Standardized Testing at TBS

In the current era of "high stakes testing" created by the No Child Left Behind legislation, public schools are forced to test students as often as every six weeks. However, weighing a chicken more often does not help it grow; at TBS, we know that good instruction, based on progressive principles and balancing inquiry-based investigation with direct instruction, creates an environment in which learning thrives. We also recognize that in order to best serve our students, we need to make use of the full range of assessment devices available, which means utilizing standardized testing in an ethical fashion that meshes with our educational beliefs. 

For this reason, each spring all students in fourth through eighth grade take the CTP 4, designed by the Educational Records Bureau. TBS uses the ERB scores as an in-house accountability measure, since our students do not spend time working with these assessments in an ongoing way. They are just one more way that we can assess our students' learning, and our teachers' teaching. We analyze the results for broad patterns across classes and grades, which can be useful for identifying areas of relative strength or future growth in our curriculum. As a parent, it's important to remember that ERB results are a moment-in-time snapshot of your child's learning through a specific lens, and should be integrated into the whole picture of your child's learning profile rather than considered a definitive summation of your child as a learner.

Before the testing, teachers explain to the students that the results are used to help teachers learn and understand their students' growth better.  Students have opportunities to practice mathematical reasoning and computation, reading comprehension, and literacy skills that are included on the test.  Teachers also give instruction on test-taking strategies, time management skills, and stress-reduction techniques.  Students with demonstrable need are given a range of accommodations, overseen by MaryBeth Ventura, our 4-8 Learning Support Coordinator.

Taking the CTP 4 also provides important practical life experience for our students. Eighth grade students who apply to private high schools take standardized entrance exams that have actual high stakes attached to them, as do the standardized tests all high school students take. By giving our students experience in taking these types of  test, and teaching them the tools to succeed on them, we believe we prepare them for the academic environments they'll encounter after graduation, without sacrificing our commitment to an authentic progressive education.

Next week we'll administer the ERBs to all students in grades 4-8. Here's what our schedule for testing looks like:

Monday, 5/14
8:30 - 8:45                        Attendance, Prepare for testing
8:45 – 9:25                       Testing: Reading comprehension (40)   
9:25 - 9:40                        Quiet break in class (15)
9:40 – 10:10                     Testing: Writing Mechanics (30)
10:10 – 10:55                   Break - All to park (45)
10:55 - 11:40                    Testing: Math Part I   (40)

Tuesday, 5/15
8:30 - 8:45                        Attendance, Prepare for testing
8:45 – 9:25                       Testing: Math Part 2 (40)

9:25 – 9:40                       Quiet break in class   (15)
9:40 – 10:25                     Testing: Writing concepts & skills (45)
10:25 – 11:10                   Break - All to park  (45)
11:10 – 11:40                   Testing: Reading comprehension CR (30)

Wednesday, 5/16
8:30 - 8:45                        Attendance, Prepare for testing
8:45 – 9:30                       Testing: Quantitative reasoning (45)
9:30 – 9:40                       Quiet break in class  (10)
9:40 – 10:00                     Testing: Vocabulary (20)
10:00 – 10:45                   Break - All to park (45)
10:45 – 11:30                   Testing: Verbal Reasoning (45)

Thursday, 5/17
8:30 - 8:45                        30 minutes in classroom
8:45 - 9:20                        Testing: Math CR (35)  

Begin make up testing (in Depot) and continue Friday.