Standardized Testing

As we get closer to M-Day (also known as MEAP testing) here in Michigan, the pressure is on to prep our students to the ultimate level. But how do you do that with limited time, limited resources, and kids who have had it with standardized testing being rammed down their throats?

I can't say that I blame the kids. Although I always enjoyed the standardized tests that I took as a student, I don't remember the kind of pressure to succeed that they are facing. AYP has replaced 'do your best'. When I questioned my 9th graders, who will be taking the social studies MEAP in mid-October, as to how many of them simply 'bubble' in answers without reading the question, almost 90% of my students raised their hands. Their reasons varied: questions were too hard (I agree), answers made no sense or were similar enough to cause confusion (again, agreed), just don't care. Even the knowledge that the test was worth money ($2,500 for doing well on the 11th grade test, with bonuses for both 7th and 8th grade) just don't seem to be enough incentive to do well, especially for children who aren't even sure they'll make it to college.

Is there an answer? I definitly think that MEAP test, and tests like it, are weighted against the urban students that I teach. As a history teacher in Detroit, a group of fellow social studies teachers and I took the high school social studies test, and failed! The test is written in archaic language, and in many cases has no relevance to our students. Perhaps not having the test written by people in the state who haven't been inside a classroom in 20 years would help. Or, maybe having students on the committee that designs the test might make the relevance of the test more immediate. I do know this-the students will not succeed if the deck continues to be stacked against them.