Staying Focused as Testing Season Squeezes Closer

     As the state mandated testing window gets closer, our focus must become more narrowed.  So, how do we make the most of the few days we have left?  

     If we are data driven sites, then we use data to drive instruction.  Which standards are bubble standards?  Meaning, which standards do our students almost know at the expected pass rate?  For English II and Algebra 1, we’ve set our pass rate at 70%.  We want to make sure our students are prepared to pass the EOI no matter the cut score or rigor.  If you are at a site that does not use data to drive instruction, you know your students, and you know which areas they need additional instruction. 

    Whether or not your site is data driven, the instruction must be engaging and real world focused.  I am not a believer in drill and kill - though it does have its place - I’m a believer in passionate teachers making their content engaging through interesting topics and engaging activities where students are working with and struggling to apply the instruction given.  Allowing students to struggle collaboratively with real world application makes instruction engaging.  

     Learning is not always and should not always be modeled by the teacher.  As teachers, we know teaching is the best way to learn, and - as one of my teachers mentioned last week - should be in level 4 of DoK - Extended Strategic Thinking.  Allowing students to become problem solvers together, to team up to figure out how to find what is required from class is not only real world, authentic learning, but it is engaging.  

     Nonetheless, to make lessons like this work, it takes many hours of pre-planning - including preparing differentiation strategies, grouping students to work productively together, and to make sure the lesson/unit relates the work to real world application.   Additionally, the teacher must be up and rotating through student groups to make sure they are on task, to ask leading questions to guide students who have hit a wall, and to encourage deeper thinking for those who finish early.  

     With the cranky weather, the days feeling longer, and the stress of testing looming over our heads - this is NOT the time to give up.  This is the time to dig in, reach deep, and move inch by inch to increase student learning.  I believe in my teachers, I believe in public education, and I believe in Oklahoma educators!  Let’s make it happen!