Reflection

NIPW
Teaching Conventions in a State-Mandated Testing Context
By Bonnie Mary Warne

Bonnie Warne had a difficult problem – balancing state and district demands with her research-based knowledge that students need to modify “their language usage to conform to Standard American English conventions.” And rather than roll over and change her program, moan and groan, wring her hands and complain about it during lunch, Warne solved it! (This in itself is worth admiration, in my book).

I also admire Warne’s quandary when she had to admit to her most problem students that she, as tenured English teacher, could not explain why To Kill a Mockingbird author, Harper Lee, used commas in some places and not others. With a lot of research, Warne finally found some sort of explanation. Again, not only are Warne’s actions admirable, but also she honored the student’s frustration and was determined to find that right answer! It might have been easier to just ignore the complaints, from the students, which would have also insinuated that they were the ones who didn’t get.

However, Warne’s concerns about her kids passing the ISAT, drives her to build concrete sidewalks to their success. This is an uphill battle, because of the culture of her Eastern Idaho community where it’s acceptable to use their “ranching-dialect” and “ain’t,” even when they’re not singing country western songs. Eventually, it seems as if Warne was able to get through to her students that speaking and writing in slang only leaves a long, bad impression.

Again, Warne’s ability to deal with both the demands of administration and remaining loyal to her research-based knowledge is commendable! Hats off to Warne! Nicely written article, too!