Todays Chicago newspapers are replete with PARCC test scores. How wonderful!! The manner of reporting on the scores, though factual, is done by indicating the 'Top 50' and the 'Bottom 50' in Math and English/Language Arts. For the most part, the top scores in each belong to the suburban schools and a few 'gifted' or 'classical' schools in Chicago. The 'bottom 50' are almost exclusively Chicago City Schools.
Whether its the PARCC, ISAT, Prairie State, ACT, SAT this constant ranking of schools and students is an endless exercise. It's an endless exercise in putting pressure on schools, staff and students. It is an exercise in placing standardized testing ahead of the important endeavor of classroom teaching and learning. It's also a means of government bodies telling the professionals what ought to be taking place in schools.
Whether people want to acknowledge it or not, this constant ranking also offers the sad psychological warfare of the 'have's' and 'have not's.' Come on, how would you feel if, as a CPS teacher/student/parent, your kids gave it their very best just to learn that someone or some agency outside of your school said you are at the bottom or ranked low or failed or weren't proficient?
I'm tired of this constant 'ranking' by outsiders. More harm than good comes from it.
Dick
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