Students are taking the math and English assessments today.  So many things are unfair about this situation that I have to blog.  A lot of things around here signal to me that there is an inequity between the educational experience I received and the ones students in the South Bronx receive, but today I can so easily qualify and quantify it that I have to write.

 First, we all planned to give this assessment on October 3rd, but I guess plans change.  Now the students have to take both the math and english exams today with no forwarding warning.  Throw in there that they already had a Global Studies exam, and you get the epitomy of unfair diagnosis - these students are taking 3 tests (out of 5 classes) today with absolutely no forward warning - I always had time and never had any other tests.

Second, the numbers…I SHARE a classroom with another teacher, and in her fifth period class, she has the state maximum - 343 students.  There are 33 chairs in the room, so Leo always has to sit on a milk crate.  Today, as he was administered his assessment, he said “this has to be illegal.  I think he’s right.

 Third, the company accidentally forgot to include a teacher prompt booklet for any of the tests.  So all of the teachers have to wing it using student booklets.  I don’t know how standard that makes it, but my guess is not very.

Fourth…a student is actually sharing the desk with me right now, because we usually sit 7 kids at desks meant for 6 (even with Leo on the crate).  So my typing is probably incredibly disruptive (I now realize), and while there is more to say, she is more important…