State Testing Edition
I know of a state that started to test
I don’t why they started to test
Soon followed by the rest.
First, the state tested at 4, 8, and 10
Kids filled in the bubbles and picked up a pen
Their essays proved direct writing was best
But I don’t why the state started to test
Soon followed by the rest.
They added open-response items in reading and math
A cautious step down the authentic assessment path
As kids’ essays had proved direct writing was best
But I don’t know why the state started to test
Soon followed by the rest.
Next, they reported individual student scores
Give them a score and the kids will try more
To answer O-R items in reading and math
To keep moving along the authentic assessment path
As kids’ essay had proved direct writing was best
But I don’t know why the state started to test
Soon followed by the rest.
But state tests have only 80% participation
To test all of the kids we’ll add accommodations
Because it’s important to give each kid a score
Give them a score and the kids will try more
To answer C-R items in reading and math
That keep us moving on the authentic assessment path
As kids’ essays had proved direct writing was best
But I don’t know why the state stared to test.
Soon followed by the rest.
But something’s still missing, state testing’s not fruitful.
Achievement Levels will make ‘em more useful.
So now we’re closing in on full participation
As no one is shy about adding accommodations
And each kid has their own Level and score
Because give them a score and they will try more
To answer C-R items, write essays with vigor
On tests that have markedly increased in rigor
Since kids’ essays once proved direct writing was best
But I don’t recall why the state started to test.
Soon followed by the rest.
Testing at 4, 8, and 10 has been fine,
But too many kids we’re still leaving behind
All kids Proficient, at each grade, across the nation
And “all does mean all” with 100% participation
Every kid with a Level along with their score
Because give them a score and kids will try more
To solve complex problems and craft arguments with vigor
On tests that have markedly increased in rigor
Since essays long ago proved direct writing was best
But I don’t recall why the state started to test.
Soon followed by the rest.
Now the state’s testing at each grade 3 through 8
If two grades were good, six will be great
And if all kids aren’t Proficient, at least they’ll show growth
In Accountability Systems, we will value both
Every kid with a Level and a growth score
Because give them some hope and kids will try more
To be ready for careers and on track for college
They’ll sit gladly for hours to share all their knowledge
Since kids’ essays once proved direct writing was best
But seriously, why was it the state started to test.
Soon followed by the rest.
Now, it’s 2022 and so many are enraged
They say testing’s broken, the kids aren’t engaged
But we improved Accountability with indicators galore
We removed deficit labels from all of our scores
We approved every accommodation, gave access to all
We tried through-year testing spring, winter, and fall
We made the test shorter as short as we could
We kept direct writing because it is good
We reset, we adapted, we gave it our best
But never made it clear why the state started to test
Soon followed by the rest.
So, it’s back to the board, testing plans to redraw
With all at the table, relations we’ll thaw
And this time around we won’t swallow the fly
Dangling brightly before us and promise the sky
First on the agenda: A clear purpose for the test.
Soon followed by the rest.
Image by René Dupuis from Pixabay
Embrace the Absurd 