My Thoughts on Standardized Testing

LINK: Parents-outraged-after-nearly-75-percent-of-students-fail-writing-portion-of-2012-FCAT-

After reading this article, I figured I should jot down my thoughts on this matter, as it has always been something that I have very strong feelings about, as I am sure most people do. By the way, the result of this mass of failings was that the State Board of Education decided to lower to standards for a passing score on the test, meaning that instead of 75% of students failing the writing portion of the FCAT, 80% of them actually passed! *winkwink!* What a great way to make educating our children a priority. Instead of admitting that something with the test is wrong, and thus needs to be removed, they admit that our students are just too stupid to pass the standards they set (which I am sure weren't too high).

Thing is, this brings up two issues now that we need to address: one, is the FCAT really doing it's job? Should we overhaul it, replace it, or remove it? Are standards really TOO high? Second, are our students really that inept at literacy that they cannot pass a writing test? Are our students really just uneducated? Whose fault is that? Apparently, what got the students was the higher standards placed on grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and quality of the writing. Now, in my opinion, I believe standards on those particular parts of a students writing ability should always be high. I am a big advocate in high quality writing and seeing how kids and teens write these days really grinds my gears. But the bigger question is, is teaching to the FCAT (which is what many teachers are forced to do in schools in Florida these days) the reason why so many students are so bad at writing, or are there other factors impacting it as well?

Besides teaching to the FCAT, I do believe that a lot of knowledge loss is being done at home, where parents are putting their children in front of TVs, video games, computers, and cellphones, instead of books and extra-curricular activities vital to a child's development. The FCAT is a horrible thing, but parents are not helping either. Text speak and ghetto language seems to be most popular amongst kids these days. The less grammar and punctuation you have, the cooler you are! And don't you dare correct someone for their grammar, oh no. That's not cool. I've seen what kids write on the internet and it is horrible to see that they cannot differentiate between there, their, and they're, nor can they differentiate between then and than. Nor do they know when to use commas or periods (often times they never use them at all). The more they get used to writing this way, the more it sticks and when they get older, they will have a harder time breaking out of it and actually may not at all.

Standardized testing in and of itself is a plague on education. Although I passed my FCAT back in high school, standardized testing did not stop there. Colleges forced students to take tests before entering, and if they failed a certain portion they were forced into taking an extra course related to that portion before being able to take courses required for their degree. On top of that, I was forced to take the CLAST as requirement for graduating, although my adviser later removed this requirement after I told him I did not need it because I already passed all my classes required. It didn't stop there, as I was also forced to take a foreign language test as it was also required for my degree. They really put a lot of burden and worry on my shoulders and on top of that, they weren't cheap. The tests do not actually test anything about what a student knows and doesn't know. It may test how well a student is at short term memory, but like high GPAs, passing a standardized test does not necessarily mean you are knowledgeable in that particular testing area. Because of this, I can't help but wonder why the school board is so certain we need these tests. Is it money? Is it boredom? There is no logical reason to keep the tests, so why?

Our country really needs an education overhaul. Our parents need to enforce it more on their children, our schools need to hire more qualified teachers, and our students need to actually start caring about it. How is that other countries can teach their children to value their education but we can't seem to get them to read one book? I'm not sure what the school boards are thinking or doing, but I think we need to get more qualified people in those positions, like, people with actual degrees in education or actual experience teaching, rather than the old farts who know nothing in there right now. Just my two cents.

Journal Writing for Teachers

I'm reading a book about teaching English as a foreign language (actually, I'm reading many books on this) and I found a part that is interesting and useful. I want to write it down here so I can keep a virtual copy of it with me all the time. The book is 'Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language' by Jerry G. Gebhard:

Writing about Teaching
...we can explore teaching by writing in a journal or diary. The purpose of writing in a journal is to have a place to record our observations of what goes on in our own and other teachers' classrooms, write about our discussions, consider teaching ideas, and reflect on our teaching. However, journals are a place for us to raise doubts express frustrations, and raise questions. The following is a list of what some teachers include in their journals.

