Internship Activity Testing Activity

Activity Description and Summary

Last spring I assisted Kathryn Gold, the testing administrator for my school, SEEALL Academy in Brooklyn, NY. I approached her about helping her with the New York Schools' State English & Language Arts and Math Exams that are taken every year. She was glad for me to help and explained my duties and role. During this testing period, I served as a proctor and helped monitor the test takers. My role also included handing out and picking up the tests.

Program Outcome Rationale

The activity's relation to the program outcome of establishing leadership was summarily reached during this exercise. The conducting of such important testing requires stern discipline and formalized approaches that require a visionary approach. This theme is important and relates directly to establishing a solid teamwork between faculty as well. By working together with Kathryn, a new standard was set school wide that others may follow.

Standardized Test Process

SEEALL's testing procedures are straight forward and focus on simplicity. Students are gathered in a large classroom and are directed to clear and stagger their desks. All extra materials are left outside the classroom. The tests are then handed out and placed faced down until all students have received the testing materials. At that point the students are told to turn over the materials and a set of instructions is verbally issued to the students by the test administrator. At the conclusion of this announcements, the testing begins. Those who finish the test early may turn the test in and take a break at their desk. The students are released after all tests are turned in and they have been debriefed about their experience.

My role in this procedure was complementary. I served as a proctor and handed out tests to the students. My duties included monitoring the students and answering any questions about the tests. Many times students asked for the correct answers, or hints about the questions during this time.

The standardized testing philosophy in our school reflects an attention to detail as it is viewed as a major event during the school year. Students are prepared for this testing and understand its importance in the quality of their education. Applying the strict rules laid out in the testing procedures manual demonstrates an overall approach that respects the intentions and outcomes of standardized testing.

Data Implications and Budget

Data analysis is done by a committee of graders selected by the principle. In this case the most senior teachers are used to evaluate the scores. The tests results are given weeks later that indicate the performance of the student's abilities. Once the tests are graded from the testing source, a report is issued from the source to our school's leadership.

The data is reviewed by the principle and he makes adjustments to his faculty as he sees fit. This may include making budgetary adjustments that reflect addressing the needs exposed in such standardized testing. The data is somewhat emphasized within the totality of the school's educational abilities but do not dominate it nor direct its every choice. Like every other assessment tool, this example is only a partial glimpse of the big picture.

Impact on Student Achievement

Students' do not readily identify success in standardized testing as being very important in many instances. The generic approach somehow is recognized by many students and those who usually excel in testing can do well in these exams. In some instances high achieving students may score low on such exams, exposing possible issues in education methods and approaches.

The scores are used more as a reflection of the school as a collective and represent the abilities of the teachers and not the students as much. Most faculty do not really like these tests as they take away much classroom time that could be dedicated to more specialized studies. Student achievement must however be weighed in the context of others around the city and state in order to add some context to our approach and methods of teaching.