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LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — A recent survey by the Louisiana Association of Educators found that a majority of Louisiana teachers believe students are being tested too much in regards to state-required standardized tests.
Debbie Meaux, LAE president, tells the American Press (http://bit.ly/1eOXZNb) 78 percent of members polled think the current amount of standardized tests is excessive and takes too much time away from classroom instruction.
Meaux said members also said they were not happy with the amount of time required to prepare students for the tests as well.
"When you add up all that time, we're looking at probably over a month's worth of school being devoted to testing," she said. "The overemphasis on standardized testing... hampers educators' abilities to focus on providing students with the broad range of learning experiences that promote the innovation, creativity and deep subject-matter knowledge needed to help them thrive in an increasingly global society."
Meaux said the survey also showed that Louisiana teachers are upset about students' test scores being linked to teacher evaluations. She said 85 percent of those polled felt that it was unfair, and that the test scores held too much weight in the evaluations.
Meaux said the testing issues are a major concern for LAE members and that it's time for lawmakers to listen to teachers who are in the classrooms every day. "It is so important that we take the focus away from these tests that only capture a moment in time of our students' breadth of knowledge surrounding a particular subject," she said.
Meaux said many members also have an issue with the Common Core State Standards. She said 52 percent of members felt negatively about CCSS and think that it takes away a teacher's control in preparing lessons. She added that 62 percent believe the new standards don't ensure equity in learning for children.
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Information from: American Press, http://www.americanpress.com
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