Ret in OH - We are discussing National Board Certification for Exceptional Needs. Any questions? Are you new candidates or have you completed the process?
mimi - what is a contextual information sheet? help?
Betty - Mimi, the contextual information sheet is a form which must be complete and included with the portfolio entries related to classroom instruction
Betty - Mimi, do you have your box?
mimi - betty: what does it look like. i don't think i have one.
mimi - betty: yes, i have my box
Betty - The contextual information sheet last year was clearly labeled. It is one page long with 5 questions on it which asks you to describe your teaching situation and students
Ret in OH - Mimi...any questions or need any clarifications?
mimi - oh no! i checked again, i do not have a contextual info sheet. now what do i do?
Ret in OH - Mimi...in my Manual from last year (on page 23), it states that the Contextual Information Sheet is located at the end of the Introduction section...look there.
Ret in OH - This information was under the Introduction section...under the Following Directions section.
mimi - ret and betty: my panic is over. many tx. i located it in the intro section just like ret said. whew! what would i do without ya'll.
Ret in OH - That's why we're here! We've been there..believe me.
Betty - I was looking for in in my manual also but was not as quick as Ret. I actually created a template for the Contextual Information Sheet which allowed me to use the limited space provided on that page to best advantage.
Ret in OH - Betty..I did the same thing....created a template on the computer so that I could type in my responses in small font
Betty - I also did that with the verification form which allowed me to include more information, plus it looked good too.
Ret in OH - Me too Betty! We think alike! :o)
paul - when we videotape the students is it one student as is stated or a whole group with emphasis on one student . ThANX
Ret in OH - Paul...the videotape can be either dependent upon your situation. My literacy video was 1:1; my social development video was a group with emphasis on 1 student.
Cindy - Hello, everyone! I'm here to help mentor, if needed
paul - both can be 1:1?
Betty - Paul, it can be either way depending upon your teaching situation. I did videotape just one student who was instructed individually for reading and I also videotaped a group for my social dev. with an emphasis on the one student.
thutchy - What do you teach, Cindy?
Ret in OH - Wizzle...is that you Wizzlewolf?
Cindy - Self-contained Separate Classroom (k_5) with BED, EMD, LD students
wizzle - Yes, it is me. wizzlewolf I am just getting my bearings here
paul - ok. now the directions say one tape is 15 minutes and the other 10 minutes, but someone told me 20 minutes. Can you verify?
wizzle - This is a slow chat, huh...There is time to think!
Ret in OH - Paul....I know of a few teachers who videotaped a 1:1 social development lesson as they were helping a child with particular skills to help them be more accepted by peers, etc. (not something they wanted to do in a group...more privately) However..I thi
wizzle - Follow YOUR directions! In the past, some videotapes needed to be twenty minutes. However, things change. Follow the directions in your portfolio instructions.
Ret in OH - .....I think the social development lends itself well to group activity
susanlucy - hi cindy, i am new and could use some info
wizzle - Ret, HELP...how do I do I answer you?
Cindy - Paul: I used a 1:1 for my literacy entry as I was working on sight word knowledge.... I also used a small group for social skills with the emphasis on one student
wizzle - OH OH OH, I get it now Ret
thutchy - Are you talking about developing portfolios?
paul - is there any minimum amount of activities necessary to fulfill the professional/colleaguial aspect?
Ret in OH - Paul...last year our Social Development video was 10 minutes and our Literacy/Communication video was 15 minutes. It doesn't sound like it has changed any.
wizzle - Paul, NO. In fact, it is not the quanity, it is the quality. This varies immensely among candidates
Cindy - Paul. I have heard that less than 5 is not recommended and more than 10 are not recommended. This is a personal opinion from a mentor. not a requirement from NBPTS
paul - Thanks Wiz, when we follow a student's progress for about 8 weeks or so, should one theme be taught or does it matter?
wizzle - Paul, you may have been told 20 minutes because in the past some subject area videos needed to be 20 minutes.
mimi - do you think working on manners in the cafeteria is good for social development?
