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Standardized Testing Chatboard

Spanish Assessments?

by Sarintin

Jun 3, 2011

My concern is for bilingual programs. Bilingual Education has been around since the 60s and there still seems to be a lack of desire to assess how the students are progressing in their native language (and language of instruction).

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Chan But according to the original Bilingual Education Act (which, to my knowledge, has not been changed), the goal of bilingual education was to help students transition from L1 to English within a specified period of time (a year, if I read the original law correctly). It was never intended for students to be taught primarily in L1 while maybe just th...See More

Jun 3, 2011

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lynne On 6/03/11, Sarintin wrote: > My concern is for bilingual programs. Bilingual Education > has been around since the 60s and there still seems to be a > lack of desire to assess how the students are progressing in > their native language (and language of instruction).

In California we do have a Spanish-language assessment for st...See More

Jun 3, 2011

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Data Question

by Martin

Jun 3, 2011

I recently had an interview for a long-term substitute teacher position in which the principal interviewing me asked what I knew about data and RAFT data. I told her what I knew about types of grading scales and that I'm keenly aware of the importance that students score well on the CSAP (Colorado's testing). But...

My question is, what wa...See More

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My kid is more than a test score

by j.e.

Jun 3, 2011

And so are the teachers and the schools. When will 'the powers' learn? When will they ever learn!!

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Jo On 6/03/11, j.e. wrote: > And so are the teachers and the schools. When will 'the > powers' learn? When will they ever learn!!

Yes, your kid is more than a test score. It would be fanstastic if every school and every teacher REALLY focused on identifying and remediating the students that were below grade level so when they left schoo...See MoreOn 6/03/11, j.e. wrote: > And so are the teachers and the schools. When will 'the > powers' learn? When will they ever learn!!

Yes, your kid is more than a test score. It would be fanstastic if every school and every teacher REALLY focused on identifying and remediating the students that were below grade level so when they left school they could fill out job applications, have the math skills to do basic math, write a brief business letter, but we have reality from the past.

You may feel differently if your child, nephew, niece, grandchild, friends child, was overlooked and the test could identify that they really were doing poorly regardless of classroom grades. What happened to these kids? What happens to them now?

I would much rather my child tested each year on minimum compentency because I've seen school systems and teachers ignore below grade level work and push it off as not a problem. NO child should be forced to attend school when there is no accountability to the school.

I know there are plenty of issues that go into helping a child achieve in school. No one forces the schools to teach TO THE TEST - whatever that really means on a reading or math test which is all NCLB requires (reading and math). I watched our local schools start teaching "to the test". Do you know what that meant? All of those silly, non-learning fill time activities they had for the students FOREVER had to be abandoned because the kids were failing the tests. That made them mad. They now had to teach "to the test". They couldn't fill the days taking weeks to teach 20 minutes of concepts or facts. They could no longer accept students reading 2 grade levels behind in 3rd grade and call it developmental when they know the child never had much instruction in word blending, letter sounds. Instead of teaching a child the letter sounds he didn't know they gave books and told the kid to guess based on the picture. This school is still fighting mightily to keep its old ways and blaming the test. Fact is until parents couldn't afford to do so, huge percentages of parents were having the kids tutored. This isn't a poor school with limited funds and huge behavior problems and parents that don't care, but a school that doesn't like testing because it actually unconvers the reality of how the school is run.

Yes, my child is more than a test, but if my child is taught well, the minimum compentency standards for reading, writing and math shouldn't be an issue.

I could see this fight at the upper level for courses like Algebra 2, Chemistry, Physics, AP loaded schools, but when it comes to minimum compentency for reading, writing, and math, I am so happy the tests have been implemented. Now if we can just get schools to change their attitude and stop fighting the "tests" and start chaning how they run the school and really teaching well so the tests are just a mere window dressing.

Look at examples of RTI (which is not a special education regulation). Why should the government ever had to say, you need to identify weak students and give them more help. If that doesn't work, give them more? Think about it. The government should have NEVER had to tell schools this IF they already were giving the kids extra. Schools still aren't on board and some still have no clue how to do this.

