Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted

Idea behind the song:

This is the quote that allegedly could be found on Albert Einstein's door at Princeton University. I often wonder what a mind like his needed to develop and thrive. And, I wonder what he would have said about this whole high-stakes testing movement. Einstein had many difficulties in mathematics and school in general. How many tests would have branded him and his schools, failing? How many of his creative-divergent thoughts would have never happened?

Lesson idea:

I didn't really intend for this song to be used with students, although they are the ones under assault in this high-stakes testing movement. The students who are intelligent but not good test takers need a reminder that those tests don't count everything. I wrote it to encourage my colleagues to keep teaching what they know in their heart is important

This punative high-stakes testing climate makes me worry. There are so many important things the tests don't measure! Creative, divergent thinking for example! Open-ended problem solving for another. Current events, science-technology-society issues for a third. We could produce an entire generation of students unable to think like this!

I know too many teachers that feel pressure not to address anything, do anything that is not on the test. I hope we keep our eye on the big picture. Keep creating the thought-full memorable classroom you would want to attend, even if you "don't have time."

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."--Albert Einstein

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