Cindy - Mimi- sounds like a very useful, functional skill.... Is this for a MH class? Do you have strategies to improve manners other than just telling the students ?
Ret in OH - Paul...I assume you are talking about Entry 1: Linking Assessment to Instruction. It depends on your assessment results and what the natural progression is from that point.
wizzle - Paul, you have to use your own judgement about that. You have to weigh the OVERALL eight weeks. You know best of your lesson progression and theme or themes taught.
mimi - cindy: it is an emd class for 5 graders. strategies include: demonstrations of napkin on the lap, wiping mouth, etc.
katy - how about job interviews for social development
Cindy - Is table manners an area that really challenges your students? If so, I would use it... if not, you probably won't have much info to analyze.
Ret in OH - Katy...job interviews would be perfect!
mimi - katy: job interviews sounds more age appropriate, what a good idea! thanx. i just have to come up with some strategies. perhaps role playing?
katy - eye contact, proper voice volume and modulation, hand gestures, etc. ??
mimi - cindy: you might be right. it will be hard to analyze it. manners is too abstract. i might go for job interviews :-)
Ret in OH - Role playing is an excellent method...don't forget to think about how you will use other people to support these goals and other settings. Make it as true to life as possible.
katy - so I could use the job coach/ job ready person in my video as well??
Cindy - For my social, I focused on a student who is over-affectionate to the point of making others uncomfortable and very impulsive, I used small group discussions to encourage self-control & appropriate actions through a game format
Ret in OH - Katy...yes....but don't forget to have them sign the Adult Permission slip
mimi - ret: tx again. my mind is clicking now!
Ret in OH - For my Social Skills development, I focused on a girl who rarely talked...especially in front of a group. I chose interviewing and introducing others. Different people and settings so that eventually she interviewed "strangers". More complex than this
Ret in OH - ....More complex than described here....great results...she hasn't stopped talking since! Amazing!
katy - have a selective mute - want to come have a shot at her??? :)
mimi - cindy: great idea too! i have a class of over affectionate kids. i gues that just goes with the emd territory.
Ret in OH - Katy...I think this girl was a selective mute also. Her teachers this year are still marveling at this girl and the difference. :o)
paul - Cindy, were you able to portray all of that in 10 - 15 minutes?
Ret in OH - Paul...Cindy left. My videos were about 1 hour long. Then I had to go through and pick the best 10-15 minute portion that best reflected the standards and the entry. Time consuming!
mimi - ret: actually, i do have an extremely shy girl in my class. i would love to turn her into a "yakity-yaker". great ideas tonight! many tx. i have lots to choose from.
paul - Jenny- Hi I'm in LA also. Have you found a local support group for NBC?
Jenny in Los Angeles - Paul, I teach in LAUSD. The teachers union has a very good support group. So does UCLA. Have you looked into either of those?
katy - ret - unless you object, I'll e-mail you for suggestions on how to get my gal talking.
Jenny in Los Angeles - Paul, or maybe you are not in LAUSD. Still UCLA would be available.
Lynn - I'm new at this - anything suggestions of what to do before I get "the box"?
paul - Jenny I work at Byrd M.S. in the valley. Does the UCLA team meet at UCLA, and do you know where the union team meets? Do certified people facilitate?
emilee - Just out of curosity...do the 99-00 gonnabes in the room find that they are "biting off more than they can chew" this year, just to keep busy? (until Nov.) ?????
Ret in OH - Any other questions about National Board certification?
Crystal - Hi to all, yes I have question about entry 5
Ret in OH - Em...I am biting off WAY too much this year. I have 2 student teachers, several college students to mentor, 2 tutors to mentor, etc. I did turn down mentoring new EN candidates due to my other commitments and a heavy class load.
Ret in OH - What's your question Crystal?
