Daniel Hanson (to CNYTeach

Posted on 11/04/09

On 11/04/09, cnyteach wrote:
> The OP did not say what state they are from. In NYS, in order to
> get HS credit for a MS class, they need to pass a state exam. So
> after Spanish in 7th and 8th grade, there is the NYS Proficiency
> Exam. If they get a passing grade of 65 or better, they go to
> Spanish 2. If not, then they take Spanish 1. At my school, we
> frequently get transfer students from other states that do not
> require LOTE. If that is the case, they all end up in the same
> class. The parents have no say in this, as it is not a district
> policy.

Wow! NYS is that strict about students taking Spanish in another
state? So, if I were a high school student in California, took
Spanish I - III in California, got A's, then moved to NYS, I would
have to be enrolled in Spanish I as a senior in high school just
because I didn't take the LOTE the first three years of my Spanish
in California? That sounds pretty extreme. I think that's great
that NYS is on the ball about testing these students, but the issue
with transfer students sounds a bit harsh. Maybe I'm
misinterpreting what you wrote.

> Differentiated instruction (defined as different teaching that
> reaches the same outcome) can work well in times like these. The
> problem I see tho is that the term of "differentiated
> instruction" is bantered about like hot cakes and it doesn't
> always mean the same thing to the same ppl. I know some
> teachers that give three different things to three diff ppl in
> the same class....the instruction doesn't lead to the same
> outcome, but the test is the same. 2/3 don't do well. A rose by
> any other name isn't necessarily "differentiated instruction".

Yeah, that's true. I would like to get better at differentiated
instruction, but right now I'm just trying to become better at
other things, like consistency in instruction and classroom
management, and grading. :) (I'm mid-way through my 5th year of
teaching.)

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