing \u201cseason,\u201d please help us define your work and the work of your students by more than just a number, more than just \u201cone game.\u201d Post your successes on Facebook<\/b><\/a> and Twitter<\/b><\/a> using #greatteachingIN, #BUCOEimpact, and @ButlerCOE to get the word out about what is right in education and the fact that one test should not be the Super Bowl of Education.<\/p>\n

Until next month,<\/p>\n

Dr. Ena Shelley<\/em>
\nDean, College of Education<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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