This morning I took the Middle School English Language Arts test required to add a MS LA endorsement to my teaching license. I love my job teaching ESL through writing in 4th grade. But it’s had me thinking about where I ultimately want to be. And I’m thinking maybe that might be back in middle school. I’ve talked this over with my principal because I’m not planning on changing jobs no matter what.I will only apply for jobs I really feel I might want to do.And maybe I will stay where I am.
So, a few weeks ago I signed up to take the test on the first day of Spring Break. It’s been awhile since I’ve done a standardized test. Growing up in Canada, we didn’t do these, so the first one I did was to get my Oregon teaching license. The last test I took, about 6 years ago, was for my library/media endorsement. I did a Master’s program in addition to that paper and pencil test.
Apparently, as with the kids, paper and pencil tests are long gone for professional tests. I had to arrive 15 minutes before my test time at the testing center. Testing center? It was a room full of 20 or so computers with people taking standardized tests of all sorts. Before I could enter that room, though, I had to register. This involved providing photo ID, getting my picture taken and recording imprints of both my right and left palms. Bizarro! I had to lock everything except my ID in a locker than i went on to the computer rom. The fellow at the door reread my palm, checked I had nothing in my pockets or hood, or tucked in my socks. Sheesh. Once I was declared “clean” I was escorted into the room to my computer terminal, where I was able to begin the test. It all felt very Gattaca.
The test was about what I expected. Like the students who will do their state test next month, I received my score once finished. It’s nice not to have to wait to find out that I passed. I am doing the Middle School Social Sciences test next week. I’m a little more worried about that test. No matter how that test turns out, I will be adding MS LA to my teaching license, once I send in the paperwork and a check for $100.
I haven’t had to take a standardized test since I took the GRE and took the tests for my teaching licenses about 15 years ago. Security has really gone up! I guess technology has made it easier for students to cheat the system, but it’s a shame test centers have to make testers go through such security before taking the test.
You are reminding me of when I took my test for national board certification ( although I did have to wait for results). It’s intimidating. Congrats on passing the test. Also congrats on making it this far in the challenge.
What a process just to take a test. Congratulations of passing! I like to find out results right away too. The waiting game is no fun.
Congratulations! I don’t know if I could take a standardized test anymore especially if I had to be “frisked” before hand like a criminal to make sure i wasn’t concealing any contraband.
My husband had to take some insurance and securities tests last summer and the frisking process was the same there too. It’s always great to have an extra certificate tucked away just in case a new job presents itself and it is too hard to pass up. Congrats on this one and good luck on the next test.
The atmosphere (if you could call it that) of the testing center was well conveyed in your account. I liked your lines, “Once I was declared “clean” I was escorted into the room to my computer terminal, where I was able to begin the test. It all felt very Gattaca.”
Ha ha!
Congratulations!!!!!
Joann Hulquist Sent from my iPad