North Carolina is in the middle of a monumental shift in the way we educate and we all know change is painful. As a teacher, my biggest issue is always time. There's the usual stuff like time to grade, time to talk to each student, time actually in class which varies with the weather. What gets to me the most is time to really think about what we are doing & teaching & learning. There is a big push to use "data driven instruction" based on not just test scores, but "formative assessments". I am supportive of this of course because I am a science teacher and data is always welcome in my classroom, however the time factor complicates actually making this happen.
What kind of data? I haven't really seen any except what I collect personally and test scores. Consider what data driven instruction would look like in a perfect world. I'd be handed a portfolio of information for each student on the very first day. It could be modeled after those report cards you get in elementary school.... "plays well with others", "mastered the multiplication tables", etc.... a checklist of academic skills documenting progress from kindergarten on. I would know at the very start of my class who has trouble reading. But other information is important too: "has trouble with authority", "gets easily frustrated", etc..... a checklist of social skills would be just as helpful. In theory, students cumulative folders are supposed to have lots of this stuff, but all I've ever seen is a list of test scores.
Test scores are not very helpful for a few reasons. The biggest reason is that there is no breakdown of trouble areas. If a student scores a 3 on their algebra EOC, that tells me that they have average math skills. But what does that mean? I learned the hard way this year that the seniors in my Physics class were not comfortable re-arranging algebraic equations (what I consider basic algebra) even though they are currently enrolled in Pre-Calculus. So next year I'll have to take the time to give my own math assessment before we even begin to talk about Physics. Not all data is useful and the stuff I've seen so far is a waste of my time. That's why we teachers grumble with new state initiatives. It's not because we don't want to change - it's that we want to make better use of our time because we have so little time to make a difference already.
