I have finished yet another test from hell...

[Chicken]

Bahhh, these teacher tests suck. This latest one I had to take was the RICA (http://www.rica.nesinc.com/). This wasn't as bad as the MSAT (which is still the king of annoying). Test consisted of 70 multiple choice questions that were a quarter to a 1/2 page long. These were the most annoying and wordy multiple choice questions that I've ever seen!

Next, after you finish that, there are two (2) one-page essays, two (2) two-page essays, and one (1) four-page essay. Basically these are case studies of either classes or a student. They tell you all about a teacher and a class, and then you tell them what you would do with to help the class.

The student ones are more indepth. They give you about 6 pages of data (sample book reports the child has done, stories and answers the child gave, assessments, etc.), and you need to list three strengths or weaknesses of the student. Then list a couple of activities or strategies you would do, and then tell how those strategies would help the student.

4 hours... bleh. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Saturday (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.) if I don't pass, I give up... results in a couple of months.

[Operator]

I feel your pain :(

[thebyp2]

like teaching isn't diffulcult already ...

[Lamont]

I thought a few years ago the teacher's unions said that tests were not a good way to evaluate knowledge and performance (only in regards to themselves, of course). :)

[Living Media]

Tests generally aren't a good way to evaluate knowledge and performance - just how well a person can take tests. There is some overlap, but how a person does in a theoretical situation can differ wildly from how they do in a practical situation. I have a friend whom we all called "Font of all Knowledge". He had a lot of facts in his head, but he was pretty bad at actually putting those facts to any practical use. Not the least competent human being I've ever known by a long shot, but we all found it mildly amusing that someone who had so much information in their head (photographic memory) was so bad at using any of it. :D

Tests are one tool to use. They aren't the best, but they're undeniably less resource-intensive than giving oral exams.

[MMiz]

I had my teacher certification test this weekend. I overslept :( , maybe next time :)

[Chicken]

Originally posted by Lamont:

I thought a few years ago the teacher's unions said that tests were not a good way to evaluate knowledge and performance (only in regards to themselves, of course). :)
Well, in the case of the MSAT, it was basically a content area test in regards to mostly 6th-8th grade literature and language, math, history, science, visual and performing arts, human development and physical education, etc., almost like the SAT's in a way. This is great, however very few people keep up with what they learned in 6th grade, and it is impossible to study all that you learned in 6th-8th grade. It is basically Trivial Pursuit (if you've ever played that game), and passing it doesn't make one qualified to teach, a better teacher, etc.

This has some sample tests for MSAT: http://wu.freeshell.org/msat/test98.cgi/msat01.pl
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/testprep/MSATTest1.asp
-though these questions seem easier than what I remember.

[Robert]

Test from Hell Ehh? Been to the Cayman Islands lately?

[DizixCom]

You teacher-folk are soooooo underpaid.

[Debbie]

I thought teachers were the ones who are supposed to GIVE the tests. :p:

My brother-in-law and his wife are teachers. I feel your pain too. It it a tough job! So happy there are people who are willing to do it.

I agree, teachers are WAY under paid. I wouldn't even complain if my taxes went up in order to pay them better.

Where did I hear it.... Dennis Miller special maybe? Not sure. I heard someone say teachers should get paid a percentage of what their students earn as adults. (Interesting concept. lol)

[Chicken]

Debbie! So nice to hear that you wouldn't mind if your taxes went up to pay us more! Really, even if it never happens (which it won't), it is nice to hear. Our district is offering the following raise for us:

Last year 2001-2002: 0%
Current year 2002-2003: 0%

Yes, our contract isn't even negotiated for the last year I taught, let alone this one, but it seems like it isn't going to matter anyway. We're not even going to get cost of living (something like 2-3% I think). :( You really just have to ignore that aspect of the job. Yep, ignore pay. Sad really, but it's the truth, and while no teacher ever thinks they are going to get rich teaching, a couple points a year wouldn't hurt just to keep up above the the poverty level.

Honestly, I coldn't even begin to tell you what a joke it is, which is why you just have to ignore it. One example is that everyone in our school was to get $3-5,000 bonus for meeting the state target API scores (percent improvement over last year). This was an offer from the state if we met the goals they set out, much like in any job where you might get a bonus if you mett your goals. Well... enter California Energy Crisis, and they need a convenient place to take some extra cash. Guess where? And our union agreed to it! Go figure.

[Lamont]

So.....how do those figures for your raises compare to those of your legislators?

[Lamont]

Or, even, the school administrators?

