Teacher takes principled stand against faulty testing system

Get your children OUT of government schools fast as you can!

I guess we just give everyone a free pass through school, no grades, no rules, just let everyone do what they want. This teacher is a good example of that mind set. Don't hold me responsible for anything. I sure would not want him teaching one of my children. Maybe this is why our school system is failing so bad. Kids are not getting an education in a lot of schools, and it's our fault for not making teachers accountable for thier kids failure.

to the first two posters - did you actually read the article? do you understand what severe intellectual disabilities are?

bruce wayne wrote:

I guess we just give everyone a free pass through school, no grades, no rules, just let everyone do what they want. This teacher is a good example of that mind set. Don't hold me responsible for anything. I sure would not want him teaching one of my children. Maybe this is why our school system is failing so bad. Kids are not getting an education in a lot of schools, and it's our fault for not making teachers accountable for thier kids failure.

I think you have missed the point. Do you know ANYTHING about this situation? This teacher is a GREAT teacher and has made excellent progress with his students. I would definately want him teaching my child. The teacher is not opposed to being held accountable but the test is not an ACCURATE measure of progress of the students.
We stand behind you Mr. Ward! Please don't listen to these idiots that do not even know what they are talking about!

I assume Mr. Ward knew of the testing requirements at the time he signed his contract to teach for the year 2007-08 and should have made his intentions known at that time.
I question his intentions for picking this time - why now when he knew of this requirement for several years. Something is very wrong.
Mr. Ward is doing the children in his care a large disservice and should not be allowed to teach ever again.
For the AT-C in its OP/ED to commend the conduct of Mr. Ward is irresponsible. There is no excuse for such.
As I rote yesterday, this incident should be investigated very thoroughly and if need be, heads should roll.

mac vs pc showdown wrote:

to the first two posters - did you actually read the article? do you understand what severe intellectual disabilities are?

Yes, I read the article, it states that these children are severely disabled but Mr. Ward said that he was the teacher for the job by signing his contract.
There is an underlying motive that someone is trying to do and the children will suffer for it.

evidently the state thinks they should be tested, if for no other reason to see if the teacher is teaching them in the correct manner and if the students are learning anything. How else will they know? I'm sure the test is not set up just to fail students, especially those with severe learning disabilities. Does that get teachers off the hook, just because of the students disability? Are the students supposed to make progress each year? Or is this day care for children with severe learning disabilities? The only way to measure the progress or lack of progress is to test the students. Evidently the teacher didn't want to follow the rules. Let him give a believable reason for not testing. If he refuses to do so, then fire him for not following the guidelines set by his employer, the state of north carolina. If this makes me sound like an idiot then we are all in big trouble.

OUTSPOKEN wrote:

I assume Mr. Ward knew of the testing requirements at the time he signed his contract to teach for the year 2007-08 and should have made his intentions known at that time.
I question his intentions for picking this time - why now when he knew of this requirement for several years. Something is very wrong.
Mr. Ward is doing the children in his care a large disservice and should not be allowed to teach ever again.
For the AT-C in its OP/ED to commend the conduct of Mr. Ward is irresponsible. There is no excuse for such.
As I rote yesterday, this incident should be investigated very thoroughly and if need be, heads should roll.

If you are going to make such comments at least know what you are talking about. The testing standards have changed this year and these students are doomed to fail as a result. Get your facts straight and quit making assumptions! This teacher is standing up for his kids (and kids everywhere) and I want to know how that is a disservice to them?!

bruce wayne wrote:

evidently the state thinks they should be tested, if for no other reason to see if the teacher is teaching them in the correct manner and if the students are learning anything. How else will they know? I'm sure the test is not set up just to fail students, especially those with severe learning disabilities. Does that get teachers off the hook, just because of the students disability? Are the students supposed to make progress each year? Or is this day care for children with severe learning disabilities? The only way to measure the progress or lack of progress is to test the students. Evidently the teacher didn't want to follow the rules. Let him give a believable reason for not testing. If he refuses to do so, then fire him for not following the guidelines set by his employer, the state of north carolina. If this makes me sound like an idiot then we are all in big trouble.

