Scores 99% on STAR, Failing A.R. Tests...

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Scores 99% on STAR, Failing A.R. Tests...

by Kate

Oct 22, 2009

My 2nd grader scored 99% on the assessment test (and 98% in first grade so it isn't a fluke)...but fails many of the ar tests she takes. It took us a while to get to the bottom of the issue -- but my question is how to get the teachers to teach the importance of reading and comprehending vs getting a good grade on the test? They give awards each week if you get a 100% on an ar test..but no one even tells us if they get a 60% or worse...they ignore it (teachers do) until the report card comes out.

So, how do I communicate a better way to help the kids through this?

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Jake Kate, great question. Really, once you tie a score to a test, it may be a common reality that the student is chaing after recognition. Whether competition, parents approval, teachers approval, etc. One idea may be to step away from "Scores". As in a Score of 100% does not lead to a reward. It leads you to the next task which may be reading your boo...See More

Oct 23, 2009

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Deb ms/IA You need to look at the type of books she is reading. Instead of focusing on the 98 percent lets look at the book titles she is reading. The STAR is only a vocabulary test. It is NOT a comprehension test. So this problem may be comprehension.

So get a print out of all the books she has read this quarter. Look at the titles. Look at the bo...See MoreYou need to look at the type of books she is reading. Instead of focusing on the 98 percent lets look at the book titles she is reading. The STAR is only a vocabulary test. It is NOT a comprehension test. So this problem may be comprehension.

So get a print out of all the books she has read this quarter. Look at the titles. Look at the book levels. Here are a couple of questions to answer from this printout.

What level are the books?

What is your child's ZPD level?

How often is she testing?

Is she reading things he is interested in?

Help her pick books at his level and talk it over with the teacher.

Now you you got at the bottom of this issue? That is comprehension. Teachers don't use individual AR books to teach comprehension. Comprehension comes from reading books at the independent level(comfort level) books. It doesn't come from reading too hard, long or difficult levels. So your child is somehow choosing the wrong books OR not reading them.

Reading and comprehension lesson come from the regular reading curriculum. AR is a supplement that monitors independent reading.

Your school does need to look at the rewards sytem but AR states that growth in comprehension takes place if the child scores between 80 percent and 100 percent. If students are getting too many 60 percents they are not reading appropriate level books.

Deb ms/IA

> On 10/22/09, Kate wrote: >> My 2nd grader scored 99% on the assessment test (and 98% in >> first grade so it isn't a fluke)...but fails many of the ar >> tests she takes. It took us a while to get to the bottom of >> the issue -- but my question is how to get the teachers to >> teach the importance of reading and comprehending vs >> getting a good grade on the test? They give awards each >> week if you get a 100% on an ar test..but no one even tells >> us if they get a 60% or worse...they ignore it (teachers >> do) until the report card comes out. >> >> So, how do I communicate a better way to help the kids >> through this?

Oct 23, 2009

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