Crystal - Is it acceptable to use workshops that have significantly changed your teaching methods in this entry
Ret in OH - Crystal...yes. In fact, NBPTS would rather see you discuss one workshop that you attended and discuss how it changed your teaching practice and its effect on student learning...than to tell about many workshops you attended.
emilee - IMHO...it is perfectly acceptable to use such workshops if they changed your teaching methods to better suit the needs of students
Betty - Crystal, absolutely! The focus is on how the professional activities you highlight have changed your teaching practice and especially how it has affected your students.
katy - other than the mandated meetings with parents, (IEP - reeval, etc.) what other contacts do we need to verify in the communicaton venue
Betty - Seems like we think alike!
Crystal - I'm feeling a bit insecure right now.. because I am unable to think of a lot of things to talk about in entry 5.. I may have 6 or 7 and I feel like I need more
Betty - Crystal remember it is definitely quality not quantity when it comes to this one
Ret in OH - Crystal...go ahead and type up the 6 or 7 things you have. You may find that you don't have the room for much else. I had to really cut mine down and eliminate some items. So I would type it up and see if you have room for more before you start worryin
mimi - would 6 or 7 accomplishments of outreach to families work?
Jenny in Los Angeles - Crystal, I agree with Ret. Besides, once you get some things down, you will feel better even if you leave it for another entry and come back to it later.
paul - Jenny, i don't know if you got my message. Does the UCLA group meet at UCLA, and where are the union teams located..and are they faciliutated by people who received NBC certification?
Ret in OH - Mimi...again...it's the quality of the accomplishments not the quantity.
Hilda - Hi all! I teach LD Eng. in high school. I have been working away on NB
Jenny in Los Angeles - Any questions for tonight, Hilda?
Crystal - This question may pertain to entry 6.....I realize that IEP meetings are part of our job... However, if we took the time to provide pre-IEP surveys or questionaires to parents to help prepare for IEP's and then maybe post-IEP questionaires / surveys after the meeting.. Would that be considered going above and beyond the call of duty ?
Jenny in Los Angeles - Crystal I would consider that above and beyond. You could include what further impact it had for certain students or families.
Hilda - Yes, I have one. I am using the active voice as I write. But, I am having a hard time keeping some humor out of it. Is humor a big NO?
Jenny in Los Angeles - I had to curb myself on the humor issue - I was too chicken except in only one instance.
Crystal - Has anyone ever done anything like the pre/post surveys/questionaires before?
Jenny in Los Angeles - Active voice, you mean present tense? Can you give an example>\?
mimi - how does the scoring at the assessment ctr. work. if i get pretty good scores on the portfolio entries would this pull up my grade at the assessment ctr.?
Hilda - Yes, present tense, but a bit descriptive of the now: ie: as we gathered in groups several students blah blah... Hi Susan
Ret in OH - Crystal...I have always used pre-IEP surveys with parents but not post-IEP meeting surveys
emilee - Crystal, I did not use the pre/post survey idea in my entry 6. However, a few of the candidates in my little group did and their "write ups" were very well written. I believe the idea definitely has value.
Jenny in Los Angeles - Yes, Mimi. All the scores are averaged. But the assessment center scores are worth less weight than the portfolio entries.
Crystal - Could you give me a brief synopsis or send me an email perhaps of some kinds of questions you used on the surveys? Thanks Ret...
susanR - Crystal: we have gobs of forms for pre and follow-up. I do consider it part of the usual, but if it is not usual for everyone, then WOW, I am ahead
mimi - hey, jenny in la. i'm glad it is an average.
paul - are there any sample portfolios available yet?
