So it’s been a while since my last post, sorry for the delay. Now that I’m back into to the swing of Semester 2 and school is on my mind again I have been thinking. Tests really prove nothing except for a score that essentially only gives us a less than accurate judgement of what our students are capable of. As an Art teacher I find assessment and examination time quite disheartening, as it always focusses on results rather than process, which is essentially the most important part of learning how to ‘make’ in Art.

Reading through my Facebook newsfeed tonight has shown me that I am not the only teacher that feels this way.

Here is the link to an article from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jul/15/headteacher-note-pupils-viral-lancashire-primary-school-barrowford-nelson?CMP=soc_56

The article discusses how a teacher has written a letter to her students about how testing doesn’t show their true complexity as individuals and it’s gone viral on Twitter.

I know my students so, so well and I pride myself on using this information to enrich their learning and curiosity for Art, Music, Literature and all that life has to offer them. Tests are relevant sometimes, but judging a school solely on these results is harmful to what schools are built on, which is knowing their students, their families and their indivuality – why doesn’t any government policy ever truly look into this, the most intrinsic factor to how well students become whole, rounded individuals. Rather they focus on results and numbers, none of which matters when I see their faces everyday waiting for me to help them through not only the curriculum but also all their complex emotional, personal and raw human needs. I wish someone would really look at the system and give us the support for what we do best – nurture.