Unintended Consequences

Another outcome, unintended, of AYP mandates is the tendency for teachers to start “teaching to the test”—changing their curriculum to ensure that students are taught the material covered by the test rather than the material judged by experts to be key to a well organized curriculum sequence. Ideally, what is taught in the classroom should match up with what is tested, but unless there is a uniform curriculum in your state, it would be impossible to design a test that fit the curriculum of every classroom.

Parents may also feel pressured by teachers and principals to ensure that children are prepared for testing. You may receive reminders about homework tied to the test content, or about ensuring that children attend school on test days well rested and motivated to perform well. Of course doing homework, getting plenty of rest, and coming to school ready to learn and perform are good habits for all children. At testing time, however, these reminders can also increase everyone’s anxiety by unduly emphasizing the importance of a few days of testing versus the importance of learning throughout the school year.

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