• Quickly written descriptions of classroom interaction collected in their own and other teachers' classrooms, as well as analysis and interpretations of these descriptions.
• Tally sheets, transcripts, sketches, and coding as a part of their description and analysis
• Photos (snapshots) and descriptions of what goes on in each photo
• Summaries and reflections on discussions with other teachers
• Lists of alternative ways to teach aspects of a lesson (e.g. different ways to give instruction)
• Stream-of-consciousness writing (to let ideas flow)
• Reflections on language learning experiences 
• Thoughts on their beliefs about teaching and learning
• Questions about teaching and learning
• Answers to their own questions
• Summaries and critiques of journal articles and books
• Lesson plans and teaching aides

...I encourage you to write entries soon after teaching, while the experiences are fresh. Finally, at the end of a period of time (for instance, two months), I encourage you to take the time to read your entries thoughtfully, look for patterns in your teaching and thinking about teaching, and write an entry on this analysis. Taking time to review past entries is important, as it is through this kind of reflection that we can see ourselves as teachers and view our teaching differently. 

Some thoughts on college education...

I think I love college. I really do. The idea of being able to learn a mass amount of knowledge and information, especially stuff I really enjoy, and being able to use that information for my future career, is really a genius idea. Although, despite that, college education isn't perfect, isn't always ideal, and isn't always fair. It's come to the point where a bachelors degree isn't quite as amazing as it is made out to be. Sure, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get one, but it certainly doesn't always mean you have the qualifications and knowledge required to work in your field. It's not always the colleges fault, and it's not always the students fault. But it's come to the point where your college degree means little compared to your extra-curricular activities, your internships, and your portfolio. If you can't show it, you ain't got it. Students struggle to attain stellar GPAs, only to realize that their GPA means little in the workforce. A student with a 3.0 can be far more successful than a student with a 3.5 or even a 4.0 GPA in their careers, and I think employers are starting to catch on to that now as they have noticed the incompetence of their high GPA employees.

From an art student point of view, I have actually seen some really... bad... student portfolios and I have seen students graduate with these portfolios only to wonder where in the world they plan to go with it considering the hundreds of thousands of other artists out there whose skill significantly outshines their own. I'm not bragging about my own skills, I don't consider them fully professionally polished, but I know for a fact that I have made significant amount of progress in my skill and work and that I will continue to do so as the years go on. I still have a few years to go before I can feel comfortable being a professional in my field, or even seeking out an illustration gig. I won't deny it if it comes along, but in the mean time, I'm just going to practice until I get there.

The art world is a really strange place. I've learned so much about it during my coursework, so many new things and so many disappointing things. Honestly, at times, I felt strangely uncomfortable to be associating with other artists. It was like... I didn't belong. One of the things about the art world that made me feel a little less comfortable in my own skin every day, was the fact that now a days, "conceptual art" aka work that has little to no skill but a really cool idea (but not really), was becoming increasingly popular, especially at my particular college. I just couldn't stand it. I felt like the outcast, the rebel, when in fact conceptual artists are the ones who were supposed to be the so-called rebels, rebelling against traditional art that requires years of practice, skill and dedication to get right.  I saw things such as filthy mattresses with stuffed dead animals shoved in between them or crafty projects made of foam and mirrors to represent a self-portrait of some sort... or something like that. Or even white and black canvases splattered with drips of paint and odd shapes that my 4 year old niece could draw better... It looked like garbage, it really did. I'm not being mean because I don't LIKE conceptual art. I would be alright with art that has meaning AND skill. But this stuff often lacked both. It was just really crappy artists trying to be clever in some way but failing utterly at it and living in some self-delusional world where they think that they are actually doing it right! *breaths* There was no development of skill, there was only... garbage :/ I think their idea was that anyone can and should be able to be an artist. But, I beg to differ. Artists are not made, they are born (and that is coming straight out of artists mouth). You develop something, but if the talent and passion isn't there to begin with, you're not likely to get far in the art world. Honestly, I prefer it is left at the way it was supposed to be. You know you're an artist, you go to school to expand your knowledge and develop your already inborn skills, and you network with others. Now, it's something far more different. Something that can actually be mocked...

