Crunch Time

So as the CRCT is upon us, classroom instruction has become a very eye opening experience. The ordinary day has gone from fun creative activities, to constant practice tests. I can't tell you how many times I have heard a teacher say that "if for nothing else, these practice tests will help them with test taking endurance". Our school system has become such a sad reality, and I truly just don't even know where to turn to place the blame. I know that the blame game really won't do the trick, but someone needs to be held accountable for this type of learning/teaching that we have turned to. We have learned in ALL of our classes that teaching to the tests is not effective; however, there is so much pressure coming from the district, from the administrators, and from the teachers... all the way down to the students. I hope that as a future teacher, I will be able to withstand the pressure coming from my administrators, and I will always choose the path that is in the best interest of my students. However, I do think that is much easier said than done. I sympathize for the teachers and administrators who feel like the CRCT is the end all be all. Our system is in a rut, and we need to find change. And we need to find it quickly for the sake of our students.