Re: SOL Tests for fall semester

On 12/18/09, Jo to Bulldog wrote:
> I really didn't mean it to be snide. I honestly was confused by
> the disconnect between you thinking that they would get less than
> stellar results and do so amazingly well. It is a credit to you
> and your excellent teaching abilities and ability to recognize what
> your student need.
>
> On 12/15/09, Bulldog to Jo wrote:
>>> Why were you expecting less than stellar results? If you
>>> really thought they wouldn't pass, did the tests get easier
>>> this year?
>>
>> I didn't expect many of them to pass because they had been doing
>> so poorly on tests and quizzes. Many of my students (some have
>> reading disabilities and other IEP's)are low-level students
>> because they are poor test takers. Many have come to me about
>> their test anxiety and poor study skills. They have worked very
>> hard to improve in these areas.
>>
>> I don't think the tests got easier, per se, but I do think my
>> students learned how to take tests better. Not accusing you of
>> anything here, but if I were a more sensitive person, I could
>> view that tests easier comment as being a bit snide.
>>
>> Either way, I'm proud of my kids. And, I found out today that
>> two of my LEP students passed the test and another one of my IEP
>> students passed as well. The IEP kid came in and stated how
>> thrilled he was since this was the first SOL he had passed since
>> 5th grade. He said that there were many questions he didn't
>> remember, but he did say that he took my advice and answered the
>> ones he knew and then tried to work out the others.
>>
>> Definitely a teacher moment!