Photography course refused...

[dhphoto]

I received an email from my brother-in-law:

"I had heard that they were eliminating some electives from the curriculum @ Burton ISD because they were not conducive to the TAKS test "training"?????
The school photographer wanted to offer a photography elective and was shot down because of relevance to TAKS.I understand the importance of learning "Three R's" but there has to be a line somewhere.....These electives teach life skills and give our children confidence,creativity, and a sense of self."

I just wanted to get some opinions on this matter.

[robert t]

I took two years of photography and two of journalism. The school where my kids go added photography and broadcast production. We are in the information age. TAKS test are a joke. Life skills need to be a part of the curriculum. I give that ISD a thumbs down.

[kenw]

"Teaching the TAKS" has become SOP in most places. Unfortunately, it is a policy that ensures the jobs of the administrators but has nothing to do with the students actually learning.

[superdex]

That really bites! Our son is only three, so all I know is what I hear second hand, but that seems to be the consensus that public schools are stressing over these TAKS tests. I can understand the TAKS test was developed to "call out" any "bad" schools who weren't doing their job, which is a necessary evil. But (as with many things the gov gets involved in) it appears to have gone overboard. Some of my fondest high school memories (in the classroom) were working on the yearbook staff. We each were assigned particular sections at the beginning of the year that we were responsible for covering. This included: writing, layout, photography and advertising. As you said, it was an excellent life skill in many ways. You not only learned about the technical aspect, but it was also a great social lesson as it broadened your horizon outside of the books and you got a "real world" experience.

But then again, you've come to the wrong venue to get any TAKS = Good / Photography Class = Bad, responses.

[Tim-in-TX]

My wife's best friend is a teacher and she is frustrated because they are made to spend the majority of their class time (80% to 90% according to her) teaching to, and preparing for, the TAKS test. According to her, most, if not all, teachers would do away with the test all together if it were left up to them. And from what I have heard from others, I am inclined to agree with her.

[photonewb]

we went to an open house for my daughter last year I believe and they told us something like 56 REQUIRED tests in math iirc over the course of the year, that equates to something like a test every 3 or 4 days. How do you learn anything when all you are doing is constantly pushing these tests down their throats?

I'm not a fan of these standardized tests they're making everyone take now. I remember there was tests we took once a year, but they weren't considered part of the pass/fail requirements for the student. These TAKS apparently are required for passing the child onto the next grade. Ridiculous IMO.

[12stones]

The intent of the TAKS and all standardized tests is genuine in that they're supposed to evaluate whether or not the student has the base education needed to make it to the next level; however, the reality has not been in sync with the intent. Teachers and schools are forced to make sure that the students pass these tests at a minimum (and they do represent a minimum educational level) so that the schools do not suffer financially for their lack of ability in providing an "education."

[123canon]

TAKS= someone else telling us what to teach our kids or they cut off the $$$'s so much for the education system today

IMO all our elected officials should be able to pass the TAKS!

It might thin the heard a bit.

[SCone]

Taught for a year & when TAKS came up I began asking questions. Too many I guess, they did not renew my contract at year's end. My class was on Computer Maintenance, basically A+ Certification, so that's what I taught. But when TAKS time came around, the admins said that my class wasn't part of TAKS, so it would be used for "TAKS review". Which meant I spent all day going over TAKS questions with students. Pretty stupid question at times. More than once, I argued with the wording of the questions or answers considered correct.

I spent time on process of elimination, skipping questions, & strategies for multiple choice tests. The kids thought it was great, admins didn't like it though.

Made my day when several of the kids came by later to say how well it had worked for them.

[123canon]

Originally Posted by TLooney

IMO all our elected officials should be able to pass the TAKS!

It might thin the heard a bit.

not to get political but most of them can't SPELL it much less pass it

[Hikin' Mike]

Is this just a Texas thing? Just curious as we have two kids (10 & 7) and both are homeschooled.

[carrbowl]

One of the seniors I took photos of, didn't pass part of the test, she can retake it right before graduation. Instead her parents sent her to Colorado for a month---apparently so she can gradutate there???? But I still received an announcement from the high school here???????

[Clint_Smith]

I teach Commercial Photography and Media Technology at Texas High School in Texarkana. We started a new Commercial Photography course here at THS this year. If the TEKS (not taks) is written correctly and put into the CATE Department not the English Dept. (Career and Technology Education) Funding is available and our district bent over backwards for me this year in gear and support for the new program.

The trick is to get Photography out of the English Dept. Which is where the state thinks Photojournalism is aligned. But Commercial Photography falls under CATE...which means more money for the school and no TAKS alignment.

I even had one of my student place 2nd in Class 4A photojournalism.

[epoh]

TAKS.. feh. One of the main reasons I want to send my child to private school. They are allowed to use the Iowa tests of basic skills instead.