I recently watched a movie called 'Art School Confidential'. As an artist, I SHOULD take offense to the movie. The movie IS portraying artists in an unfair light after all, aren't they? Well, as a film, the movie did not play out very well. Perhaps, the sub-plot was too cheesy, but the film failed. But what the movie did not fail to do (and it is not necessarily praise to the director, because this movie was based off a graphic novel) was to portray a realistic (albeit slightly twisted) image of art school life and the art world. The class critique expressed my utter frustration I had every critique, in which I wanted to yell "this is awful!" while students praised and found meaning in something that was obviously lacking any skill or effort. I remember one student who often was blunt and honest during critique, and although I at first found him too harsh and critical, I later realized he was not only right, but that I shared the same thoughts and feelings he did, I was just too afraid to say it. Need less to say, his work was always amazing. He had stable ground to speak from.

I want argue that art should be this way and not that way, but I think I may have to come to terms that two different realms of the art world now exist. The one I experienced at my art school, and the one we see most every day being used in practical means: illustrators, concept artists (for film and video games, they draw the characters and background), and designers. I'm sure I am missing a few, but they pretty much all fall under the same categories. We see illustration and design in our products, in our movies, video games, book covers, animated films, and so on and so forth. This is the kind of work you will most likely NOT see in a prestigious gallery of some sort, such as at Guggenheim or Saatchi. Art in galleries is useless to everyone but the wealthy. Why hang up somewhere for only a few lucky to see when you can print it and publish it for the entire world? Isn't that what art is for? Oh dear, don't get me into the art world now, that is a whole other discussion and this is long enough already...

And that means that I must conclude. So, to put it simply, did I enjoy going to college? Yes, I did. Most certainly. Do I think I made the right choice in my degree? Not really. Although I consider myself a skilled artist, a studio art degree is a far cry from where I want to be. Like I said, I constantly felt out of place and out of touch with my classmates. Although we were all artists, we were operating on completely different realms of art. I learned a lot though. I got to understand a whole lot more about the art world, and I am glad I now know. However, it only means I simply wasted a few useful years that could have gone to development of my skill and the publishing of my work, which will now have to be done on my own time... In the meantime, I'm going to teach, because education and knowledge is another passion of mine. Teaching is an art form in itself. Now, we must find out, can it be taught, or are you born a teacher?

What's going on with... ME?!

I've been waiting to update this blog. Since I last updated it, I was just focusing on finishing up my degree at USF in Studio Art. Now that that is done, I can focus on ME! :)

Teaching is still something I will continue to pursue and I have made efforts to do so. I went through a long and difficult process to apply for an English teaching program in South Korea. English is quite different from visual arts, but not quite different from what I am. I love writing, as one can see, and I love teaching. So it seems just as fitting as art. I have always been told that I am a good writer, although I struggled to get my grammar and punctuation up to speed as High School didn't teach me much. Mostly my fault, but I don't dwell on it. I am just glad I have manged to catch up to where I should be as far as grammar and punctuation goes.

With all the new things occurring in my life, I think it is imperative I keep a written record of it here. I still love reading a lot of my old journals from my past, and I know when I am older, I will love reading this one too :)

College has been difficult for me, and I don't know what to think of my chosen major. Although I don't regret having chosen studio art, as I am incredibly passionate about this field, the degree itself is not worth the thousands of dollars I had to spend on it, from a career standpoint. I would have been much better off getting a degree in education and I think that is what I will do with my masters, if not, I shall see if a second bachelors is a better option. As far as the continuation of my education goes, I am not sure which path to take. Perhaps it will all become much more clear with time.

