High Stakes (RE)Testing

So...you're a teacher; you gave a test, some students did good, some did okay, and some didn't do well at all. 


What do you do with the tests you hand back?
Do you just record the grade, hand them back and move on to the next unit? Do you go over a few examples? Do you give students a chance to fix their mistakes?


As a parent, when my children bring home a test, we go over it together to find out where the mistake was. Sometimes, they were just rushing through the test and didn't read the question thoroughly, sometimes they really didn't understand the question and we work together to figure it out.


My daughters have had many teachers who let the students fix their mistakes for homework, GREAT IDEA!


But what about high stakes testing?
Other than recording the grade and moving on to the next required test, what are they actually accomplishing? 


Here's a thought...what if they retake the test they didn't pass instead of the next grade test?


In Massachusetts, students take the MCAS in order to graduate. One of my daughters has always had difficulty in math and is still waiting for the ever elusive "Proficient" on her math MCAS test results. 
What if in 8th grade she retook the 7th grade math MCAS? I'm guessing she would pass and it would have huge ramifications, she wouldn't feel dumb, wouldn't compare herself to her peers, her self esteem would soar, and I'm guessing she would feel more confident in math class. (these are all things that occur because she didn't pass her "stupid math MCAS" as she looks at the score in tears, only 2 points from proficient)


Why are we rushing ELA and Math scores to be proficient each testing year? 
Students have several chances to pass the Science Biology exam while in high school. It doesn't matter what year they passed the Biology exam, only that they passed it. So why can't ELA and math be like that as well? As long as the student is showing individual progress, why can't they have the opportunity to pass until they get it right?


How many teachers have passed their teacher exams on the first try? How many teachers took the exam even if you knew you weren't ready for it just to see what it was like? What other tests are like that? (driver's license test, hairdressing license test)


I know I do better when I know where I need to focus my efforts. Don't we all seem to do better the second time around? Why not let students have that chance as well?


Just a thought.