A recent survey by the Louisiana Association of Educators shows a majority of Louisiana teachers believe students are being tested too much in regards to state-required standardized tests.
The survey shows 78% of LAE teacher-members who participated in the poll think the current amount of standardized tests is excessive and takes too much time away from classroom instruction.
In a press release, LAE President Debbie Meaux says the survey results are not surprising, adding they’re in line with a recent poll by the National Education Association that showed 58% of U.S. member-teachers say they feel they’re spending too much time preparing for tests. The national survey also shows 45% of teachers said they have considered changing careers due to the pressure brought on by standardized testing.
“The overemphasis on standardized testing in Louisiana’s school accountability system hampers educators’ abilities to focus on providing students with the broad range of learning experiences that promote the innovation, creativity, and deep subject-matter knowledge needed to help them thrive in an increasingly global society,” Meaux says. “It is very clear that the testing regime is a major concern for our members, and it’s time for lawmakers to listen to the experts in the classroom.”
The LAE survey also shows that Louisiana teachers are upset about students’ test scores being linked to teacher evaluation, with 85% of those polled felt that it was unfair, and that the test scores held too much weight in the evaluations.
