Case Book Four

Nelson Quiock has called a class meeting. He is concerned with the way his students are approaching the upcoming testing that determines their placements into high school classes. He has decided to talk with his students about their issues and concerns about testing.

MR. QUIOCK: Okay, this class meeting's now in session. What is said here, stays here, as always. You all know that the yearly achievement testing is coming up in a few weeks. I want to help you all do really well on the testing. I need to know what you are thinking about the testing, so we can all help each other do really well on it, get past the ghosts of previous testing!

S1: The ghosts!. They haunt me every testing.

S2: Mr. Quiock, this is silly. You know we're not good at testing. We stink at testing. Why do you make us do it again?

S3: Isn't it better if we just skip the tests?

S4: Or, just color in the dots. I think I did better coloring in the dots on the last testing than actually reading the test!

S5: I hate this time of year. Everyone worries about how we do on the tests, and no one helps us do better.

S6: Yeah, I would love to have someone tell me how to take the test. I mean really, not that silly thing of eliminating answers that don't work. I look at a test and I just can't do that. I need a different plan.

S7: Mr. Q, you said you need to know what we are thinking about the testing. I don't think I am alone. I think testing is unfair. It asks stuff that is history, and not part of our world. We don't have any say in the tests. Who writes those things? Why don't they ask stuff that is real and important to all of us? Everything is history through the eyes of the puritan pilgrim. I just can't relate to the tests.

S8: I agree!

S9: Me, too. You said it. Mr. Q, what can we do to change the tests?

S10: My parents tell me not to worry. They did bad on tests and they turned out just fine.

S11: Yeah, mine, too. They said the tests won't matter in life. There are no other times that we ever take tests, except in school.

S12: Not true! Mine said they are really important. They always are all over me to study, study, study and do well on the tests. Of course, I never do well.

Teacher Notes:

• You will need to put aside whatever your personal feelings are about testing, and how well you did, or did not do, on particular testing, when you work with students. The focus needs to be on the students understanding the value of the test and trying to do their best.