Poll: Teachers say DON'T teach to the test!

An editorial in last Friday's Advocate quoted State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek as saying, “Teaching to the test is a good thing, because what students need to learn is on the test.”

That comment raises some eyebrows at the LFT office - we felt that most teachers believe teaching to the test is not the best way to impart knowledge, develop critical thinking skills and imbue in students a lifelong ambition to learn.

So we posted a one-question survey that simply asked, "Do you believe that "teaching to the test" is an appropriate way to improve student performance in Louisiana?"

Very quickly, some 633 teachers responded. Five hundred twenty-one, or 82%, said "no"; 112, or 18%, said "yes."

That response was so encouraging that LFT decided to establish an ongoing, non-scientific survey of teacher and school employee opinion during the upcoming legislative session. Each week, we will post a question about issues at the capitol. We're calling it the "Pulse Poll." Be on the lookout for the new Pulse Poll every week of the legislative session!

"Teaching to the Test" and Merit Pay

Baton Rouge's own Gray Lady, The Advocate, published an editorial today supporting the concept of basing teacher pay on the results of standardized tests taken by students.

In a recent EdLog post, we described that particular version of merit pay as a "well intentioned bad idea," based on available research. In order to get maximum results on standardized tests, it is necessary for teachers to focus on the answers to the questions printed on bubble sheets.

The Advocate editorial quotes State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek as saying “Teaching to the test is a good thing, because what students need to learn is on the test.”

That comment is certain to raise eyebrows in the education profession, where "teaching to the test" is a controversial subject.

If you are a classroom teacher, we'd like to know what you think. Please click here and give us your answer to a one-question survey: Do you believe that "teaching to the test" is an appropriate way to improve student performance in Louisiana?

Results will be published in an upcoming EdLog post.