Teacher: You’re going to do your baseline test now, Charlie.
Charlie: Why?
Teacher: Because we need data.
Charlie: What’s data?
Teacher: It’s something we can use to measure systems. To see if they are efficient.
[There is a pause.]
Teacher: Think of it as a game, rather than a test.
Charlie: What’s the prize?
Teacher: There isn’t one. It says in the manual: ‘Any offer of a reward may skew the data and is not permitted.’
Charlie: Will you play the game with me, Miss?
Teacher: I’m not allowed to.
Charlie: Why not, Miss?
Teacher: Because … well, because they think I might help you.
Charlie: But you’re meant to help me.
[There is a long pause.]
Teacher: Will you do the test now, Charlie?
Charlie: [starting to wriggle] I don’t want to play this game. I want to do Lego with Ben.
Teacher: Later. But not as a reward for doing the test.
Charlie: Can I go out to play yet?
Teacher: Do the test. And then you can. But not as a reward for …
Charlie: [urgently] I need a poo.
Teacher: Off you go, then.
This post is for the June #blogsync hosted by Chris Waugh @Edutronic_Net. This month’s topic is testing in schools. You can sign up here.
Freeing the Angel 