I am not sure what exactly I will be writing in the next few months, or even years. I guess, it doesn't matter. Just whatever my heart desires. I may also write some posts on art and my experience with being an art student. After watching 'Art School Confidential' last night, I feel inspired to write about my experience. Oddly enough, I do not disagree with a lot of the mockery in the movie. Many artists may find it offensive, but only because they fit in with the categories. The art world is not a fair and kind place and it is why I may not pursue the life of a studio artist. If I do pursue art as a career, it will only be as an illustrator. I just don't fit in with artists.

Until next time...

What's going on at the Tampa Housing Authority Community Center?

THA Students proudly displaying their Keith Haring drawings :)

So, as I previously mentioned, I also do a second "job" at the Tampa Housing Authority (THA) community center, Oaks at Riverview. Not too far from the Community Stepping Stones location. The center is for the children and youth of the community there, a community of very underprivileged families. In fact, in order to live there, you have to be of extreme low income. THA not only caters to these families, but they also place their communities in areas where slums exist... so, this kind of gives you an idea of the type of people in these locations. They are strict though... they have rules and they also do not allow anyone who is a criminal or felon to live there. Good. I guess they should be, considering these are really nice homes that are being given to these people.

I don't think many of my co-workers at CSS understand the amount of hard work and dedication it takes to work at THA and to be the ONLY art teacher there. Only my AmeriCorp leader (who used to work there as the art teacher) truly understands the hard work and dedication the position there requires. She has made sure to let me know on numerous occasions how well she knows I am doing, which I truly appreciate because it has helped to keep going. The "coaches" at the center have also told me on various occasions that they appreciate my work too, which was also really uplifting to hear. But anyway, this is all besides the point.

Teaching there is difficult. I don't mean that in a bad way though. One of the main reasons I have such a hard time teaching there is because I am a first time teacher. Actually, teaching there is the first time I have taught class sizes that large before. I teach a range between K-12 (I have written before on a previous post about the differences each have so i won't go there). They give me about 2-4 groups a day, depending on how many they get, and about 20-22 in each class. Phew! That's a lot for one person to handle! And as a beginner who has never taught a class this large or has never had any true formal training to prepare me for this.... it was quite overwhelming. It still is. :/ Despite that, the experience is more valuable than gold... well, if you're going to be a teacher it is. Although I am the teacher, the children there have taught me a lot as well.

All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at this location. I learned more than I could have ever imagined. It was as if a wonderful opportunity was just thrown onto my lap without me even foreseeing it. I learned a lot about the way community centers function and the way they handle and organize kids. I learned a lot about classroom management and lesson preparedness. And I learned about what works and what doesn't. Just SO much. It's not like I haven't learned anything at CSS, I have. It's just that I never got the classroom experience that THA has given me. CSS is more like a mentorship program, and I think I like it that way, because I get experience in both. I just hope more than anything that the staff at both locations have seen my hard work and has appreciated it as much as I appreciated being there :)

Lesson Planning

One of the most horribly overlooked things about being a teacher is the time that it takes to create lessons and plan them. Of course, this is assuming that the teacher is not forced to go by an already created lesson. I hear that many teachers are to go by a set curriculum but write their own lessons within the curriculum. I guess that makes their job a little easier. Regardless, creating and implementing a lesson plan, whether you created it or it is one you found and will be using for the first time, is not an easy 1-2-3 task. In this post, I wish to discuss a few of the aspects of lesson planning and what makes it so difficult, so that those who read this may come to a better understanding of it and may even appreciate the time and effort a teacher puts into them.