Hilda - One of the NBC high school science teachers here in AZ was given bonus points for his excellent answers at the ac. Those points pulled him through.
katy - (portfolio x 15) ( assessments x 8) ( entry 5 &6 x 4)
emilee - hilda...if you are going for entertainment, I completely understand the desire to be humorous. I didn't want laughs, I just wanted to send Reece's Peanut Butter Cups and popcorn. (I'm not trying to be aloof)
Crystal - Yeah, Susan, that is something that the teachers in my school, at least, do not do.. I really do not know of any teachers who do it in my school system.. maybe there are.. however, its not something that I'm aware of
Ret in OH - Crystal..in Ohio...the new regs/rules state that you must create a Vision for the student's future. In the parents pre-IEP form, I have them tell their hopes and dreams for their child's future and their nightmares. More...
susanR - Hello to everyone, especially you Hilda. You need to take this more seriously and quit joking around
Jenny in Los Angeles - Hilda, description is useful to give a reaql sense of your classroom, but be aware of space limitations in the page numbers allowed. I would use it only as truly pertinent...
Ret in OH - Crystal...also, I include things like their child's interests, fears, what's worked well for them, what they want their child to accomplish this school year, etc.
Crystal - So do you feel that its something that I should use...?
Jenny in Los Angeles - UTLA's support group provides looks at portfolios including how they scored, Pauyl. Don't know about UCLA on that one...
Ret in OH - I would use it Crystal. I also send similar forms to any staff member that comes in contact with the child...as they see them in different settings than I do. There usually are some patterns of needs that emerge from all of the input
susanR - Hilda, are you planning to use photos in your artifacts? Did anyone else do that?
Crystal - Ret, so you have staff members who are involved to fill out surveys as well?
Crystal - Thats a good idea..
emilee - I used photos.
Crystal - Thats something I never thought
Hilda - Yes! I sent cameras home this week end. One of my "interactive Homework" assg. is to fix a meal for your family. They write about the meal and photo. themselves.
Ret in OH - Scoring: 13% for each of the 4 classroom entries; 6% for each entry 5 & 6; 9% for each of the assessment center exercises
paul - thanks, i'm p99@aol, so perhaps we can catch each other on line
Ret in OH - Crystal...I send them to the principal, librarian, custodian, art, music, p.e., speech, etc. Anyone who has contact with the child.
susanR - The last time I sent a camera home with a student, it ended up in a pawn shop. I had a spare, so I let him use it for art class.
Hilda - Disposable -$4.50 at Walmart. They went home with 5 kids. I can only hope that I see them again.
Jenny in Los Angeles - Hilda, that is such a neat interactive HW idea!
susanR - Crystal: To meet the regs for the Transition Plan, you must survey. I teach Transition Skills class, so the stuff like that is very important, before you do a plan.
emilee - I like that idea, too! Thanks!
Hilda - NB made me do it! I love it, and so do the parents. I have one a week that involves their family. It is wonderful.
Jenny in Los Angeles - Susan, that experience will help you throughout the process.
Crystal - Unfortunately, I've not worked very much with that age group.. All of the students are at the elementary level.
Jenny in Los Angeles - Paul, and others, are you all members of our egroup, besides joining us tonight?
Jenny in Los Angeles - If not, Ret can tell you how to join. Its wonderful...
Crystal - Yes I am a member
susanR - If you do not survey the parents about Transition, then you can still do learning styles, mult intelligences, etc, along with your usual assessments for present levels. Show these results to the parents, to help them better learn at home. Most parents just say do your homework, if that.
Jenny in Los Angeles - I recognize your name Crystal, but not Paul and Mimi. Maybe I've missed too many emails from school just starting.
Betty - Hilda, I love that idea. I have a friend who also did Nat'l Bd last year - she in early childhood did something similar with her students 5 science experiment boxes that she sent home with all materials and a camera and journal to write down their reactions. It was great and really involved all the families. Students were then encouraged to share their experiments with the class the next day.
Ret in OH - To join the National Support Group for Exceptional Needs, go to http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/EXCEPTIONAL-NEEDS Currently 235 members
Hilda - Susan, what test do you give for multiple intelligences. Do you give it in the classroom?
susanR - Hilda, will you use the pictures for the actual entries?
Jenny in Los Angeles - Susan, and what test for learning styles?