My kid is more than a test, but my child's 13 years should not be put in jeapordy because of where they live with no accountability to prove the school at which they are mandated to be is actually doing what they are supposed to do in lieu of activities a teacher thinks is fabulous.

Jun 4, 2011

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CC The work world is changing. Some companies now have group "interviews" to see how well you get along with a group of workers. I know BestBuy uses this technique.

On 6/04/11, Jo wrote: > On 6/03/11, j.e. wrote: >> And so are the teachers and the schools. When will 'the >> powers' learn? When will they ever learn!! > > ...See MoreThe work world is changing. Some companies now have group "interviews" to see how well you get along with a group of workers. I know BestBuy uses this technique.

On 6/04/11, Jo wrote: > On 6/03/11, j.e. wrote: >> And so are the teachers and the schools. When will 'the >> powers' learn? When will they ever learn!! > > Yes, your kid is more than a test score. It would be > fanstastic if every school and every teacher REALLY focused on > identifying and remediating the students that were below grade > level so when they left school they could fill out job > applications, have the math skills to do basic math, write a > brief business letter, but we have reality from the past. > > You may feel differently if your child, nephew, niece, > grandchild, friends child, was overlooked and the test could > identify that they really were doing poorly regardless of > classroom grades. What happened to these kids? What happens > to them now? > > I would much rather my child tested each year on minimum > compentency because I've seen school systems and teachers > ignore below grade level work and push it off as not a > problem. NO child should be forced to attend school when > there is no accountability to the school. > > I know there are plenty of issues that go into helping a child > achieve in school. No one forces the schools to teach TO THE > TEST - whatever that really means on a reading or math test > which is all NCLB requires (reading and math). I watched our > local schools start teaching "to the test". Do you know what > that meant? All of those silly, non-learning fill time > activities they had for the students FOREVER had to be > abandoned because the kids were failing the tests. That made > them mad. They now had to teach "to the test". They couldn't > fill the days taking weeks to teach 20 minutes of concepts or > facts. They could no longer accept students reading 2 grade > levels behind in 3rd grade and call it developmental when they > know the child never had much instruction in word blending, > letter sounds. Instead of teaching a child the letter sounds > he didn't know they gave books and told the kid to guess based > on the picture. This school is still fighting mightily to > keep its old ways and blaming the test. Fact is until parents > couldn't afford to do so, huge percentages of parents were > having the kids tutored. This isn't a poor school with > limited funds and huge behavior problems and parents that > don't care, but a school that doesn't like testing because it > actually unconvers the reality of how the school is run. > > Yes, my child is more than a test, but if my child is taught > well, the minimum compentency standards for reading, writing > and math shouldn't be an issue. > > I could see this fight at the upper level for courses like > Algebra 2, Chemistry, Physics, AP loaded schools, but when it > comes to minimum compentency for reading, writing, and math, I > am so happy the tests have been implemented. Now if we can > just get schools to change their attitude and stop fighting > the "tests" and start chaning how they run the school and > really teaching well so the tests are just a mere window > dressing. > > Look at examples of RTI (which is not a special education > regulation). Why should the government ever had to say, you > need to identify weak students and give them more help. If > that doesn't work, give them more? Think about it. The > government should have NEVER had to tell schools this IF they > already were giving the kids extra. Schools still aren't on > board and some still have no clue how to do this. > > My kid is more than a test, but my child's 13 years should not > be put in jeapordy because of where they live with no > accountability to prove the school at which they are mandated > to be is actually doing what they are supposed to do in lieu > of activities a teacher thinks is fabulous. >

Jun 4, 2011

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Terra Nova

by Sharon

Jun 3, 2011

We take the Terra Nova in Chicago Archdiocese Schools. The test does not accurately reflect what my students are capable of doing each and every day!

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Pat Our school has given the SAT in the spring for almost 20 years (K-11). Now it is switching to the Terra Nova for the upcoming school year. Has anyone had experience with both so you could give me some insight into any similarities/differences.