I guess we are in trouble then because you are still missing the point. His students have made tremendous progress (did you see the WLOS news where a student's father complimented the teacher??). AND are you SURE you know that this test is not set up to fail these students? Do you have personal knowledge of this test?

bruce wayne wrote:

evidently the state thinks they should be tested, if for no other reason to see if the teacher is teaching them in the correct manner and if the students are learning anything. How else will they know? I'm sure the test is not set up just to fail students, especially those with severe learning disabilities. Does that get teachers off the hook, just because of the students disability? Are the students supposed to make progress each year? Or is this day care for children with severe learning disabilities? The only way to measure the progress or lack of progress is to test the students. Evidently the teacher didn't want to follow the rules. Let him give a believable reason for not testing. If he refuses to do so, then fire him for not following the guidelines set by his employer, the state of north carolina. If this makes me sound like an idiot then we are all in big trouble.

Mr. Wayne: I don’t think anyone has stated they are against testing students. Do you feel children with severe learning disabilities have the capability of taking the same test as other students? Students and adults with learning disabilities are very fragile and always need reinforcement.

I hope in our school system that one test is not going to determine if a teacher is teaching the students satisfactory. I would hope we have administrators, principles, other teachers, and parents who observe and know the progress of children in a classroom.

I worked in the private sector of manufacturing for several years in management. When we did our annual review on employees we did not base it on one job task. We based our review on the overall work progress of the employee.

Individuals, young or old do not test the same. Many individuals are very knowledgeable but when they take a test they do poorly and other test well but have no overall knowledge.

Mr. Ward it takes individual as you to stand up for our young people with disabilities. I hope by you taking this stand it will open the eyes of our state government on these test and create a more fairly division of testing. I personally do like test but feel the students overall progress during the year is the best measure.

bruce wayne wrote:

I guess we just give everyone a free pass through school, no grades, no rules, just let everyone do what they want. This teacher is a good example of that mind set. Don't hold me responsible for anything. I sure would not want him teaching one of my children. Maybe this is why our school system is failing so bad. Kids are not getting an education in a lot of schools, and it's our fault for not making teachers accountable for thier kids failure.

you clearly have not read the issue...these test are completely unfair to some children...there is absoultly no way they can pass...Doug took a stand because it was the right thing to do. He teaches values in his class, and what he did shows he has his
in the right place. I feel sorry for your kids, if you form opinions before you know the issues. Why do you think so many teachers in this field are standing behind him and applauding him for doing what took alot of courage to do? He put his job on the line...to bring attention to the stupidity and absolute unfairness of these tests.
suppose I told you. You don't get you next paycheck unless you can pass this test. What town was I born in? You have no way of passing that test because you don't know me. These kids have no way of passing these test because they are geared way beyond their abilities. Doug has helped many special children..he is a good teacher who cares about the kids.

I have questions.

What other steps did Mr. Ward try to take prior to this decision of his?

When will "his" kids be tested? When will those results be available to the public if ever?

How do we know the kids will fail it? Did anyone tell them they would before now? As long as they have to take it anyway and until things change, would it not be better to have the teacher they've learned to depend on and trust there to help them through it? Everyone knows this testing issue needs an overhaul. That fact is widely realized and is at the top of all election agendas.

What would have been the direct and personal only consequences to Mr. Ward if the kids in his class failed?

How many other teachers are supporting Mr. Ward but still intend to show up and give the tests?

As of today, none of my kid's test have been canceled. Somehow I don't think telling them, "Well, Mr. Ward says you shouldn't have to take these tests. He's not showing up so you don't have to either" is going to fly with the school board. I'll be arrested and my children will have a lot more than a possible low test score to worry about.

Now, if every teacher and administrator refused and basically shut the entire school system down on test days, then I'd be more than happy to take my kids out for ice cream instead! Until then, I'll put my energy toward encouraging them through these tests and letting them know how very special they are regardless of these particular test results.

Liza,be sensible, no one would expect children with severe learning problems be able to pass tests for the entire age group. I have not seen the test but I would hope the educated people that make up the testing program take eveything into consideration when compiling these tests. Are you in favor of just taking the word of teachers that every student is doing ok and we don't need to test them? If we ever get to this point our education system is doomed. I think this teacher should have his day in court with the board of education and the state board to see exactly what he is complaining about. I don't think teachers should have the option to pick and choose which laws they want to support and reject the ones they don't think is fair.

bruce wayne wrote:

Liza,be sensible, no one would expect children with severe learning problems be able to pass tests for the entire age group. I have not seen the test but I would hope the educated people that make up the testing program take eveything into consideration when compiling these tests. Are you in favor of just taking the word of teachers that every student is doing ok and we don't need to test them? If we ever get to this point our education system is doomed. I think this teacher should have his day in court with the board of education and the state board to see exactly what he is complaining about. I don't think teachers should have the option to pick and choose which laws they want to support and reject the ones they don't think is fair.

