Educational Issues 
What is the GITA Link?
GITA Link is a communication space designed for teachers of the Gulf Island Teacher's Association. This space is used to access updates, view upcoming events and discuss issues pertaining to teacher's in the Gulf Islands.
How does it work?
Anyone is welcome to access the GITA Link, read updates and posts. In order to add personal posts, you must be registered to GITA Link. To do this, simply click on the 'request access' on the right side of this page. Once accepted, you will be given a password with which you can use to sign on and add comments or updates to any page on the GITA Link.
For video tutorials please click on one of the following topics:
Step 1: How to request access to the GITA Link
Step 2: How to Log In
Step 3: How to comment and navigate the GITA Link
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Michelle Spencer
Comments (2)
Jack Braak said
at 3:18 pm on Jan 7, 2011
I found this video by Alfie Kohn provides an interesting perspective on standardized tests.
You can access the video by going to http://www.educ.sfu.ca/news/alfie-kohn-event.html. You might want to skip the first few minutes of introductions and start with Alfie's presentation. This presentation was done back in 2006 in Vancouver but is certainly relevant to any discussions on the use of standardized tests.
Jack Braak said
at 3:40 pm on Jan 7, 2011
The issue of merit pay for teachers was floated this week by Kevin Falcon in his leadership bid. It has been roundly criticized for many solid reasons. This article by Alfie Kohn ,although written some 7 years ago, outlines the concerns really well http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/edweek/meritpay.htm. A little a bit of research on the issue shows that some 15 states in the USA have tried various forms of merit pay and none have any evidence to show that it impacts teacher performance positively. Unfortunately many tie merit pay to student performance on standardized tests. Arizona is one such state that saw the same teachers in the same schools getting merit pay year in year out while others never saw merit pay. The difference between the schools was the general affluence of the students going to the school.
In other words what the students brought to school was a stronger indicator of what happened on these tests than what happened to students within the schools.
You don't have permission to comment on this page.