Testing: the one and only way of rating a school's success. A lot depends on those little scantron bubbles. Back in Texas, we teachers prepared all year for the TAKS test. This year, Mexico's ENLACE test just appeared out of nowhere. For my readers' enlightenment, I thought I should do a little comparing and contrasting of these two great nations.
Preparation
Texas:
-Carry around sample test questions in order to format any question the children might here to test script.
-Administer district-wide practice tests every few months. Analyze the results for maximum success on the real test.
-In the month leading up to the test, administer practice exams every week. Have students graph their results.
Attend teacher workshops that study the test and teach test-taking strategies.
Mexico:
-The test was for Spanish; I was told not to worry about it.
Teacher Training
Texas:
-Attend several hours of certification training prior to the test in order to proctor the exam.
Mexico:
-On the morning of the exam, give students plenty of work and leave them with a sub. All teachers gather in the teacher lounge for an hour of training. "Testing scheduled to begin at 8:15," the morning notices read? Ha.
Classroom Preparation
Texas:
-Cover anything on the walls that may assist students on the exam.
-Arrange desks so that students are sitting as far away from other students as possible.
-Make a seating chart to submit to the State.
Mexico:
-Seat students in rows by list number.
Proctoring
Texas:
-Circle around room continually, showing students that this is important to you.
-Allow breaks when needed.
-While circling, make sure you don't appear to be reading a students' test. Someone could be watching.
-When leaving the room alone, lock up the tests and lock the door.
Mexico:
-Bring grading work; you'll have plenty of time.
-Give students 15 minutes of break in between each 45-minute session.
-When leaving the room ... oh wait, no procedure for that one.
Stress Level
Texas:
-Students: Tears and vomiting
-Teachers: Heart-racing, fear, exhaustion
Mexico:
-Students: It's a day of plenty of breaks and free time.
-Teachers: It's a day without planning or teaching.
Granted, I work in a private school down here. Perhaps the test would be a bigger event in a public school. Still, I couldn't help but laugh on those two days I spent grading papers.
