I share with teachers the fact that in the typical classroom only 60% – 70% of the required content is adequately covered.

You can guess how that news is received.

I have to quickly point out that I’m not stating that they only work 60% to 70% of the time. On the contrary, they work all the time. They just don’t move with enough efficiency.

Again, for some reason the news is not well received.  The audience has turned. So, I offer some proof. I say, “Let’s consider the week a teacher gives a test…”

If a teacher gives a test on Thursday, that test will take all period. That’s one lost day of instruction.

But, if a teacher is going to give a test on Thursday, you can bet that the teacher will review for the test on Wednesday. That’s two lost days of instruction.

And if the teacher gives a test on Thursday, odds are the teacher is going to go over the test in great detail on Friday. That’s three lost days of instruction.

Now, let’s do the math. On the week a test is administered, 60% of instructional time is lost for testing related activities.

That’s a lot of teacher work… And no forward progress.

Don’t hate the messenger.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn…

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