I usually try never to judge others, because I have enough faults to go around. But after taking the CLAD exam yesterday, I understand the state of our education system all the more.
The CLAD is California's "Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development" test that will soon be phased out for a newer, modified version that will then take over. The essence of the CLAD exam is teaching teachers to have sensitivity to English language learners across the disciplines. It really is that simple. The test is broken in to three sections/modules for which a teacher must pass in order to earn the CLAD certification. (CLAD is not a teaching credential, but extra certification that a teacher may earn.) There are classes that are offered in districts throughout the state of California to prepare teachers for this exam; more importantly, these classes train teachers to utilize various techniques in the classroom to enable a broader range of students to retain the information being taught. Most teachers take the classes for all three modules (my district offered these classes and paid teachers for the days we missed our own classes, so there was no excuse not to go). I, however, am not like most teachers and crammed in only the third module. Because the district paid for me to take this test, I decided I had nothing to lose by taking the exam for all three modules just to see how I would do.
I had heard horror stories of teachers who took all three classes and couldn't pass various sections. From the stories I'd heard, it sounded as if the third module (about culture) was the easiest (to which I agree), but that's the only class that was still available for me to take. I was bumped out of the other two module classes I'd signed up for to make room for teachers who had been in the district longer and hadn't yet earned their CLAD certification. Since I've only taught one year, I was considered a bottom priority.
I had been nervous for weeks about this test. It was always in the back of my mind, trying its hardest to knock my other priorities out of its way so that I would focus on the test. I kept telling myself I would study, only to find that I had a myriad of other responsibilities that needed tending. So, I did what any good student does: I waited until the day before and crammed. I only studied for Module Two. I'd heard horror stories about that one so I gave it all of my attention. Granted, I only studied for part of the day, but I never took a nap, no sir! Nevermind that I had drool on my cheek; it didn't mean that I napped!
I arrived at the test very early on Saturday morning. I walked up to the crowd of teachers waiting to be permitted onto the campus. There were many worried faces in the sea of teachers. I couldn't help but eaves drop on the conversations of those around me. Over and over again I heard people say that they were taking the test for the second, third, or fourth time, trying to pass a certain section or two. My anxiety grew. I instantly thought I was setting myself up for failure for not having prepared better for this test. I told myself to do the best I could.
The testing was done in three hour chunks. You could take either one section or two section tests in that time period. During my first time chunk I was given the tests for the first two modules. I looked around and saw worried faces all around me. I tried not to let it affect me, telling myself over and over just to do the best I could. When it was time to begin, I jumped in head first.
I was the first person to finish in my room. There were many people there only taking one test.
I ended up with an hour and a half break between test blocks. I went out to my car, snacked on my lunch, and called home. I told my mom that I didn't understand how some people could NOT pass this test. Sure, writing comes easily to me so the essay was easy as pie, but that was only part of one test! I expected tons of theory and names to be on the test. Nope. It was almost entirely practical application of these ideas. I kept thinking, "JUST USE COMMON SENSE!"
When I went in for the final test, I was laid back and relaxed. When I opened the test, I had a brief moment of panic. I didn't know the answers to the first two questions! My arrogance washed away. But, as I moved through the rest of the test, I realized that I did in fact know this material. Once I completed the test, I went back through it to double check my answers and reread my essay. Once I felt confident, I raised my hand for the test administrator to collect my things.
I was the first one done...again.
I'm in no way claiming that I'm more intelligent than anyone else. If you could hear some of the things that come out of my mouth sometimes, you would know that I can be just as stupid as the next person. But this same thing happened with the CBEST exam I took long ago (the test that must be passed in order to earn a teaching credential). I heard many people stating that day how they'd taken the test multiple times and couldn't pass. Both of these experiences made me come to the same conclusion:
We let anyone become a teacher.
If the state of our education system is to improve, we must reform it from multiple angles. One angle is through our teachers. There are so many excellent teachers who make me proud to be in this field, but there are just as many who are hurting the quality of education we give to our youth. Maybe the requirements are getting more demanding nowadays, I don't know since I got my credential back in 1998. If not, then this is a huge disservice to our students. We need to ensure that we have the best of the best teaching our kids. In order to do this, we also need to reward the best of the best more fairly. More of the money being spent on education needs to be taken away from the districts and given to the teachers. I'm tired of hearing about all the wasted money being used by the districts that never trickles down into the classroom. I'm tired of hearing about district employee after district employee being paid more than most teachers.
If we have higher standards for teachers and offer better pay, we also need to ensure that teachers must maintain this high standard throughout their careers. One way to do this is to eliminate tenure. I think this system held a purpose at one time, but it is now antiquated. We need to be like the rest of the working world: facing the realization that if we are not up to par our job could be taken away. This will NOT hurt the teachers who already do this. There are so many amazing teachers who reform their approach year after year, evaluating what they do in the classroom to make sure their teaching is most effective. I want every teacher to do this. No more safety net. We have unions to help protect us (though I feel the unions have gained too much power and become a greedy monster rather than simply looking out for the best interests of teachers). No job should have the security of tenure, especially a job as important as educating the future generations that will lead our country.
Is this really all that revolutionary? To me it's just using common sense.
Considering all the teachers who seem unable to use common sense on the CLAD exam, I shouldn't be surprised about the state of our education system.
(Of course, now that I've written all this, I'm most likely going to get my test results back and discover that I bombed the entire test!)
At 5:03 PM, 
I totally agree with you. I'm a recent grad from a state university. Your comment reminds me of a day when we had a guest lecturer in our Math Methods class and some of my fellow students did not know how to do 5th grade math problems. That's sad...and it makes me furious that these people will become teachers and makes me feel undervalued as an intelligent and standup teacher.