Jun 23, 2011

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Marie I have the same questions Pat. Just curious, are you an ACSI school?

Jul 11, 2011

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Common Core

by lynne

Jun 3, 2011

Is anyone here using standardized assessments aligned to the Common Core standards? Pros/cons? I've heard that they will be more technology-based and given throughout the year. (As opposed to our current tests here, which are almost entirely multiple choice and given in April.) It seems like these changes are not so much due to the new standards th...See More

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Standardized testing and my reflection

by muse

Jun 4, 2011

I taught new skills several weeks ago and explained in great detail how to do something. Most wrote the information down on paper. Recently, I had a student ask me about the skill. I explained it all again. Instead of students referring back to their notes, they wrote everything I did again on paper. When I noticed this, I told them to go back a fe...See More

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muse yes, they are! I really wish the school would eliminate these "freebies" and just have parents provide cheap ones. Maybe I'll buy a truck-load of them this year for my students...

On 6/04/11, j.e. wrote: > I hate duotang folders!! At least, as a 'working' notebook. Even if > you had a different duotang for each category, they'd lose ...See Moreyes, they are! I really wish the school would eliminate these "freebies" and just have parents provide cheap ones. Maybe I'll buy a truck-load of them this year for my students...

On 6/04/11, j.e. wrote: > I hate duotang folders!! At least, as a 'working' notebook. Even if > you had a different duotang for each category, they'd lose one, or > not put the papers in. they are a pain in the neck! > > On 6/04/11, muse wrote: >> I did this years ago. I required a 3 ring binder and I had >> categories. I told them where to put what information and so >> forth. I reviewed with the notebook. Did it work? no. I think >> the primary reason it didn't work was the school gives out >> duotangs (those paper notebooks with the metal tangs to hold in >> paper). The kids and parents EXPECT to use these. It's hard to >> organize papers when the kids have those blasted things instead >> of a 3 ring binder. The kids who did use a binder were the kids >> who already had the organization skills and they took right to >> it. The others? It was a battle I fought all year with little >> gain except my grey hair. But, perhaps I'll try it again next >> year. >> >> On 6/04/11, Karen M. wrote: >>> On 6/04/11, muse wrote: >>>> I taught new skills several weeks ago and explained in >>>> great detail how to do something. Most wrote the >>>> information down on paper. Recently, I had a student ask >>>> me about the skill. I explained it all again. Instead of >>>> students referring back to their notes, they wrote >>>> everything I did again on paper. When I noticed this, I >>>> told them to go back a few pages to their old notes. They >>>> looked at me weird. Finally someone said, "oh. I don't >>>> keep those. I just do that because I'm in class." I asked >>>> her what she used to study and she said she just "listens" >>>> and that's "all i do." If she was a great student, I might >>>> agree, but she doesn't have one of those memories and she >>>> is earning a C. Checked her other class grades and she's >>>> pretty much a C student which isnt' bad,of course, but she >>>> could do better if she didn't think we will give her all >>>> the questions and answers in a review before every test. >>>> >>>> I was reflecting on my own test review practices and I was >>>> talking to a few other teachers.. We decided we need to >>>> review differently next year. for example, I tend to be >>>> too specific in my review items (vocab recall, grammar >>>> identication, reading comprehension), so I need to reach >>>> the higher thinking skills more. >>>> >>> >>> I realize that this is going to cause more work for you, but >>> couldn't you set up some sort of notebook review as part of >>> your grading system? It isn't just test review practices. >>> The kids need to learn how to take notes, how to refer back to >>> notes, and how to use those notes to be able to study for a >>> test (final exam??). Require them to keep a notebook all >>> year. You could do random checks (that would keep them on >>> their toes!) or you could set up some sort of schedule. >>> Depending on the age, you could develop some sort of peer >>> review where they check for specific items and use a >>> checklist, which then gets turned in to you.

