Student Incentives Based on Test Scores?

I came across a blog post shared by @atchalkface on Facebook of a letter sent by a group of second grade teachers to parents for an end of the year incentive party based on scores on the high stakes state tests. The students could attend the incentive party for various periods of time based on the scores made on the state standardized test.  Below is the letter that lists the criteria to attend the party.

 

 

This concerns me a great deal. I know there are teachers that say external factors do not ‘factor in’ to test scores but students have off days or family issues that affect their performance on standardized tests. The above criteria are punitive in nature in my opinion. The blog author, @atchalkface, called for naming which school and teachers this letter originated.

I, too, would love for the school to come forward but with the backlash that will ensue I can understand why the teachers would remain silent on their actions. I find this insulting and belittling to the students involved. Passing on the pressure and the results of teaching the students tested concepts throughout the past school year and burdening the students with that pressure is beyond my comprehension.

Incentives such as the ones featured in the letter are contemptuous at best. Students can only do their best and should not be penalized for poor performance unless a student deliberately tanks it as a measure to get back at their teacher. I seriously doubt this kind of behavior would result from a second grader. Also, scores are to be kept confidential. If a student only got to attend the party at the specified time for not doing well on the test, then everyone knows how well that student did or did not do on the test. That is a blatant disregard for the confidentiality of the results of the test scores.

I agree and also ask for the parties to come forward that came up with this idea. Not to throw rotten tomatoes but to request they attend training on confidentiality and test scores as well as sensitivity training. Being caring and sensitive to the emotional, physical, social, behavioral and psychological needs of each student probably cannot be taught but it is worth a try on my book. Those skills are definitely lacking in this instance.

What is your take on this letter? What if your child received this letter? What would be your response? We need to take a stand on issues that occur like this and this situation should never have occurred in the first place.