The Learning that's #NotOnTheTest

I have been walking around my district this month and have been truly inspired by the hard work of our teachers and staff. It makes me proud as a superintendent but even prouder as a parent.  It is an honor and privilege to see the 1st But what has been extremely exciting to watch is the innovative instruction that kids are engaged in. The more I walked around and the more I realized.

THIS IS NOT ON THE STATE TEST!!! 

No, the authentic work that I see kids doing will not be measured on the test. The videos that kindergartners are creating explaining why 5-3=2. #NotOnTheTest

• The bridges that 2nd graders designed based on the scientific method. #NotOnTheTest

• The videos that the 5th grade AVP (audio visual production) club made as a part of their monthly school news program. #NotOnTheTest

• The collaboration that our middle school students are doing to teach each other about the high leverage skills in all subjects. #NotOnTheTest

• The food boxes that our science club is packing for families in need. #NotOnTheTest

• The organization and commitment to learning that Google Classroom has created in all of our high school classes. #NotOnTheTest

#NotOnTheTest MUST be Part of Accountability 

State accountability in Texas is predominantly focused on one test on one day, and let's be honest.  Standardized testing is so last century. The needs of this century are truly based on kids having the skills to solve real problems that won't be found on a test by creating products and demonstrating mastery that will help our country address today's issues.  Kids will have to be able to show their comprehension of real stories by creating them through the use of digital media, not by selecting the correct statement that may or may not best represent the correct answer.  

See "I Can’t Answer These Texas Standardized Test Questions About My Own Poems"

Join the #TxEdTuesday Movement

Throughout the spring,  I want to you invite you join Texas and start sharing all the great things happening in your school that will never be measured on a test. Let's tell the world that standardized measurement of schools doesn't tell even half of the story of what a school is truly about.  In fact it doesn't even represent what schools are really doing to prepare kids for tomorrow.

Every Tuesday, share your story with the hashtag, #TxEdTuesday, and if kids are demonstrating learning far beyond a multiple choice test, be sure to add #NotOnTheTest, so everyone can see what your school is all about.