We have started the mandated state testing for high schools. This past week we spent 3 hours on Tuesday taking language arts and 3 hours on Wednesday with social science. I am fortunate as I am testing all 11th graders so all the materials were the same. Some classrooms had as many as three sets of tests, one for each grade level.
Since we spend the three hours in testing during the morning, lunch comes earlier and then afterwards we have four periods, yet out of order. Tuesday was periods 5, 6, and 1; Wednesday was periods 2, 3, 4, 7. This next week we will do it again, taking math tests on Tuesday, and science tests on Wednesday.
This chaotic schedule came on the heels of our grade distribution night, where the teachers set up shop in the school’s gym from 3 to 7 (after teaching all day) for parents to pick up quarterly grades and meet with teachers. Then it’s back to school at 7 the next morning to pick up testing materials, set up the classroom, and squeeze as much out of the time as possible.
I am not proctoring on Tuesday as that is our senior portfolio day for business students. Although a big deal for our department, the rest of the school ignores what we do. No other department has a culminating activity for its students unless you count IB tests, for which the school does make a HUGE, BIG, DEAL.
My marketing students presented their business plans to Fresno State University people at the end of the week and the multimedia students are working on a big project for a local nonprofit. Even with the testing, we keep teaching school. Sort of like building the airplane in midair, during flight.
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