Hope and joy are fine... once the fear subsides... A real life story about the Massachusetts Teacher Test
So I said to myself, I want to make a difference in the lives of America's young people. I want to be a teacher. Then I came to my senses, but alas it was too late.
Ha Ha... just kidding, no I'm reasonably sure I still want to be a teacher, tho' it still remains to be seen if I can cut it.
On the road to teacher-ness there is much to be done. You have to do student teaching, classes, study groups, and of course the nearly newly created Massachusetts Teacher Test. This test is so bad that over 50% of the people that took in the first time failed.
What is even worse is the circumstances under which they took it. No study guide, no one told them what kind of questions were on the test, no one told them how many questions. They were told that the test would not count, that it would be used for norming and they would receive credit for passing it no matter what. Three days before the test, they were informed that it would count, and they needed to pass to get certified. No one told them what the passing score was.
After the results were out the media in Massachusetts blasted the local colleges for graduating dummies and fools. The Massachusetts Board of Education condemned college grads too stupid to pass a simple test. The grades were curved to change the failing percent from under 50 to just over.
The second group didn't do much better. A little more than 50% passed this time. Their tests were also not supposed to count, but then did. They received a study guide two days before the test.
By the time the third administration of the test had rolled around, more than a few were grumbling. Jobs had been denied to students who couldn't get certified because of the test. And here I am, poor little me, ready to take the test on October 3rd, 1998. I remember the date because it's the day after my birthday. Nice present.
The nearest testing facility was 20 minutes away by highway. My father drove me, thank goodness. I got there at 7:30 am. They told us to be there for 8. They let us in the building at 8:30. At nine we began the first test. A two part literacy test. One for reading, one for writing. We were given a dictation of about 200 words that we would be scored on accuracy, punctuation and spelling. There were about 250 multiple choice/short answer questions (I didn't count exactly), and then an essay that was to be 400-600 words. We were given 4 hours for this part of the test.
After an hour for lunch there was the second test, the subject test. I took the Elementary test, because that is my field. Another 300 or so multiple choice/short answer and two 400-600 word essays. Another 4 hours allotted. When My father picked me up my butt was numb, my hand was cramped and my soul way tired. That test sucked so bad.
My recommendations if you have to take this test are first of all, look up any information on the internet that you can about it. Search through everything, and read any and all study guide information. If you can, take a class when they start offering them.
Go to bed early the day before. Eat a big breakfast, and bring your lunch. Bring a sports bottle with water, and have lots of pencils, just in case. Wear something comfy, like old jeans or a sweat suit, and dress in layers so that you can adjust your temperature in the room you are in. Take a walk on your break. If you take the test at Randolph High, there is a Shaw's Plaza across the street. If you take the test in January, wear gloves.
Relax, take a big breath. Remember that spelling counts. Use simple words. If you can't spell it or you're not sure, use a synonym. Study your grammar before you go. Brush your self up on proper punctuation and sentence structure. If you have carpal tunnel, or problems with your wrists, bring wrist braces. Take your time. Re-read. Make sure you mean what you say, and say what you mean. Write professionally, not profoundly. Don't try to sound impressive, just try and be yourself. Good luck.
These are all things I wish someone had told me before I went to take the test. This is a page that I wish had existed somewhere before I went to sit in that chilly little room to take the test.
Oh, and in case you're wondering? I passed.
If you found this page helpful at all, have a story about the test, or just a general comment, please email me at Simogene@hotmail.com