Hilda - OK Susan, you are on :0}
susanR - Hilda, I have one with pictures of panda bears, you just point at - so easy for all those EMD nonreaders I have
Hilda - And, yes, I will use the actual pictures, and one copy of one of the homework assignments.
susanR - The learning styles is a one page checklist- you just add up the totals, and points get you into highest to lowest categories of how you learn best. Just run them off- free- I'll send you some
Crystal - I would like to see a copy of that as well susanR.. :)
Ret in OH - SusanR...I think I saw something like that on the internet on one of our sites. (can't remember which one)
susanR - Well, you know I have files of stuff from everywhere. I got these from a grad course called The Divergent Learner- not a sped class
Vivian - I teach in a VE setting in Miami at a high school
Jenny in Los Angeles - Any specific questions we can help you with at this point Vivian?
Hilda - Ret in OH did you find that space was a problem? Did you feel you needed to cut a lot?
Vivian - No box yet! I can't wait to see what is in it
Ret in OH - Hilda...I had to cut ALOT! I used the smallest font permissible (Times Roman 10), put my header and footer inside the 1" margin and rarely indented.
Hilda - Oh dear!Did you get better at the writing as you went along?
Ret in OH - Vivian...enjoy your freedom now! You will be married to the box for several months when it arrives! :o)
Ret in OH - Hilda...my writing became more fluent...but then that was a problem because I wanted to express more!
Ret in OH - Hilda...you get better at writing in a concise manner. Be careful not to be too "wordy".
Hilda - I tend to want to describe a great deal. I feel like the won't get it unless I explain the student. Just like a sped teacher.
Ret in OH - Hilda...just make sure you are sticking to answering the questions and not getting off track too far.
susanR - Divergent Learners are those who learn in nontraditional ways, but do not fall under the Sp Ed categories
Ret in OH - I've heard of workshops for Divergent Learners but have never attended one.
Vivian - All of you have finished the process and are waiting for results?
susanR - One of the schools in our state is offering a new grad program in that topic- field? It is a good idea, esp to know how to make reg ed teachers see what to do besides try to refer all to sp ed
Ret in OH - I completed the process in 99-00 and am awaiting scores. I think tha Susan and Hilda are new candidates (right?)
Hilda - Yes, I am new! And nervous.
Vivian - Do you feel comfortable with what you submitted? How about the assessment?
Ret in OH - Well....Hilda....I'm not new...and I'm nervous!
Hilda - I bet, I don't even want to think about being where you are. It must be terribly nerve wracking.
Vivian - Hilda, What do you teach and where?
Hilda - I teach LD Eng. all levels in a large urban hs in Phoenix.
Vivian - How about you? Ret - -what do you teach?
Ret in OH - Vivian...I feel that my Literacy and Social Skills entries were very strong. Probably my Assessment and Investigation entries could have been stronger. The assessment center...I have no idea. I wanted to say so much more than what time allotted.
Vivian - Hilda, I also am teaching English to Juniors
Ret in OH - I teach 4th and 5th (LD / DH)...some inclusion, some tutoring, some pull out in Resource Room
Vivian - It sounds like the amount of time is so much for the assessment. I can't imagine writing so much at one time
Ret in OH - Susan...you also teach High School...don't you?
Vivian - Ret, what is DH?
Ret in OH - Vivian...90 minutes goes much faster than you think. Remember...that 90 minutes includes your reading the prompt, analyzing conversations and student work, figuring out how to intervene and why and its effect, and then writing it all up!
susanR - Only
Ret in OH - DH is Developmentally Handicapped (mild mental retardation)
Vivian - I teach Math and also English in a high school. Do I have to choose what "area" I am going to submit info on?
Hilda - Vivian, just Juniors? I teach all four levels? You must have a large pop. of LD's.
Ret in OH - Vivian...you might choose to use some of your students out of both subject areas. Example: You might use your English class for the Literacy/communication entry and then use your Math class for your Assessment entry, etc.
Hilda - Vivian, you need the BOX! Where is it? Did you just send for it?
Vivian - Hilda, yes, ESE is the largest dept. at the high school
Hilda - What state are you in?
