The Doc Is In : testing

From the Mouths of Babes

drpezz — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:31:36 GMT

Check out this test (at the end of the article) written by an 8th grader. The innocent often speak truth. Click here for the test and article. Filed under: Good Mood , Testing Read More......(read more)

To Test or Not to Test

drpezz — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:54:15 GMT

Seattle is seeing its fair share of controversy regarding the required MAPS testing in its schools. Teachers are boycotting the test, and the Superintendent has issued a warning . Now, parents are joining the teachers in their stance against a test the...(read more)

Common Core is Here

drpezz — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 03:07:24 GMT

Well, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are here, and my district (and a few department members) see it as the panacea for this generation of students. While I don’t have anywhere near that sort of faith in the new standards, I do like the professional...(read more)

A Week of Awards

drpezz — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:00:55 GMT

My “Tip of the Cap” Award goes to the 500+ parents of Snohomish County in Washington State who opted their kids out of the state test . My “Ignorance Out Loud” Award goes to Mitt Romney whose speech could be summed by saying he blames the teachers’ unions...(read more)

Schools Are Doing Well

drpezz — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 06:42:20 GMT

I posted the following on a message board. What do you think? I don’t understand why people think WA schools are failing. ACT and SAT scores are up (and above the national average) even with ever more students tested each year. We still have kids entering...(read more)

ACT Scores Are High Again

drpezz — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:41:40 GMT

Washington State’s ACT scores bested the national average again. This is all the more impressive considering that more students took the test than in previous years. Of course, it was buried in the back of the newspaper. Filed under: Good Mood , Testin...(read more)

Responses to Attacks on Teachers

drpezz — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:33:34 GMT

An interesting debate has popped up on a Seattle Times article , but most of the debate centers on the same old, rehashed, and repeated talking points which are decidedly anti-public education. Here are my quick responses to a couple topics. Responding...(read more)

Final Exams

drpezz — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:38:28 GMT

We just finished our final exams this week and are ready for the summer. But, of course, a bit of finals week reflection is in order each year, and this year is no exception. I use these tests as a way to ensure that students can’t forget the material...(read more)

A Leader in Education

drpezz — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:51:37 GMT

John Kuhn, a Superintendent in Texas, wrote what has become known as the Alamo Letter . It’s great, but even better is his Q & A here . I wish he was my education leader. Filed under: Administration , Lessons , Money , Testing Read More......(read more)

Testing and Classroom Assessment

drpezz — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:36:52 GMT

Two terms I’ve often heard people use incorrectly–and noticeably absent from any national conversation about standardized testing–are validity and reliability . No, they aren’t the same and not interchangeable. Here are my (simplistic) definitions of...(read more)

Boiling Over

drpezz — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:00:48 GMT

If you want an accurate analysis of the Wisconsin teacher protests as a microcosm of the nation’s teaching force’s feelings, read Diane Ravitch’s CNN editorial . Not only does she discuss the growing anger of teachers everywhere, but she points out the...(read more)

“We’re Mediocre! We’re Mediocre!”

drpezz — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:23:40 GMT

Critics of education often tout the idea that the U.S. was once the greatest nation in the world in math and science, and that might be true in pockets, but as a nation we really haven’t topped many lists. Consider this statement which is included in...(read more)

ScanTrons Be Gone

drpezz — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 04:22:32 GMT

If you are tired of purchasing those expensive SacnTron forms and having to repair the scoring machine, it’s time to upgrade to GradeCam . I love it. After the initial start-up fee (which is a bit pricey) my department has saved quite a bit of money by...(read more)

The State of Education Today

drpezz — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 22:07:46 GMT

Washington State, like many other states, is hurting financially. No one questions this; however, the recovery methods and suggestions do cause me to pause and worry about the state’s and nation’s education futures. One column’s composer basically says...(read more)

The PAC-10, the SEC, and the SAT

drpezz — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 20:10:16 GMT

I’m a college football fan who watches every Saturday, and I love it (even though a playoff system is sorely needed). I also admit that I’m a West Coast kid who loves PAC-10 football and who tires of having to hear SEC fans always claim their conference...(read more)