this test...

i decided to use woody guthrie's rebellious song--his answer to irving berlin's "God Bless America"-- to present some findings i'd found on standardized, norm-referenced assessments. i'm going to perform the song this tuesday, in class. hopefully, it goes well...

this test...*

this test is your test--this test is my test.
from kindergarten we'll start norm-referenced.
it don't measure learning or good teaching, but
this test was made for you and me

as i start teaching, i hear them preaching:
they say, "assessment must drive instruction!"
so i start testing and teaching nothing--by
this test they'll grade you and me...

this test is your test--this test is my test.
some politicians think they know what's best.
it don't measure learning, only compares you to mean, but
this test was made for you and me

when the scores get published and the schools get funding/punished,
this fuel the fire across the country:
"our schools are rubbish--a waste of money," but
this test wasn't made by you and me...

this test is your test--this test is my test.
those federal dollars are tied to "progress."
it don't measure learning or good teaching, but
this test was made for you and me...

nobody living can ever trust them:
those talking heads and them politicians.
nobody living can make me leave behind a child--
this test was made for you to fail

this test is you test--this test is my test.
from kindergarten we'll rank to see who's best.
it don't meaure learning, only compares you to mean, but
this test was made for you and me...

*with apologies to woody guthrie