Vivian - I do need the box to clarify all the questions I have and then some.
Vivian - Hilda, I am in Florida (Miami)
Vivian - Ret, I'll be calling on your expertise on the matter when I become more familiar with my undertaking
susanR - Vivian- we will be down there next month to work on our boxes with you in Miami, ok?
Vivian - Ret, do you have any suggestions as to what we should start doing now
Vivian - Susan, you will!!!!! How's that?
Vivian - Susan, where are you?
Vivian - What do you teach?
Ret in OH - Vivian...are you a member of our e-group support group? Did you get my list of things to start doing? If not, give me your e-mail address and I'll send it to you. There were about 20 things on it to start doing.
susanR - I am in SC. I teach EMD Transition Skills
Ret in OH - Well...I don't know about all of you (certainly not Vivian)....but it's 50 degrees here in Ohio tonight! Tomorrow will only be a high about 63. Brrrr.....(I love it)
Vivian - I printed out the numbered list I rec'd when I joined . .I will pull it out and take a look at it again.
Hilda - Ret, just so I don't start feeling too insecure, could you tell us some of the things on that list?
Hilda - Ret, it was 112 today. Probably about 95 now. don't talk about weather.
Vivian - EMD Transition skills? Please explain. I think every state has it's own "lingo"
Vivian - Well, the weather is rainy in Miami . . waiting to see what develops with that storm in the gulf.
susanR - Educable Mentally Disabled
Ret in OH - Ok...this feels like the David Letterman countdown. #1 Begin to make files for important topics and set up your filesystem. Include a file for each entry(I used the 3 ring notebook) Some suggested topics: Collaboration,Literacy, Social Skills, Ass
Vivian - Besides that it has been very hot and sunny. Perfect BEACH weather
Ret in OH - Oops...it cut off my words! I would never have said A_ _!
Ret in OH - Assessment, Self-Advocacy, Child Development,Various Disabilities within your area of certification, behaviormanagement, etc.
Vivian - Yes, I will become organized with all your suggestions . . . that is the easy part Ret, . . How about doing in our classrooms, or info to start gathering, etc.
Hilda - vivian, I have had a video camera in my room since day one. That helped a lot.
Ret in OH - I would figure out how you are going to set up continuous 2-way communication with parents and involve them more in their child's education.
Vivian - We refer to EMH (educably mentally handicapped), Susan
Ret in OH - Also...get a copy of someone else's permission slips, get them signed, and start videotaping anything that has to do with Literacy/Communication and Social Development.
susanR - Viv, you are behind the times- it is disabled now, and it is about to change again to Exceptional Needs, once I get certified
Vivian - communication with parents? Such as phone calls, conferences, etc. . . documentation to be submitted?
Ret in OH - SusanR...Ohio (if not national) has changed Developmental Disabilities back to Mental Retardation (what a set back)
Vivian - Hilda, you have a camera to already start taping lessons?
Hilda - Yes, I keep it in the back on a tripod. We have used it a lot.
Vivian - Well, the State of Florida needs to be informed that it is not EMH
Ret in OH - Vivian...yes...and newsletters, inservices, etc.
susanR - I know, I am just joking around- Hilda's sense of humor has rubbed off on me
Ret in OH - The more you videotape, the more comfortable your students will be with it and you will have a more natural video
Vivian - What was yours again Ret? DH?
Ret in OH - Also...save student work, assessment, etc.
Ret in OH - DH in Ohio is the same thing as EMH, DD, EMR, DD (it all means mild mental retardation)
Vivian - The videotape to be submitted is of one lesson? or a combination of lessons?
Hilda - Three videotapes of separate lessons.
Ret in OH - Your Social Skills video will be a segment of a lesson (10 minutes)...Literacy/Communication will be 15 minutes. My videos were about 1 hour in length...then I had to watch them and figure out which 10-15 segment best reflected the standards.
Vivian - So, Ret, you applied for certification in the mild disorders part of the ESE certification?
