Student learning more important than single NCLB test, Almont teacher tells U.S. senators
Almont teacher Sigrid Grace at the nation's Capitol.
For Almont EA member Sigrid Grace, good teaching encompasses much more than preparing students for a single high-stakes standardized test required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
“I have a higher goal than testing—it’s student learning,” Grace told U.S. Senate members on the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, chaired by Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, in Washington, D.C., on May 23.
“We want our students to become life-long learners, not life-long test takers. Learning is more important than testing.”
Grace was the only active classroom teacher who spoke at the hearing, one of many being held this year as Congress prepares to reauthorize the No Child act. NEA President Reg Weaver also addressed the senators, but relinquished most of his time to Grace.
While few would argue with NCLB’s laudable goal of high achievement for all students, most educators believe No Child should use multiple measures of student learning rather than relying on a one-day snapshot taken from a standardized test.
“We need to use a mixture of approaches to educate the whole child,” said Grace, a second-grade teacher.
The emphasis to succeed on the single high-stakes test is so extreme that it reduces the time teachers and students can devote to other valuable subjects, including science, history, art and music, she said.
“Too much pressure to academically succeed on a high-stakes test is being pushed on young children at developmentally inappropriate ages,” Grace said. “It’s frustrating and discouraging.”
She also charged that the high-stakes tests can be a cruel experience for special education and bilingual children.
“As teachers, we have already identified differences for special education children through individual testing, and it’s unfortunate to have them sit among other students to take the high-stakes test,” Grace said. “I’ve seen bilingual kids struggle to read the test, making noises trying to sound out words. It’s just not right.”
Grace told senators that schools need more funding to implement the mandates of the NCLB Act.
“It’s definitely underfunded, and that’s heartbreaking, because we need the resources to help children who are struggling to improve.”
More funding could help reduce class sizes and provide additional hours for teacher aides, Grace said.
“It’s common sense—we need to have reasonable class sizes so we can give more individual attention to students who are having difficulties,” she said.
At her own school, Orchard Primary in Almont, Grace shares an aide with three other teachers. “I only have the aide for seven hours a week, and that’s not enough. It’s frustrating and discouraging.”
Grace’s comments at the Senate hearing resonated with Almont parents and school employees. “I was surprised by the number of parents and school employees who thanked me,” Grace said. “Parents are not happy with No Child Left Behind.”
She said all school employees, as well as parents, should make their voices heard on the deficiencies of No Child Left Behind.
“All of us need to start speaking up.”