I am honestly still a beginner at writing lessons. I have not even been writing them for a year (which I hope does not make me seem less credible in writing ABOUT them). In spite of this, I have still written and implemented enough lessons to say I know what makes them hard. The only thing I am bad at when it comes to writing lessons is the proper day-to-day organization and planning ahead part of it. A messy curriculum means a messy lesson and a messy class (as far learning goes).

Some aspects of lesson planning that one must consider is the age group the lesson is being written for. If you are teaching a kindergarten class, then the lesson must be radically different from one of a 5th grade class. Often, the younger the group, the more simple the lesson needs to be. This seems like a no duh kind of thing, but it actually takes some time to figure out what is appropriate for what age group. It's a learning process and you WILL make some mistakes and you WILL have to often go back to the lesson and simplify certain points. Another aspect is time, and it is one I mistakenly ignore all too often. Each part of the lesson needs to be timed accordingly to the amount of class time you have. A lesson for a 45 min. class will be slightly different from one for 1 hr and a half class. Of course, the more time you have, the better, but often, it's not the teachers choice. Next is the objective. Without one, your lesson literally has no purpose other than to spend time. You need to think: what will this lesson teach? What will it prepare the students for? Is it a follow up lesson? And so forth. Having an objective is not just about having a purposeful lesson, but it is also about being a TEACHER. You are teaching something, so explain WHY.

Well, to keep this blog post short, I will leave it at that. of course, there are more things one can discuss, but for now these are some of the most important. As I learn more, I may create another post to discuss what new things and experiences I have gained from writing lessons.

What's going on at Community Stepping Stones?

First off, I'd like to state that my blog is going to have many various posts concerning different topics (and of course on the same theme: teaching). They may come in rather quickly, depending on whether I am in the mood to type/write or not. Today, I am. For a little bit.

I want to talk about Community Stepping Stones, one of the places I currently work at as an after-school art instructor. "Community Stepping Stones (CSS) is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization whose mission is connected to the quality of life in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood of Tampa. CSS is dedicated to providing education, mentoring children and adolescents, enhancing the community’s economics, and enriching the residents’ quality of life. We work through the arts to teach youth the creative and critical thinking skills needed to solve problems, make important life decisions, graduate from high school, and continue on to college." - From the website.

Right now, CSS is in a very developmental stage, probably in its earliest of stages. The current staff are stipend paid AmeriCorps members, such as myself. AmeriCorps pretty much provides much of the funding to the staff and staff needs. We feel a bit understaffed, and because of the lack of enough helping and hard-working hands taking charge, we seem to lag behind in development of our center. Many things go left undone and many kids are left with nothing to do besides monopoly and hang-man, and no one person can be blamed for that. It's a team effort and when things are going wrong, it's everyone's fault for letting things lag and not taking charge of situations. I'm not going to say I am perfect and I have no flaws, but I admit I put a lot of hard hours into working there, and I would never regret a single hour I put there. When I only need to put 4, I put 6-7 hours a day. And sometimes, with the kids and the way they are, it's just not easy. I admit I do enjoy the experiences that CSS gives me, though.

Anyway, right now, we are preparing a bit for the summer. It begins in about 2ish weeks. One staff member is leaving and another will be working 2 days a week. Regardless, I think we will be okay, considering that we will actually have quite a bit of good helping hands there. We have my boss's college class and a slew of other volunteers. Some include film-makers, cake decorators, and a music teacher. I myself plan to teach a photoshop class in our utterly undeveloped computer lab :D

About that. The computer lab now sits in a building that is probably hazardous due to the amount of construction going on, but the computer room itself is in okay condition. It's decent for now. We were donated a good number of computers by USF, but they are rather old. Either way, I asked my boyfriend, who is skilled in computer repair, to help me out with setting up those computers so that they can be ready for my photoshop class in the summer. So far, he is doing some great work in there, and it's actually rather generous of him to volunteer his time to us :)

Well, I thought I'd share that bit of info about CSS. More things are bound to come as we continue to develop our little center into something bigger. I foresee a great future for CSS! :)