terrible acknowledgement of kid sabotage (taks)

schools in texas are under the weight of a test called the texas assessment of knowledge and skills, or taks test. schools are rated and ranked based on the results from these tests. as a result, the tests are strictly monitored, stringently directed, and anal-retentively administered. 

today i got called into my assistant principal's office. i have enjoyed a relatively good relationship with this man; we have never been pals, but have been perfectly cordial. today's meeting however was somewhat unpleasant.

it started out innocent enough. 

ME: you wanted to see me?

HIM: i saw on this report that you didn't attend the training for the TAKS test. can you tell me why?

ME (glibly): i don't know.

HIM: why not? this is very important.

ME: oh. really? you're not being sarcastic?

HIM: no, not at all. 

ME: oh.

(moment of adjustment.)

ME: well, that was a busy week, we were getting ready for state, all kinds of things were happening. but i got my training later and everything worked out fine.

HIM: your colleague didn't miss the training and i assume he too was preparing for state...

ME: i would like to say that i did all the TAKS paperwork perfectly. the counselors in the office said that a lot of the teachers didn't turn it in correctly but that mine was all done right.

HIM: did you ever stop to think that because you required a separate training time from all the other teachers, you were taking valuable time away from the counselors who had to stop what they were doing in order to train you separately?

...

basically what happened was, i got reprimanded, nay threatened, because i did not attend the TAKS training session. the threat: this breach will go on my teacher evaluation. 

"what does that mean?" i asked, the glibness having vanished, being replaced by a confrontational defensiveness.

"it means it goes on your report. if you think of some good reason why you missed the training, let me know."

"no, i can't think of any reason." i said, trying to leave.

"of course, the TAKS is the most important ranking our school has; the only thing that would be more important would be our football team winning state."

"well i guess i just don't share your priorities."

"i was joking."

"really? i couldn't tell."

"this is not to downplay your second place with the one-act play at state. of course that's a nice feather in your cap. but blah blah blah blah blah....."

...

i spent my eighth period theatre class sitting and talking to a few students, watching a few playing ball, watching some practice martial arts, listening to one play the guitar as he strolled around the room. i was thinking how nice it was to sit and relax and enjoy the students as people and not expect anything of them. it was really nice. i needed it, and i think they did too.

...

ME (what i should have said): i have had several students tell me that i have made a difference in their lives. i have had a few say that they would not have taken or stayed in theatre if it weren't for me. i waste no time in worrying about TAKS requirements when i remember what i am really here for-- to teach students, and to learn from students. i refuse to, and indeed am unable to, change my priorities to reflect a meaningless standardized test simply in order to achieve a rank among people who understand very little about education.