Ret in OH - Hilda...has the videotape requirements changed this year?
Ret in OH - Mild/Moderate (NBPTS)
Hilda - I am certain there is a third one. I will get my portfolio and look. susan help here!
susanR - I think the only reason, seriously, they moved from retarded to handicapped and then disabled, is because each thing gets a bad name. Actually, in the true sense of the word, retarded is correct still, even among those of us with all the name changes.
Vivian - Social Skills? What do they do have a tea party and socialize?
susanR - Hilda- I wasn't going to say it in front of all those people
Vivian - There are 3 videos to be submitted? interesting.
Ret in OH - Ohio is getting ready to change their criteria for Mild Mental Retardation. Almost every other state...the cut off is 70 IQ...Ohio has been 80 IQ (most of my students won't qualify any more..and will be in No Man's Land...and no help land)
Ret in OH - Check that again Hilda and Susan...I thought there were only 2 videos this year
Vivian - Ret, they will be sitting in my classes which are for regular diploma trac students.
Hilda - Very funny Susan, now I find two videos.
susanR - NO TWO TAPES
Vivian - What is happening with your "states" and the high school competency tests?
Ret in OH - Thank you! 2 tapes Vivian (Susan...are you causing trouble?)
Hilda - Entry 2, Entry 3 That's all. Sorry!
Vivian - I'm getting delirious and I'm beginning to wonder whether this is going to be worth it.
Ret in OH - Vivian...relax...what you're feeling is normal! You kind of get used to the delirious feeling after a while! :o)
Hilda - Arizona has decided to get a lower level test to the sped's. Which is interesting since they had a 95% failure rate in the reg. programs statewide.
Vivian - Thanksgiving is around the corner, so is Christmas, and before you know it, it is April.
Hilda - vivian, do you have a copy of the standards?
Vivian - Hilda, that's wonderful!!!!! I hope FL catches on real quick.
Ret in OH - Take deep breaths Vivian...there's plenty of time. It will all come together.
Vivian - That is what I am expecting to happen here next year (the failure rate) when it goes into the final phase.
Ret in OH - I had a few Sped kids pass the State proficiency tests and the regular classroom teachers were furious about it. (I guess they don't think I can teach them anything!)
Vivian - Hilda, yes I do have a copy. It really doesn't mean a whole lot right now. I am hoping that the box will make it all much more specific.
Ret in OH - Vivian...read those standards. As you are reading them, jot in the margins where you see those specific standards in your teaching practice.
Vivian - Ret, how is the general population doing with the testing. I can help our kids with the math, but the Reading is TOUGH
Hilda - Vivian, study the standards. And, go to the egroup and download the buss words, and the check list. They are invaluable. I have definitely bonded with the standards.
Hilda - Whoops, buzz words.
Vivian - The buzzwords? Where are they? I know I saw them somewhere
Hilda - Go to the egroup files. They are there.
Ret in OH - Last year 31 out of 56 4th graders passed 2 or less of the proficiency tests. (that's how well most of my Sped kids did). Next year, all 4th graders must pass reading proficiency test or fail 4th grade (what a mess that will be)
Vivian - What did Arizona do about the Regular populations failure rate?
Ret in OH - BUZZWORDS... go to: http://www.egroups.com/files/EXCEPTIONAL-NEEDS Type in File # 6534
susanR - Vivian, you can spend days studying the links and files connected to the site- they are listed on the left
Vivian - Thanks to all of you... Susan, where are you?
Hilda - They held the test for another year, then rewrote the math. It was a killer test, and held the reading. We pilot new tests soon. It is up in the air. Then, they all attacked the teachers and the public schools.
susanR - Vivian: I'm going to Miami
Ret in OH - Good night Vivian! Almost midnight...better get going too! Talk to you soon.
Vivian - Ret, they said they were going to hold back this year (in the elementary grades) . . and they didn't. In the high schools our kids are just not going to graduate.Hilda, good night. Ret, thanks for the info. Goodnight
