[etni] [FWD: RE: One test per semester?]

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 -------- Original Message --------
 Subject: RE: One test per semester?
 From: "Lev Abramov" <lev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
 
 Dear Rachelle -
 
 I would try to look at the problem through the eyes of the
administration.
 
 Your principal and other stakeholders in the system who are trying to
ebb
 the test tide are after a certain set of benefits:
 
 - decreasing the pressure on the pupils [the declared objective - take
it
 with a 10-pound grain of salt];
 - making life easier for the person doing the tests schedule [I would
 seriously look into it - is someone trying to please that person? I've
once
 lived through a similar experience];
 - cutting down on the amount of resources wasted on tests [paper, toner
for
 the copier, paying the person who runs off copies] - probe it. Ask:
"Suppose
 we find a way of making it twice cheaper - can we then have two tests
 instead of one?"
 - other reasons [I cannot offer any just off my sleeve, but it doesn't
mean
 there are none].
 
 The moment you manage to figure out what the main driving force is
behind
 this decision you will be able to plan the right way of fighting it.
 
 OK, for every venom, an antidote should exist: call your tests
"quizzes",
 make them 45 minutes long instead of 90, but give them 4 times a
semester
 (which could be a good idea as regards logistics). Test the skills
 separately by using smaller assessment items; allocate points so as to
put
 more weight on these "quizzes" - make it clear these are not classwork
 items.
 
 One more thing: are you sure you need that many tests?
 
 Do you need more tests as
 
 - a tool for a more reliable assessment picture?
 - a way of providing a better feedback to pupils?
 - a chance for those who get a bad grade to have it dropped (get three
 grades, drop the worst one, get the final grade as an average of the
two
 best ones)?
 - a stimulus for sustaining pupils efforts all year round?
 - any combination of the above?
 
 Until recently, we used to have two tests per semester, not three - and
we
 somehow managed.
 
 Stephen Krashen once said, "If you put a calf on scales every day it
will
 not cause the animal to gain weight any faster."
 
 Have a good week -
 
 Lev
 
 -----------
 Lev Abramov
 The Schiffman Institute
 <http://home.schiffman.biz>

> 
> -----Original Message-----
>  Subject: One test per semester?
>  From: "Rachelle Borenstein" <rnab1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Our school is trying to create a system with less pressure and wants to have
> one test per semester in every subject, and
>  if need be, a few quizzes. Until now, the English staff have had three
> tests per semester, dictations, book reports, participation/homework,  etc.
> as part of our grading system to alleviate the pressure from "tests
> ly".   ---snip---


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