1 min read
03 Dec

©    Written and Edited - April 22nd, 2017 - 3:54 pm to 6:05 pm

Edited - April 23rd, 2017 - 8:06 pm to 8:13 pm

Edited April 26th, 2017 - 1:15 pm to 1:40 pm

I Support People, I Don't Support Tests

I was at a staff meeting and I got to bear witness to a series of elements that came together that resulted on the path to people helping each other.

Our principal, Carolyn Ridout, shared a budget that we have to work with, discussed needs and opened it up for discussion.  A democratic process and I think one that makes sense.  The people making decisions are the ones who's lives are effected directly.

So, we came together collectively. One of the things I vaguely remember hearing was, staff was talking about options regarding books.  We had a choice between buying a set of uniform text books or a variety of different books.  If we had a bunch of uniform books, it would have encouraged a level of conformity.  But the variety of books encouraged openness, creativity, and critical thinking, which was my vote.  I think that the staff voted to buy a variety of books.

Something that I remember even more was when our principal told us that the school was required to give tests to the students.   My memory tells me that the name of the tests was something like 504.   Our principal turned to our guidance counselor (Magda) and referred to her to facilitate the tests.  But Magda asked for more information about the tests.  After clarifying that if Magda was going to administrator the tests, she realized that it would take her away from supporting students more directly.  I don't remember everything that Magda said outloud, but I remember, good for her and us, thank you for speaking up and taking action.

After some more discussion and negotiation, Carolyn Ridout said, ok,  we'll hire someone else for that position so that you can focus on supporting students.

I don't remember the details of the test, and the staff discussion happened quickly.  I remember the test was a number, something like 504.

After looking at 504, I'm realizing more that I don't remember much of anything about the testing. The only thing that I remember about the testing was the fact that it was just going to require a lot more paperwork for the administrator or facilitator of the test and for the students. And that in the case of the guidance counselor Magda that it would take her away from working with students directly.

Now as I look 504 or, it looks like it's a description of testing for students with disabilities.  I was working with students in special education setting during the time of this meeting at this school. And I think that some things resonated with me with students and other people that I've worked with and interacted with over the years.

And then fifteen or sixteen years after that staff meeting I was diagnosed with nonverbal learning disability and autism.  So those are some added reflections that I have as far as working with students in special education and being diagnosed myself.  How does that  relate to this particular testing and the moment of the big picture?  How do I relate to the testing, then and now?  I think that these things are worth exploring or unpacking.

But I'm done exploring them for now.  But as I continue taking my journey I think that I will continue to reflect on them in the context of all of our journeys.

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