Reading Response for Class on 2/7

NCTE Standards 

I have used these standards before in writing lesson plans for a few of my methods courses, but I noticed something today when I went back and read them again. The words "wide range," "variety," and "diversity" are used numerous times. These standards give teachers plenty of choice for lessons in classroom. I believe that the way they are written really emphasizes learning over testing or results. The standards talk about bigger picture ideas: communicating effectively, gaining greater knowledge of the world and its many cultures, etc. Standard 10 sticks out to me, how it considers students who might not have english as a first language. I LOVE the statement: "make use of their first language to develop competency in the English language." This is so incredibly important! I was in an ELL classroom for tutoring during FNED and I couldn't believe how the teacher simply dismissed the students' native languages. She didn't want them being used in the classroom, didn't want them being spoken at all.

I do believe in emersion. My cousins recently moved from the US to the Netherlands and the youngest, who is four years old, made a friend who was originally from England. He wasn't picking up the Dutch language as quickly as he should because his friend kept speaking to him in English. However, when my aunt and uncle asked her parents to have her speak to him in Dutch, it seemed effortless for him to learn. I think this is what some teachers are going for when they try to restrict a student's use of native language in the classroom, but they often go about it incorrectly. A student should never feel as if their culture or language is lesser than another. They should feel always feel included in the classroom environment.

CCSS Standards 

The CCSS Standards are much more specific than the NCTE Standards. Instead of speaking in generalizations, they highlight specific literary techniques and devices the students much master. The CCSS standards also seem to focus on different writings (ie. narrative, informational) and the key ideas within or involving those text types. I feel like the CCSS standards are more helpful in guiding specific lessons while the NCTE standards are broader, helping to guide learning in the classroom and  guide the teacher's perspectives on writing and reading.

"Rhode Island Teachers Respond to PARCC: A White Paper"by Janet D. Johnson and Brittany A. Richer

Let's consider "The Problem" - while constantly hearing about the "achievement gap," this is the first time I've been introduced to the "consequence gap." I strongly agree that "a student’s race and socioeconomic status (SES) strongly predicts his or her academic achievement" and that standardized tests like PARCC fail to take this into account. This brings me back to a class discussion we had a few weeks ago where my classmates and I struggled when considering a situation where the reality was that it was the system's fault. I feel as if we are taught to blame everything but the system. Acts are put into place but are constantly failing, with little to no effect. How do we fight a system that gives so little attention to teachers and their opinions for the classroom? 

I like that this text discusses teacher perspective. Honestly, if standardized tests considered teacher perspective, there would be no standardized tests, or they would at least look drastically different. I found the survey information collected incredibly telling, from both students and teachers. I never considered the computer/typing aspect of this test until reading the complaints in this text. I remember learning typing in middle school. Before that, I had very little knowledge of computers. To have elementary students first, worrying about a test and second, trying to complete a test when they can't figure out a keyboard, is ridiculous. 

Considering PARCC's effect on teaching is critical- and I found this text accurately describes what I would expect. It worries me that teachers feel "powerlessness and de­professionaliz[ed]" because I know I'll most likely be in that position one day. I do, however, appreciate that this text offers possible solutions that don't seem too wild or far fetched; most stem off simply having more teacher involvement in the bureaucratic process. I think it's important that the conversation on standardized tests continues. I know for me, we took NECAP tests instead of PARCC, so I feel a little unfamiliar with these new tests. I want to prepare myself for the test I'll be administering to my students, which means texts like these are incredibly helpful.