Jun 5, 2011

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Karen M. I feel so old...We were required to keep one large spiral bound notebook for EACH subject, both in jr high and in sr high. Of course our parents had to buy them for us. My public school didn't provide notebooks, or pencils, or anything else (this was in the 70's). So require your students to buy whatever system you think will work the best. Use tho...See MoreI feel so old...We were required to keep one large spiral bound notebook for EACH subject, both in jr high and in sr high. Of course our parents had to buy them for us. My public school didn't provide notebooks, or pencils, or anything else (this was in the 70's). So require your students to buy whatever system you think will work the best. Use those duotang folders for project folders, homework folders, spelling word folders, communication folders, vocabulary folders, extra credit folders, Blooms Taxonomy folders, etc., etc.

On 6/05/11, muse wrote: > yes, they are! > I really wish the school would eliminate these "freebies" and just have > parents provide cheap ones. Maybe I'll buy a truck-load of them this > year for my students... > > On 6/04/11, j.e. wrote: >> I hate duotang folders!! At least, as a 'working' notebook. Even if >> you had a different duotang for each category, they'd lose one, or >> not put the papers in. they are a pain in the neck! >> >> On 6/04/11, muse wrote: >>> I did this years ago. I required a 3 ring binder and I had >>> categories. I told them where to put what information and so >>> forth. I reviewed with the notebook. Did it work? no. I think >>> the primary reason it didn't work was the school gives out >>> duotangs (those paper notebooks with the metal tangs to hold in >>> paper). The kids and parents EXPECT to use these. It's hard to >>> organize papers when the kids have those blasted things instead >>> of a 3 ring binder. The kids who did use a binder were the kids >>> who already had the organization skills and they took right to >>> it. The others? It was a battle I fought all year with little >>> gain except my grey hair. But, perhaps I'll try it again next >>> year. >>> >>> On 6/04/11, Karen M. wrote: >>>> On 6/04/11, muse wrote: >>>>> I taught new skills several weeks ago and explained in >>>>> great detail how to do something. Most wrote the >>>>> information down on paper. Recently, I had a student ask >>>>> me about the skill. I explained it all again. Instead of >>>>> students referring back to their notes, they wrote >>>>> everything I did again on paper. When I noticed this, I >>>>> told them to go back a few pages to their old notes. They >>>>> looked at me weird. Finally someone said, "oh. I don't >>>>> keep those. I just do that because I'm in class." I asked >>>>> her what she used to study and she said she just "listens" >>>>> and that's "all i do." If she was a great student, I might >>>>> agree, but she doesn't have one of those memories and she >>>>> is earning a C. Checked her other class grades and she's >>>>> pretty much a C student which isnt' bad,of course, but she >>>>> could do better if she didn't think we will give her all >>>>> the questions and answers in a review before every test. >>>>> >>>>> I was reflecting on my own test review practices and I was >>>>> talking to a few other teachers.. We decided we need to >>>>> review differently next year. for example, I tend to be >>>>> too specific in my review items (vocab recall, grammar >>>>> identication, reading comprehension), so I need to reach >>>>> the higher thinking skills more. >>>>> >>>> >>>> I realize that this is going to cause more work for you, but >>>> couldn't you set up some sort of notebook review as part of >>>> your grading system? It isn't just test review practices. >>>> The kids need to learn how to take notes, how to refer back to >>>> notes, and how to use those notes to be able to study for a >>>> test (final exam??). Require them to keep a notebook all >>>> year. You could do random checks (that would keep them on >>>> their toes!) or you could set up some sort of schedule. >>>> Depending on the age, you could develop some sort of peer >>>> review where they check for specific items and use a >>>> checklist, which then gets turned in to you.

Jun 5, 2011

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standardized tested out

by Mary

Jun 4, 2011

I found in the years that I have been teaching, you have those that care about the test and those who do not. No matter how hard you work on teching them the material they are just tested out. I had students this year that were done in 15 minutes. They don't care. But then you have those that become anxious and have test anxiety and don't do well e...See More

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so frustrated

by aud

Jun 4, 2011

We work so hard all year and there is so much pressure for the students to do well on these standardized tests. We had ours this week and two of my kiddos show up unmedicated. I wonder why I care so much when no one at home seems to care.

