Why are we working so hard?

Yesterday I was going over the agenda for the week with my students so they know my expectations and feel prepared. While going over the agenda a student said, “Miss you are treating this like a STAAR tested subject.”  I knew what they meant without asking further.  This students was implying I give too much work and push them too much since they do not have to take a STAAR test.  Is my class any less important because they do not have to take a STAAR?  I hope not, I definitely don’t think that, but that is the message our districts and schools send.  In high school, Algebra 1, Biology, English 1 and 2, and U.S. history are the tested and therefore important subjects.  Not only do these classes get extra resources from the school, students focus more energy on these classes.  Should I as a teacher view my class as less important? Absolutely not! I love my subject and teach my class the same way I would if it was STAAR tested.  

My response to the student was that a test does not define a class, just like it does not define a person.  One test does not determine how important a class is.  You are learning skills and resources that will help you be successful.  I try to create a culture in my class where we always work hard to better ourselves, but when a student asks in March why we do work so hard, I feel like I am fighting a failing battle.  Today I came in with the same mentality I always do, work hard and push my students to success.  I won’t change my lessons because students think it’s less important. I hope to change the mindsets of my students.