any other teachers freaking out about the ELA TEST???

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Posted by JPC1125

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Posted by Palebride

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Posted by beautyq115

In NYC ....basically the kids are told if you don't pass this you are not moving on to the next grade

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The way I always read the test it wasn't a pass or a fail....it was a measure of how you rate according to the standards the state is testing you on. How can they use a 2 day test score to pass or fail a child? That's a little silly!

But then again, the test isn't THAT difficult, so if someone doesn't do well, perhaps they can use some additional support....

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Actually, I feel the test is designed to be VERY tricky....Last year (my 1st year) all the 4th grade teachers were talking over the listening section in the hallway and realized: the questions they asked them to write about had NOTHING to do with the majority of the story I had to read to them.

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The test makes sense IN THEORY but in reality there are too many differentiated factors.

Yes.. it measures skills TO A DEGREE.. it isnt the end all..

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Posted by beautyq115

I wanted to jump out the window today....one girl actually didn't know she had to answer the questions she thought she only had to read...W T F

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Message edited 1/3/2007 10:37:45 PM.

I have been preparing my students for the essays sections mainly because this is where they fall short. With multiple choice, they a least stand a 20-25% chance of getting an answer correct even if they just guess. I have graded the 4th-8th grade tests in the mechanics and content areas. This is the hardest part for them.

Can I ask a question as a parent...dd Is in special ed and someone said something about an "opt-out" is that what I think it means? If so what can happen to the child if I made that decision? Thanks

eds: i think what these test do to not only the students but the teachers too is wrong... i personally feel they do not need these test in any shape way or form... umm kryssy does not get real homework... she gets practice test.. and is doing things i never even did in high school... i hope you all are safe in feeling you are not the only ones feeling this

Message edited 1/3/2007 11:04:57 PM.

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Posted by janet

Can I ask a question as a parent...dd Is in special ed and someone said something about an "opt-out" is that what I think it means? If so what can happen to the child if I made that decision? Thanks

eds: i think what these test do to not only the students but the teachers too is wrong... i personally feel they do not need these test in any shape way or form... umm kryssy does not get real homework... she gets practice test.. and is doing things i never even did in high school... i hope you all are safe in feeling you are not the only ones feeling this

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Posted by janet
Can I ask a question as a parent...dd Is in special ed and someone said something about an "opt-out" is that what I think it means? If so what can happen to the child if I made that decision? Thanks


A school can try to get a student an alternative assessment, but it is very hard. You need to have a datafolio and the child needs to be at least two years below in the curriculum area. (You can also get info at the NYSED site)
Even then, it is a big to do to get alternative assessment. It is just truly unfair for special ed students who are going to struggle through the test, while it is clearly not a true measure of their abilities.
UGH.

Message edited 1/4/2007 1:06:59 PM.

 
Posted 1/4/07 12:58 PM

I have a great class this year so im not freaking too much. I am confident this group will do well.

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Posted by janet

Can I ask a question as a parent...dd Is in special ed and someone said something about an "opt-out" is that what I think it means? If so what can happen to the child if I made that decision? Thanks

eds: i think what these test do to not only the students but the teachers too is wrong... i personally feel they do not need these test in any shape way or form... umm kryssy does not get real homework... she gets practice test.. and is doing things i never even did in high school... i hope you all are safe in feeling you are not the only ones feeling this

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I am so tired of prep, then after next week on to Math, then science-it NEVER ends!!!!!!

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Posted by aw29

I am so tired of prep, then after next week on to Math, then science-it NEVER ends!!!!!!

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Posted by Karen

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Posted by janet

Can I ask a question as a parent...dd Is in special ed and someone said something about an "opt-out" is that what I think it means? If so what can happen to the child if I made that decision? Thanks

eds: i think what these test do to not only the students but the teachers too is wrong... i personally feel they do not need these test in any shape way or form... umm kryssy does not get real homework... she gets practice test.. and is doing things i never even did in high school... i hope you all are safe in feeling you are not the only ones feeling this

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I am not 100% certain, but I don't believe with the new testing requirements that students can "opt-out" easily (if at all). Districts need to account for every student and their score, it is part of a federal mandate.

Heck, schools can end up on one of the "watch" lists, simply by having too many students in one sub-category be absent.

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