PED NM Did Not Meet Testing Deadlines

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Friday April 24, 2015 · 11:49 AM PDT

2015/04/24 · 11:49

The Public Education Department of New Mexico did not meet its deadlines for developing End Of Course exams, an exit exam for graduating seniots and a standardized measure of teacher efficacy. Albuquerque Public Schools were pressured to administer the tests, even though it was announced that it would be impossible to reproduce all of the exams for all grade levels in time for the testing deadline window.

Once again, teachers and students bear the bront of the chaos.

IvoryTusk

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Sunday April 19, 2015 · 10:59 PM PDT

2015/04/19 · 22:59

It is always a gamble to post anything on the Internet; there are many who will question what you say, what you believe, and even what you do as a profession or your expertise to write on a particular topic. I have run into this a few times, but none so viciously as here on the Kos, when I was simply stating what life is like for me as a teacher. While I will not state anything specifically to any given troll, I did want to take the time to confront the challenge of receiving a small slap of bitterness.

IvoryTusk

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Wednesday April 15, 2015 · 9:35 PM PDT

2015/04/15 · 21:35

Every state in the nation has its own set of regulations regarding Value Added Measures (VAM) for determining a school's and teacher's evaluation. Furthermore, every state has its own set of parameters for determining Student Achievement Meaures (SAMs) in the classroom as well. I can only speak for the state where I teach, and where I am a parent of 3 children.

When I talk about the over testing of students, many of my friends and acquaintances think I am only speaking about the PARCC. The PARCC is only one test in a long list of many. I can't help but think about the time when I was in high school and how much things have changed since then.

IvoryTusk

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Saturday April 11, 2015 · 4:46 PM PDT

2015/04/11 · 16:46

In a diary I wrote that was intended to speak about ways we could mitigate the effects of vilifying educators, a side conversation occurred in which my own teaching ability/credentials were questioned, along with how students with severe disabilities are both educated and tested in schools. In my school district, the Special Education category given to such students in education for the severely disabled is called ISP: Intensive Support Program. This is different than students with Emotionally Disturbed diagnoses (abbreviated ED, which causes a chuckle in the male medical community), Behaviorally Disturbed (BD), Autisim, and Cross-Categorical, which covers a variety of learning and behavioral disabilities, and which used to be treated at separate levels (A-D based on severity, but as a cost cutting measure have been lumped together since the onset of NCLB).

During this conversation, the question was raised, why are students who are non-verbal and in supportive wheelchairs even allowed in schools? As naive as this question may sound, it is one that is posed more frequently among politicians, school districts, advocates and communities in general--especially in the current system of the increasing volume and content of high-stakes testing.

IvoryTusk

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Wednesday April 08, 2015 · 10:20 AM PDT

2015/04/08 · 10:20

I just finished teaching a World War II unit in my World History classroom this week. ( If you want to know more about my work as a teacher, read my diary entitled "A Day in the Life of an Inner City School Teacher.)

In that lesson, I focused primarily on Martin Niemoller, and what his extraordinary words mean in current political situations.

When we think about the ramifications of passing specific laws, we only have to look at how discrimination was treated in the past...In our own nation, we have the bleak history of internment camps, Jim Crow, and specific laws that still make it near impossible for anyone to prosper while living on the Native American reservations.

We looked at why laws are passed in the first place. Laws are never passed when "things are good;" they are always passed because of some social and political tension. In the case of laws that uphold discrimination, we are walking a very slippery slope. My students were quick to point it out, and it compelled me to do some reflection.

I said it in a comment as well, but the best way to turn a struggle into a positive outcome is to be willing to stand up in opposition to the voices crying out in hatred and in fear.

IvoryTusk

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Sunday April 05, 2015 · 12:45 AM PDT

2015/04/05 · 00:45

Several years ago, I was asked to speak at an event at the Santa Fe Mountain Center about my experiences within the LGBT community. It was around National Coming Out Day on October 9, and I had the honor to be asked to speak as one who came out as a Straight Ally, what it means, and what its implications are. Since then, I have been told to share my words with a broader audience. Perhaps the Kos is just that platform.

IvoryTusk

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday April 04, 2015 · 9:07 PM PDT

2015/04/04 · 21:07

I see a lot of really fantastic work on the Kos regarding the incredible work that teachers do, and those amazing individuals who support the work we do and the schools their children attend every day. Not too long ago, I was asked the following question by an average person in my community: "I do not have any children, and I do not have any stake really within the educational system. How do I let teachers know I support their work?" I told her even a simple donation of pens and pencils would be a huge thing, especially this time of year. She was aghast! "Really? Just pens?" I said absolutely! We don't have the resources to replenish supplies, and much of what we have been able to carefully hoard has been used up by now. She said at this point, "I really wish I knew more about what you faced every day."

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PED NM Did Not Meet Testing Deadlines

A Small Contemplation

Value Added Measures and Over Testing Students

Educational Equality, High Stakes Testing, and Why I Don't Teach Special Education

If I were Living In Springfield, Missouri

It Should Never Hurt to Be Yourself

A Day in the Life of an Inner City High School Teacher