To the tune of the test
A while back I came across a music video about education by Grammy Award-winning musician Tom Chapin.
The song is called “Not On The Test,” a topic I thought might be appropriate to address as Oklahoma students take state-mandated exams this month.
Here’s what the publicly schooled Chapin has to say in a statement about his song:
“Music, art, drama and sports — these are what kept me involved when I was in school. And these very things that make a teacher’s (and student’s) job easier and more rewarding are what’s been cut from curriculums across the country.
“Now we are teaching by rote again — where the test, and only the test, becomes the reason to teach and study.”
Do you agree? Take a listen to Chapin’s song at www.NotOnTheTest.com and share your feedback here on the Education Station blog at http://blog.newsok.com/educationstation.
Wendy K. Kleinman
Education Reporter
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I am so glad that you have posted this link. I am a student, a representative (in the form of a State Officer) in a CareerTech Student Organization, and both of my parents teach at my High School. Needless to say, I am exposed to the public school system. A lot.
I would like to voice my opinion about this: No Child Left Behind and focus on testing is, in my opinion, bringing up a generation of students who truly do not know the meaning of independent thinking. Those who do are very lucky to have someone other than the average educator there to push them forward.
I myself recently took the Algebra I End-Of-Instruction Exam. While I do understand the need for testing, it is completely unfair to punish teachers for the scores of their students. There are some students who simply do not wish to learn and will not try. They are going to make low scores regardless of the teacher’s skill.
To dock the pay of the School staff or to not renew their contract because of these children is absolutely ludicrous. Anyone who supports these measures obviously has not been very involved in the Public Education system.
So, we are taking out technology, art, drama, music, and anything with culture. We are also taking out organizations that need any sort of funds. These are organizations that provide education and skills for our future workforce.
So since we are cutting out culture and freethinking, what is left? Drones? I dread the future. Hopefully there are enough people left who care that can lead the others…Because (even though some of these people are perfectly nice) I don’t want them leading anything.
Chris
chriswcollins.com