Bruce, you obviously don't have children of testing age. As a 4th grade teacher of mainstreamed special ed. students, I can tell you that no one "takes into consideration" ANYONE'S disabilities. The tests are created to asses each grade level's curriculum being taught. Every student takes the same test. How can a student with an IQ of 40 who doesn't have the mental capacity to differentiate numbers and letters possibly be expected to pass a test on the causes of the American Revolution?? long division?? plant and animal cells?? This is a sad reality that every teacher in the public school system faces. Please don't comment on topics which you know nothing about. It was people with your mentality who came up with this educational plan to begin with. That is, people who have never stepped foot inside a classroom. Talk to some teachers and become educated yourself about this, and then I'll listen to you.

Before anyone complains, yes, I realize I made a typo. The word was assess!!

Supporting Ward wrote:

Before anyone complains, yes, I realize I made a typo. The word was assess!!

I think you made one out of yourself. You must be one of the teachers union advocates. Want to make up your own rules. Why do all of the other teachers follow the guide lins and test thier students? MORON.

Bruce,

I have a child who takes said test. She aces said tests every year. My child is not in the gifted and talented as her IQ score was one point too low (which was fine by me as she doesn't need the added pressure the gifted children are under).

So you are telling me that all children learn the same, should be tested on the same material and should be held to the same standard? Why should my "average" child receive the same test that the gifted students take? She has always aced the test and finishes way before her peers. Why should the challenged children take the same test? If she is average and aces it what do we expect of the gifted child? and the challenged child?

But a better question should be why do we base pay increases and bonus incentives on these tests? The teachers basically teach each year so the children in their class will do well on the test and then they will receive their raise.

A teacher with tenure told me she set up extra modules and spent oodles of time teaching for the writing class. She had 19 out of 20 kids pass it two years ago. This past year she used the exact same materials and taught the class no differently and 11 out of 20 kids passed it. What was the difference? The way the kids in the class learn. My child is a hands on learner. She learns from projects and from research. From doing rather from reading. Other children can read something and know how to do it.

How do we expect every child to pass this test? And if they don't they feel as if they aren't good enough.

The system is flawed.

leanpig. If you set up easier tests for some kids just so they can pass who is kidding who? The only way you can know how well a kid is learning is to give them all the same test.The new liberal view is to let every child pass so they will feel good about themselves. This is flawed education. Do you think the world is waiting with open arms for the uneducated kids. I realize some kids will never be able to make it because of things out of thier control. I think there is some underlying things taking place in this situation that we are not hearing and this should be investigated by the state . Kids go to school for one main purpose and that is to get an education. If certain teachers don't want to follow the rules then maybe they need to get into a business of thier own.

bruce wayne wrote:

<quoted text> I think you made one out of yourself. You must be one of the teachers union advocates. Want to make up your own rules. Why do all of the other teachers follow the guide lins and test thier students? MORON.

Bruce, do you realize that everything you write is based on your own assumptions??? Where do you get your information?? Arguing with people like you who are ignorant to the subjects in which they are arguing against is a waste of my time. I am finished with this ridiculous banter. By the way, I am not a part of a teachers' union, nor do I wish to be. Another assumption on your part. Oh, and another thing - it's spelled THEIR. NOW who's the moron????

Supporting Ward wrote:

<quoted text>
Bruce, do you realize that everything you write is based on your own assumptions??? Where do you get your information?? Arguing with people like you who are ignorant to the subjects in which they are arguing against is a waste of my time. I am finished with this ridiculous banter. By the way, I am not a part of a teachers' union, nor do I wish to be. Another assumption on your part. Oh, and another thing - it's spelled THEIR. NOW who's the moron????

Oh brilliant one, I am going on the information printed in the paper. If that information was wrong then your beef is with the paper. The correct information should be given to the paper and a full investigation conducted. This is the only way to get the real truth concerning the test revolt. Evidently the school thought he did something wrong so let him give his story to the media.