Blinded by Data
Teacher A's students just took one of many standardized tests. On this particular test 70% of his class is at goal or above. The 3 other standardized tests this class took show approximately the same percentage. Teacher B's students took the exact same standardized tests with quite different results. Teacher B's class has between 25% to 45% of the class performing at or above goal.
By looking at the achievement occurring in these classrooms, one could assume that Teacher A is a better teacher than Teacher B. He puts in long hours to help his students achieve great academic lengths. Teacher A is employing progressive, alternative teaching strategies. Each of these things very well may be true, but there is plenty that Teacher A's & B's scores are NOT saying. Teacher A's 70% were at / above goal BEFORE entering his classroom. Teacher A's students come from middle & upper - middle class families. Teacher A has less than 10% of his students receiving Free & Reduced Lunch.
Teacher B's 25% - 45% achieving at / above goal were doing so BEFORE entering his classroom. 60% of Teacher B's students receive Free & Reduced Lunch. Another 10% of Teacher B's students qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch, but don't apply. Teacher B's students are visual / spatial learners with a strong mix of musical & kinesthetic (standardized tests are verbal linguistic). Teacher B's students have low social & academic self - esteem; having grown accustomed to (over the years) being spoken to in a negative manner with limited positive feedback. When Teacher B's students were tested, they were starving & struggling to concentrate on the test matter ~ they were requesting a snack but denied because there is a no-eating rule during standardized tests.
Can we trust data? Is it an accurate picture of our students' abilities? Can we evaluate teachers based on their students' test scores? Should Teacher B seek advice from Teacher A because his students are higher achievers? Are we so blinded by numbers that we can't see the students, the human beings that inhabit our classrooms everyday?
By looking at the achievement occurring in these classrooms, one could assume that Teacher A is a better teacher than Teacher B. He puts in long hours to help his students achieve great academic lengths. Teacher A is employing progressive, alternative teaching strategies. Each of these things very well may be true, but there is plenty that Teacher A's & B's scores are NOT saying. Teacher A's 70% were at / above goal BEFORE entering his classroom. Teacher A's students come from middle & upper - middle class families. Teacher A has less than 10% of his students receiving Free & Reduced Lunch.
Can we trust data? Is it an accurate picture of our students' abilities? Can we evaluate teachers based on their students' test scores? Should Teacher B seek advice from Teacher A because his students are higher achievers? Are we so blinded by numbers that we can't see the students, the human beings that inhabit our classrooms everyday?
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