Teaching with Integrity

Today's post isn't actually about high stakes testing... it's just about testing. I'm the Head of an ESL Department and ESL exams, by the stringent UK exam standards, are quite lenient. They can be taken and retaken at the pace of the learner, as long as different versions of the test are taken. The Department Head monitors the student marks, the teachers' marking, and has everything organised and ready when the Verifier comes in to check the department.

Ergo, there's no reason for us to cheat. If kids don't pass, they can study and retake the exam.

Yet today a staff member casually commented "Well, you could just use a black pen and change something, couldn't you?" ::blink blink:: "No... No I could not."

I couldn't not because it's physically impossible. The authorities won't check the timestamp on the ink on the exam... I have black pens... I could do it.

But I can't... I can't because I have integrity. I can't because it isn't good for my students...

1. It isn't good because kids need to learn how to fail. The more I teach, the more I see the same pattern: if you do your homework, ask for help when you need it, show up to school on time everyday and give it your best... 99% of the time, you pass. Hard work is what's needed in school, not super brains, amazing technology, or even 1-1 tutoring. 
2. It isn't good because IF students pass without earning it, they will merely move to a more difficult class they are completely unprepared for... #useless 

There are days when I'm heart broken because a really hard working student hasn't made it. Yet somewhere deep down inside my head and heart I know that they will be better people if they can pick themselves up, dust off the grime of failure, and give it another go. If they learn nothing else except courage, the value of hard work, and honesty in my classroom, I'll be rich in success indeed.