As I am getting ready for my 3rd MTTC test. It made me realize HOW MUCH I HATE TESTS! Besides the fact that they want me to spend an additional $40+ on a study guide, the test is just annoying. As I'm reading the test questions I just think about my students and how when they take their MEAP tests how they might feel. I have been going to an accredited college for 4 years, shouldn't my grades/classes I'm taking qualify me to become a teacher? Why is it that an engineer doesn't have to take a test but once he/she graduates is considered an engineer yet- we teachers have to take multiple tests after we have been learning in our classes that tests aren't always the best way of measuring a students ability? Maybe I'm just cranky about taking a test on a Saturday- but why are we learning one method and then practicing a different one?
What would be a better way for us to be tested on what we know as teachers?
I agree. Taking the MTTC was quite annoying and when I took it I choose to take 2 in the 4 hour time span which was draining. While I think that having teachers take a standardized test is somewhat hypocritical of what we're taught as future teachers it's the easiest way with SO many people wanting to become teachers. With this being said I don't think it's the best method either. Perhaps having teacher candidates prepare and teach a lesson and then present it to a board and discuss it and their teaching philosophy. This could become very time consuming but it gives you a better feel for the way a person teaches. Unfortunately though I don't think the MTTC will be going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI must be an idiot because I will have to take mine for a third time. The first time I had a head cold and totally bombed (by like 100 points - couldn't concentrate on the Q's). The last time I failed to pass by 4 points. So now I have to take it again. I passed the basic skills with flying colors, I passed the elementary ed one the same way, now I'm on the sped test for emotional impairment, which is my major, and I keep failing it! I don't think I can handle failing it a 3rd time - that would be just nuts. I think RachelD is right - have a panel of "experts" watch me do my teaching thing and THEN tell me I'm not qualified. Nothing feels worse than having a computerized system tell me I'm a failure in the one area I've been studying for the last 3 years. sorry to blather on about this, but I just found out I failed and I'm sort of pissed. I've been looking for a place to rant because I don't want to break any of my things, and I don't want to whine to my friends. But you are absolutely right - it is a hypocritical system that needs some serious and thorough revamping - the whole education system does, actually.
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