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VET I can understand why you are so frustrated!

On 6/04/11, aud wrote: > We work so hard all year and there is so much pressure for > the students to do well on these standardized tests. We had > ours this week and two of my kiddos show up unmedicated. I > wonder why I care so much when no one at home seems to care.

Jun 5, 2011

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Michele One of those "grit your teeth and deal with it as best you can" moments... they seem to occur so very often in our profession!!

On 6/05/11, VET wrote: > I can understand why you are so frustrated! > > On 6/04/11, aud wrote: >> We work so hard all year and there is so much pressure for >> the students to do well on thes...See More

Jun 19, 2011

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MONDO

by Karen M.

Jun 4, 2011

Does anyone else out there use this system/program for running records and reading assessments? I'd like to see what your opinions are, or know if you use something different.

This is our first year using MONDO, so our learning curve has been steep. First time ever doing running records for Kindergarten students. Used to DIBELS, but not th...See More

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Standardized tests can be unfair to schools

by VET

Jun 5, 2011

In my state the method of interpreting ST's changed unfairly in one year.

My school had always been rated 5 on a 1-5 scale and deserved it.

Then the rocket scientists at the state dept of ed changed the rules.

Now, the rating depends on the scores, but MAINLY on the PROGRESS the school makes with the scores from year to y...See More

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Michelle On 6/08/11, School Psyc wrote: > That is very similar to the problem with reporting AYP. Schools > that are already at the highest level can't go up, so they are > considered failing in that category. This makes no sense. > > On 6/05/11, Jo wrote: >> Since you wrote alleged I will say, if what you say is true, >> it isn't...See More

Jun 16, 2011

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sci-saxet And if the total pass rate for say....8th math is 95 percent, but a sub-population such as eco-disadv is 78 percent your rating is based on the lowest number!

On 6/16/11, Michelle wrote: > On 6/08/11, School Psyc wrote: >> That is very similar to the problem with reporting AYP. Schools >> that are already at the highest leve...See MoreAnd if the total pass rate for say....8th math is 95 percent, but a sub-population such as eco-disadv is 78 percent your rating is based on the lowest number!

On 6/16/11, Michelle wrote: > On 6/08/11, School Psyc wrote: >> That is very similar to the problem with reporting AYP. Schools >> that are already at the highest level can't go up, so they are >> considered failing in that category. This makes no sense. >> >> On 6/05/11, Jo wrote: >>> Since you wrote alleged I will say, if what you say is true, >>> it isn't the standardized test that is the problem but the >>> implementation of it. Once again, this is where the education >>> system fails. I agree, things like this are problems. >>> >>> On 6/05/11, VET wrote: >>>> In my state the method of interpreting ST's changed unfairly >>>> in one year. >>>> >>>> My school had always been rated 5 on a 1-5 scale and >>>> deserved it. >>>> >>>> Then the rocket scientists at the state dept of ed changed >>>> the rules. >>>> >>>> Now, the rating depends on the scores, but MAINLY on the >>>> PROGRESS the school makes with the scores from year to year. >>>> Some schools who had rated as a 1, made SOME progress(the >>>> only way they had to go was UP) and won awards and accolades. >>>> >>>> MY school, which had consistently scored in the 5 category, >>>> did not raise scores significantly, and was put on a list of >>>> poorly performing schools. The kids were already achieving >>>> at high levels. DUH! >>>> >>>> The local paper(rag) threw the principal and whole school >>>> under the bus and reported the poor rating on the front >>>> page. TYPICAL! It was a big story, because it was such a >>>> change form our usual performance as a Top 5- rated school. >>>> >>>> It will be interesting what happens this year. Honestly, I >>>> don't know what the outcome will be. Our school will not >>>> cheat and teach the test! >>>> > > You are exactly right! There must be an evaluation instrument out > there that is actually valid! Once parents see that a school hasn't > met AYP, they're ready to move their children. AYP doesn't give a > true picture of what is going on at the school.

Jun 17, 2011

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