Miki Litmanovitz, a Teach for America alum, makes the case that teaching to the test might not be so bad if we had better and more well-rounded tests:
Are you concerned that because many tests cover only math and reading, schools will pay too little attention to science and history? Then let's make schools accountable for their science and history test scores rather than just math and reading. Are you worried that teachers are focusing on test-taking strategies instead of the concrete math and reading skills that students will need in the real world? Then ask rigorous questions that reflect the kinds of skills that allow students to succeed on their paths to becoming doctors, construction workers or computer scientists.
In a related piece from our Teacher PD Sourcebook, middle school teacher Heather Wolpert-Gawron says teachers can start by diversifying and deepening their own classroom assessments.