Please enjoy this clever bit of poetry, courtesy of Omak High School Principal David Kirk.
‘Twas the week before break and all through the school
The students were studying for exams that aren’t cool.
The students’ work was hung on walls with care,
With hopes that high scores would soon appear there.
Technology is working, and the staff is in step
As the administration is quickly filling out TPEP.
The end of first semester is coming near
As we only have three weeks after the New Year.
I walk through classrooms, seeing great education being taught
Knowing that my teachers always give all they’ve got.
As we stress over data and the achievement gap
It is clear that there is space in the brains left to tap.
Then came an OSPI bulletin that arose such a clatter
And I rushed to the website to see what’s the matter?
What a great surprise to a new assessment name
As my students are struggling to hit the ‘moving target’ game
With education changing, and Collections of Evidence not coming back
The confusion with graduation, is rising high in my stack.
With no AYP and no support team to blame
OSPI called all the assessments out by name:
On WASL – Wait that’s SBAC, on Finals – that was EOC
Testing MAPS and DIBELS, no one is free
Smarter Balance confusion is on the rise
With stress and frustration in students’ eyes.
As this poem is meant to add joy and smile
Knowing that education always goes the extra mile
So many assessments for goodness sake
Please hug a teacher and have a safe break.