Strict Pacing vs. Student Success

Well no one wants to feel like a teaching robot but there have to be guidelines so that all schools will meet their goals by the static deadline. We have to teach to the test since that's what we (and the students) will be graded on.

the district's expectations are high, but the resources and the timeline make it an impossible task

Frankly, I think you're missing the point. As an experienced and educated teacher, I'm insulted by the entire premise of "pacing". Do they really think at this point, after teacher more than 12 years, that I need some sort of "schedule" to keep my on track? Further, I thought the objective was to "teach". What if my students need an extra day on teh topic - should I just move on because the "oh so masterfully thought out pacing" says so? I'm just getting tired of being transformed into a teaching robot...

Hi there. I can't tell you how many times I've discussed this with my colleagues. I have been overwhelmed with the same problem, and I've been teaching for over a decade! I try to involve parents as often as i can, and try to communicate 1-on-1 with students to see if there is a bigger issue that keeps them from understanding the material. I also play games that address comprehension in a fun way or use thumbs-up/thumbs-down when I introduce Chapter Topics to see which students are having a hard time. I also like to group struggling students with students who are excelling in the class so they can help each other. I have heard of some creative solutions, but each school is different so it's hard to give a universal answer.

Do you use any intervention tools or resources? I've found that assessing students frequently, with formative tests that only have a handful of focused questions, is key. It allows me to identify the areas of weakness as soon as they arise and then determine which topics I need to review with certain students. That way I can let the other students move forward while I provide worksheets or online practice for the students who are lagging behind. It's not easy to balance it all but our team agrees that it's best to catch the problem as soon as possible. Good luck, Mrs. A!