A Discussion of Rigor and Relevance

Principal: Okay, guys, according to the Department of Education, we have to have a one-hour inservice meeting. I'd like everybody to pull out an example of a test question and in our groups we'll rewrite the test question so that it's more rigorous and relevant.

Me (under my breath): Like we don't have anything #$*@ing better to do on the day when our *#$&ing grades are &@%! due.

K: No shit.

Principal: Okay, first group. What is your question. Remember the question needs to be cross-curricular as well as have an unpredictable outcome to be in the upper levels of the "rigorous and relevant" quadrant of the pyramid. Okay, Mr. Science Teacher?

Mr. Science Teacher: Okay, here was our question:
Explain the process of photosynthesis.

Now, here is our question that is now unpredictable, cross-curricular, and rigorous and relevant:
Part 1: You are walking (that's cross-curricular: physical education) through the park whistling Mozart's ninth symphony (that's music education) breathing deeply (that's health class). Explain how the oxygen you are using affects the process of photosynthesis of the plants nearby.

All teachers: applauding.

Mr. Science Teacher: Now part 2 of the question:
Now, compare that process to if you were jogging through the park whistling Mozart's ninth symphony. How does the faster exchange of gases make a difference?

Art Teacher: Well, that depends on the gases being exchanged.

K (under her breath to me): No, that depends on your definition of "relevancy."

Me: No shit.

Social Studies Teacher: Exchange of gases??? I think we're in the wrong class. This sounds like health class now. [Mimicking a health teacher] 'Now, class, the exchange of gases leads to AIDS because ...'

Health Teacher: The exchange of GASES doesn't lead to AIDS!!! Didn't you learn anything in health?

Social Studies Teacher: Well, what does?

All teachers: FLUIDS!!!

Social Studies Teacher: Oh, that's right. See, now this is why we still need basic knowledge questions. Forget how jogging affects the exchange of gases. New question: What gases are exchanged through photosynthesis?

Principal: Okay, time to go. Good discussion everyone! See you all Monday.