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A carrot for the stick, please
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Posted on Dec 28 2005
There are a few things teachers should be complaining to the Board of Education about, notably a lack of upward movement in salaries and overcrowded classrooms, but the board’s behavior on Praxis isn’t one of them.
I have to really disagree with many of the comments made by Ambrose Bennett regarding the Praxis tests. I think the board has acted wisely and commendably in offering teachers either paid refresher seminars or another option of a bonus upon successful independent completion of the tests that essentially pays the cost of the tests. The board has done all it reasonably can on this issue. I agree with Bennett that not a lot of people have passed both tests, and time is indeed running out, but I think this is really the fault of teachers in procrastinating on taking the tests.
The data on who has passed and who hasn’t is by no means complete at this point. I’m a prime example, as I have completed both tests, but merely haven’t gotten around to sending my scores up to central office. At my school, majority of teachers have already taken Praxis I, and I have not heard of any failures and tend to doubt there will be many, given the ease of Praxis I. Praxis II wasn’t even available until this year, so it is only natural that fewer have taken II so far, which is much more challenging, and some people will have trouble passing.
I was initially annoyed by these tests, and I still think ETS, which profits from these tests, is a bit of a racket, but passing will give teachers something to demonstrate mastery of their subject material. While I don’t think the substitute teacher idea for those who don’t pass the tests on time is going to be great for the school system, I can’t think of a better alternative. Some teachers are going to need that “stick” to get moving on completing the tests, as they are vital for funding. Now if we can just get the “carrot” of some kind of pay raise, even a small one, for those who pass the tests, things would be better.
Jeffrey C. Turbitt
As Lito