[Chicken]

Well, school administrators get to deal with all the crap, from the district, the school board, the super intendant, the teachers, the kids, the parents, everyone else, etc. If you really want to give yourself a headache, become a principal. Teachers have off-track time (our only sanity), and I work roughly (very roughly), 3 months on and then 1 month off, all year 'round. If you're a principal, you don't get that. So if you figure in actual days worked, the highest paid teachers often get paid more than the principals do, even if the principal has a higher salary.

[Dapon]

And I had to go and marry a teacher. What was I thinking? Just kidding. I think teachers are a special kind of person and have all the traits that make a great spouse. Not that I want to marry you Chicken. But I didn't mary her for her money.

In her district, a teacher with a masters degree can earn about $60,000/year. That doesn't sound bad but they have to spend so much of their own money it's not funny. And with the current budget cuts she will now have to spend even more. We live in S. Calif. and they talk the talk about education but they don't walkthe walk.

And as Chicken can confirm, there is always continuing education to keep up with. College courses aren't free. And to add insult to injury, in CA a teacher can only write off $250 of expenses. We have receopts for over $15,000 last year. Wrote off $250. Gotta luv it.

[PH Lamar]

Okay, Chicken, don't get me started. Too late!!! I'm started!:soapbox:

In Texas, we have the EXCET tests. The secondary mathematics EXCET took 6 hours. The general Pedagogy EXCET took 3 hours.

The general test was tricky. It would give you a classroom situation, and you had to choose a correct response to a hypothetical situation. Not bad, huh? Then, you find that they give you 5 correct answers and you have to choose the MOST correct....or they would give you choices, such as:
The correct responses are:
1) A, B, and E, but not C and D
2) B, C and D, but not A and E
3) A, D and E, but not B and C
4) B, C, and E, but not A and D
5) A and D, but not B, C and D

It takes 20 minutes just to sort out the answers.

In my local school district, the Superintendent is the highest paid in the state---base salary $256,000/year, not counting all the perks, such as a $1000/mo car expenditure, etc. His wife is a principal in the district.

By contrast, the teachers are number 130 on the list of pay scales in the state (not the country, as our teachers would be waaaay down the list there). A teacher with a master's degree will top out in salary at $44,000/year....even with 20 years experience. No raise for teachers last year. No raise next year. The superintendent just received a $100,000 bonus.... "Just because" money.

The district cut insurance benefits in half. Right now, it costs a teacher $600/mo. to have family coverage. Next year, the benefits may be cut out altogether.

I started working for a school that had 19% passing a standardized test. I was hired for a reputation of bringing up "low" performing students. The first year, scores were 69%. The second year, 74%. The third year, 76%. The fourth year 81% passing. I wrote complete curriculum for free, held tutorials for the entire school before and after school 5-days-a-week, wrote thousands of practice problems (gave up a book deal which was being set up with a publisher for me by a college professor---and donated it to the school), wrote scripts for all the complaining teachers when the principal forced them to spend a few minutes on math every day, i.e.,
1) Write this on the board.
2) Say these words, "blah <insert math gibberish> blah"
3) Based on prior experience, a student will ask this question, "blah, blah?" You answer by saying these words, "....."
4) Draw this picture, place your hand here. Say these words.

The last year I taught mathematics, the math test scores were 98% passing. We were a State recognized school district. I am a State and National Blue Ribbon Teacher.

I made $34,000/year.

Do you know what kind of "Thank you" I received? I quote, "Those scores had better go up next year, or heads are gonna roll." No pay raise. No stipend. No thank you. Needless to say, I no longer teach math.

And they wonder why there is a teacher shortage now-days! :mad:

[Chicken]

I won't complain next time :D That's much worse... need to start up internet company...

[PH Lamar]

Originally posted by Chicken:

I won't complain next time :D That's much worse... need to start up internet company...

No, you need to complain. Teachers were quiet for too long. Also, it helps you keep your sanity. :p:

I am looking for a good domain name for a teacher gripe/rant/vent forum---No lesson plans, etc----just tell it like it is. All the domains I look at are taken, though.

[suppleSupport]

Is college level teaching generally any better? My sister's a research professor at Northwestern University and considering her starting salary was $50k/yr I don't think that's all too bad.

[kunal]

Ok, hold up for a second... how many teachers do we have on this board??!!

kunal

[Chicken]

College level teaching generally requires one to have not only a single subject matter degree and certisifcation (depending on school), but also a doctorate (which I don't have), and it doesn't hurt to have published things ro otherwise give teh bigwigs a reason to say, "...and we have Elevation teaching computer theory!" -to which many would reply, "OoooOooOooOo!"

As for domain names, I'm a bit sad. We had to take the MSAT (a Praxis test for those looking on google), and I was all set to register MSATAN but they changed the test and teachers no longer take the MSAT, they take some other test. It wouldn't make much sense now, but I thought it was a bit funny (I so do enjoy amusing myself, eh?)