At 9:19 PM, 
la maestra
i finished my certification tests first, too! even sadder: i had one test in the morning and two in the afternoon, so i decided it would very helpful for me to down a mexican martini during lunch. i actually took a nap during my afternoon session and STILL finished before the folks who just took one test. i don't get it.
At 1:56 AM,
I absolutely hate this tenure thing. Coming from the corporate world, I was used to one very important thing: performance. I did a humorous post on this subject, but I think you’ve captured the seriousness of the issue.
We have a tenured teacher at school that is absolutely the worst teacher I've ever met. He can’t spell, gives the kids book work every period. gives open book tests every time, and the list goes on. (I think it’s a guaranteed “A”, too.)
Yet, the system is set up (and this teacher damned well knows it) that the administration can’t touch him.
Why? It's called the union. They're more interested in protecting their source of revenue (dues) than in ensuring a quality education delivered by quality teachers. At some point, though, somebody going to have to take a stand and eliminate this thing called tenure.
At 1:44 PM, BotanicalGirl
My undergrad university had a large population of education majors. My god, some of the horror stories I heard from my (intelligent) friends about their classmates. I walked past the 'algebra for teachers' class on my way to calculus, to personally witness a ditzy blonde verbally complaining about 'how hard this math stuff is.'
Ugh.
Thankfully my own teachers were all very talented and intelligent. Sadly, one of my favorites got fired because his students didn't do well on the reformatted standard test. The one that my saluditorian-and-genius sister got a 70% on.
I'm starting to rant. I'll leave off on this subject for today.
Such great comments you guys. I was totally expecting some stranger to post that I'm talking out my ass! Nice to see I didn't get bitched out!
Dave, thanks for the compliment! You have 5 readers? You've sure topped me!
Anonymous 1: thanks for stopping by. Your point about math really hit home for me. When I work with my Independent Studies students I am predominately teaching algebra all night (even though I majored in English!). The other teachers working with me, however, NEVER work on math with their students. I later found out it is because they don't know how to do the math. One teacher sends her students to another department to go talk with the "math guy" who teaches in that department. The day I'm not able to do my job is the day I need to be fired.
La maestra: Thanks for the link! I adore your work. Also, it is great to know that I'm not the only one who leaves tests early!
Anonymous 2: You brought up something that I am very passionate about: teachers should NOT be allowed to major in education, particularly secondary teachers (this might be acceptable for primary teachers, though). Of course learning about teaching and the education system and theory is valuable, but that's what credential programs are for, IMO. I think it needs to be mandatory that all secondary teachers MUST major in the subject which they plan to teach. Sure, we change subjects and are asked to do different things, but each teacher needs to have a strong foundation in at least one subject matter.
Fred: you made the tenure argument so much better than I could. I agree totally with everything you said. I worked in publishing for about 5 years before coming back to teaching, so I know exactly what you're talking about.
Girlonthescape: (I knew your name, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment.) Great point about those tests! It really is a big game; those of us who learn the game are the ones who succeed. Those big tests really don't determine if we actually know this crap or not!
Thanks for all the great insight everyone!
At 8:50 AM,
Megan -
I think you nailed it in your last comment. The issue is people getting degrees in education. I had to take a health class in the education department to make up some credits I lost transferring schools - it was the only thing that worked with my schedule. I had taken two years of calculus, etc and now I had to spend a week going over the workings of the heart and it was tough for some of my classmates to remember the four chambers etc! It was depressing. I will admit my bulletin board was not the best.
I think pre-K through 3rd teachers should focus on how to teach reading etc. But for anything above 3rd grade, children shouldn't be taught by generalists - the teacher should have a degree in whatever they are teaching, with some extra classes in how to teach. My sons' school works this way, they have an English teacher, Math teacher, History/Geography teacher and Science teacher. Why wouldn't this work at any school?
I totally agree with you, too! Actually a good friend of mine failed the English Content test the first time, which doesn't have much to do with her intelligence but her knowledge of various text (she wasn't an English major in college). Maybe it was good that she failed, so that she would concentrate on reading some more classics and multicultural texts - which she hadn't done until then. Um, duh. I finished my test early too, and only missed one question, and I don't consider myself a genius either.
The whole system is out of whack. I wish I knew where to begin. More money for more qualified teachers sounds like a good start.
Let us know when you get your scores back! I'm sure you did great!
Amazing though not surprising. Don't forget that you're relatively fresh from learning/testing. But it is frightening that all sorts of low level people are teaching. Yes, low level.
Here in Israel, we have EFL teachers who are incomprehensible,and then the kids don't learn how to pronounce or read correctly. And don't ask about idioms and the finer points.
Megan -
Your commentary sheds light on a very important problem in education, teacher quality, and does so with both wit and good sense. It also got me thinking about the problem, and I've come up with a way to make things better.
At 7:09 PM,
Boy, this is interesting. I'm sorry I'm so behind on reading your blog, I promise I'll try to catch up!
I'm really impressed at how everyone who read your blog and posted to it agreed with you. After some of the offensive negativity I received at some of my suggestions- not so different from the idea of getting rid of tenure, or the idea that we let anyone become a teacher- I was pretty disheartened about the whole blog community. And I was even more disgusted when they gave me a hard time about deleting the offensive, idiotic posts!
Anyway, count yourself lucky you're among friends. The alternative is really not fun.
--MsPhD
Nah, you'll find that you knocked it out of the park. I had a similar experience last summer; because of the moronic NCLB law, I had to take certification tests for English and Geography, even though I have been teaching both subjects for a dozen years, AND have endorsements for both on my license.
I breezed through them, finished wayyyy early, and couldn't for the life of me imagine anyone failing these tests. I think I missed a total of three questions between both tests.
I understood your post completely.
Love the blog, btw. I've put you on my blogroll, which means all five of my readers will now know about your work.