Should Public School Teachers Be Tested?

I'd gladly sit annual testing in lieu of what I actually do go through every year. My numbers are scrutinized when it comes to students passing and failing both in-house and standardized tests. I get performance bonuses based on these numbers, too. I get interviewed for my own job at least once a year when the Dept. of Ed. comes to town, I'm observed and videotaped at least twice a year and then lectured about my techniques by someone who has never stood in front of a classroom. Then there are the parents who complain because their li'l snowflake is failing while in the meanwhile she hasn't handed in homework in over three months, the parents have ignored the alerts I've sent home every week and next week they're taking her to Disney World causing her to lose ten days of instruction that she desperately needs if she wants to squeak her way into 5th grade. When she winds up in summer school that will wind up being my fault, too, not Mickey Mouse's. Is that enough for you or should I go into the standardized tests that come in sans answer keys forcing me to take the tests along with the students, verify that I got 100% on it then correct 200 tests within 48 hours to satisfy the suits at the DOE? Whatever...at least we get summers off. Oh wait! I teach summer school too. Ne'er mind.

Let me say this first before I actually make my comment, I don't want anyone to think I am prejudiced against any child. Most of my post on My Lot have stated I am a Mother of 10. I have some very intelligent children, then I have some who are Learning Disabled, so as you see, I have both to compare. Now here I go Soap Box Time! No Child Left Behind Act. I think George Bush meant well, and his heart was in the right place, the act in itself is a good idea, but boy does it need a lot of fine tuning. Teachers under this act are expected to teach all children the same things and it is just not humanly possible. All of these kid's are lumped into one class, then once or twice a day the ones who are L. D. or some schools call them exceptional children, are pulled out to take separate classes, this in itself I feel is very disruptive, not only to the students but also to the teachers. My L.D. Daughter is pulled out 2 times a day, once for reading, and then for math. They base the amount of time they get supposedly on their learning strength determined by the previous years EOGs, what a crock! She gets 20 minutes in one class and 30 in the other, then she has to go back into the regular class and try to figure out where they are, and what is going on. Meantime the teacher has to walk away from what she is doing, or if shes lucky she has an assistant that day, to show the students returning what they are doing. I'm sorry, but this makes little sense to me, but what do I know I am just a MOM. I think every child and adult for that matter has the right to a quality education, but that being said, we all learn at different levels, and some children will never be able to keep up with the rest of the class, not saying they will never amount to anything, to me success mens being happy in whatever you do be it a rocket scientist, or an auto mechanic. Then they hold the teachers responsible when test grades are not on the same level. To me this is ludicrous, children are not what I call zipper heads, lord knows I wish they were, it would make my job as a parent much easier, but just as each child has a different personality, they each have a different rate and ability of learning. Now If I have completely missed the mark on this I am sure some of you will tell me, but this is how I see the situation with our school systems. It can not all be the teachers fault, our dear government must take the majority of this blame.

Competence should be the main aspect in the public sector as well. Teachers should well be screened so as to maintain the quality of the public schools. In my country, all teachers should pass certain interviews and exams to be a teacher.

Hey ParaTed, I am not sure about psycological testing but I am sure that the teachers here in my part of NC have to be up to standard as far as what they know. We had a big stink last year in Charlotte, I forget how many teachers lost their job's because they could not pass their competency test. Charlotte/Mecklenburg County school officials were trying to recruit teachers from my county, offering them all kinds of sign up bonuses to come teach for their county. I couldn't blame the teachers here for wanting the money and bonuses, but I was so upset at the prospect of losing quality teachers from our area. Boy the scholl system really has you teed off right now, What gives? Blessings

I totally agree, but I think the only way to increase quality of teachers is to increase their salary! The way it is now, they have no incentive to jump through all those hoops of taking tests and getting certification when the pay is so low. Also, if there was a pay increase, it would make teaching a more competitive profession which would also result in only better teachers teaching. I think that is so important, considering without good teachers, we will not have any well-qualified professionals in the future! Teachers are our future, I think they are severely underpaid...at least in grades where subjects start becoming relevant like jr high/high school...I dont think 3rd grade teachers (for example) need a salary increase bc th job doesnt seem that hard...just my personal opinion.

hmmmmmm.......i dunno wt to sy.....

here in my area, public school teachers are now tested. But still can't say its so much full proof. there are still some influence of party people and also reservations are there.still i can say, atleast some is done.

They should, but its not going to happen. (This is stateside we are talking about, one of the most backwards in terms of education and teachers -_-) Its no longer about education. Its about.. keeping kids occupied for most of the day, filling their heads with mush and feel good nonsense, making excuses for them 24/7, making things way easy, worrying about not hurting their feelings making sure the ink is no longer red but now purple, pink and green getting rid of all homework creating more bogus classes so students learn nothing and do nothing less discipline for the unruly so there is less work for teachers All while the teachers keep their jobs with as minimal scrutiny as possible. If people really wised up and learned how much was spent on education compared to the world, and then on that compared the results of education... there would be much more press for retesting teachers and refining the education system. But alas, no one thinks its broken THAT way. Instead, the broken the typical person thinks is "we need more money, that'll solve it". Meanwhile in reality, that's the same story for the past few decades and for the majority the quality has gotten worse. There are even a few news stories highlighting how bad things are getting, not just by education but the teachers themselves. How about testing for competency but also for any potential social/mental problems? We're getting kids lacking basic knowledge of their own country... on the other side we keep seeing more and more teachers doing the most horrific things(abuse) to our kids and barely a thing is done about it.

oh ofcourse!whats gonna happen to the future of our children and to the world if they send the wrong message to them.education is one of the basic needs of our society.teachers shoud know that thier teaching lest our world will be a world of dumb and dumbers..lol

I suppose it would be great for people to be tested periodically. But then what about driving? or any other activity we get tested for in our lives?

yes. they should definitely be tested....

YES! This is to make sure of the standard of eduction. If those teachers are not tested, then how could we know if the younger generation will learn something wrong from them!

i agree, ive had some terrible teachers. in middle school i had a spanish teacher who never taught us a thing, we would have an assignment on the board when we came into class and it was due at the end of the day, if we were lucky she would give us some advice, but she never got out of her computer chair. and one of the physics teachers at my school is terrible, my friend had a 4.0 until he had to take that class, the man doesnt teach either, he gives hw assignments on topics he will teach you the next day. i wonder why some of these people are even teachers, they obviously hate their job and they sure arent staying for the money. i completely agree.

yes yes yes !!! education is far more imp than protecting careers they must be tested over and over again to make sure they update themselves instead of sitting in the staffrooms and gossiping as to whats happening in others houses if not in others class ! all over the world hot discussion is ..should teachers be paid more ? and concerned fraternity says- Yes ( without even thinking ....why and what for ? ) with due respects to the great teachers of all times ..and to SOME of my own teachers.. not every teacher deserves to remain the profession there must be in service screening ... tests after every bonus that they get ..if not before ! and then if they succeed ...sure ..pay them more !!! its then they deserve !