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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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ELA and Math tests
Does anyone know of a website I can find practice sheets to prep for these tests? TIA!
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Posted 2/7/15 1:49 PM  |
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belle31125
LIF Zygote
Member since 5/06 16 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Opt them out of them. No extra worksheets will help. No one knows what is on them and there is no reason for them to take them.
Message edited 2/7/2015 2:23:36 PM.
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| Posted 2/7/15 2:23 PM |
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kgs11
LIF Adult
Member since 2/07 1424 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: ELA and Math tests
EngageNY has all the curriculum
You can also get good common core test prep books at Barnes and noble.
Opting out of the test doesn't opt your child out of the curriculum, which is the bigger problem.
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| Posted 2/7/15 3:52 PM |
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by kgs11
EngageNY has all the curriculum
You can also get good common core test prep books at Barnes and noble.
Opting out of the test doesn't opt your child out of the curriculum, which is the bigger problem.
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| Posted 2/7/15 4:00 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by Adri
Does anyone know of a website I can find practice sheets to prep for these tests? TIA!
I dont do any test prep at home. I would ask the teacher for websites.
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| Posted 2/7/15 5:08 PM |
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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Thanks ladies! So much information out there1 I need to ask his teacher. We work with some B&N text books, but although they say they aligned with common core, the exercises are very different to what he gets from school.
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| Posted 2/7/15 7:05 PM |
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belle31125
LIF Zygote
Member since 5/06 16 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
True, but oping out is not necessarily a response to common core, but the unnecessary overtesting of these kids. The kids are just a pawn for testing companies and the Govenor. There really isn't any test prep since no one knows the extent of past tests. Nothing (but a passage or two gets published) and even then the state makes up their own formula for calculating the scores so who knows how the kids actually do. Besides the tests are also developmentally inappropriate and advanced for these kids. Is it really necessary for them to takes hours of tests whose outcomes mean nothing to them??
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| Posted 2/7/15 8:21 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
While I agree that the curriculum is inappropriate, I believe a standardized test is important. Without a standardized testing, its impossible to compare districts and to find out exactly how our children rank academically among their peers across the state. These are important bits of information when looking at home values, school districts and individual abilities. We take tests throughout our lives, even into adulthood and I honestly don't see the harm in it. I do not think it should be 50% of a teacher rating because there are far too many factors involved besides just instruction. Additionally, if too much emphasis is put on these tests for a teacher rating it will encourage teachers to focus too much on test prep losing sight of other quality instruction and growth across all areas of curriculum.
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| Posted 2/7/15 9:02 PM |
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FranM
And so it goes....
Member since 9/05 2217 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by twicethefun
... Additionally, if too much emphasis is put on these tests for a teacher rating it will encourage teachers to focus too much on test prep losing sight of other quality instruction and growth across all areas of curriculum.
Lets take it a step further - with 50% of my rating based on these test scores - Who do I as a teacher want in my class and not want in my class? What's next? This just opens up too many issues beyond testing.
We as parents owe it to our children to stop this miss. Opting our children out of testing is a valid way to show that we will not stand for these changes.
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| Posted 2/8/15 8:50 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by FranM
Posted by twicethefun
... Additionally, if too much emphasis is put on these tests for a teacher rating it will encourage teachers to focus too much on test prep losing sight of other quality instruction and growth across all areas of curriculum.
Lets take it a step further - with 50% of my rating based on these test scores - Who do I as a teacher want in my class and not want in my class? What's next? This just opens up too many issues beyond testing.
We as parents owe it to our children to stop this miss. Opting our children out of testing is a valid way to show that we will not stand for these changes.
I agree. The tests mean absolutely nothing in terms of our children's education. It doesn't prevent them from being promoted to the next grade, doesn't show up on their report card, doesn't show up on their transcripts, and is a pretty much useless score.
Can you believe that special education teachers are being rated as highly ineffective because their students can't (and will never) score highly on these tests? How is THAT fair? It's not.
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| Posted 2/8/15 3:16 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by FranM
Posted by twicethefun
... Additionally, if too much emphasis is put on these tests for a teacher rating it will encourage teachers to focus too much on test prep losing sight of other quality instruction and growth across all areas of curriculum.
Lets take it a step further - with 50% of my rating based on these test scores - Who do I as a teacher want in my class and not want in my class? What's next? This just opens up too many issues beyond testing.
We as parents owe it to our children to stop this miss. Opting our children out of testing is a valid way to show that we will not stand for these changes.
I agree. The tests mean absolutely nothing in terms of our children's education. It doesn't prevent them from being promoted to the next grade, doesn't show up on their report card, doesn't show up on their transcripts, and is a pretty much useless score.
Can you believe that special education teachers are being rated as highly ineffective because their students can't (and will never) score highly on these tests? How is THAT fair? It's not.
I agree it's unfair, but I'm not ready to opt my kid out yet. His testing has been a benefit to him. Additionally, because of the testing I realized my district was not keeping up with the surrounding districts. Eventually I know my home value will go down. I may consider moving and without these types of standardized scores I wouldn't know where to move. While I may consider opting my child out at some point to stand up for the teachers, I hate using him as a pawn in that game.
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| Posted 2/8/15 9:20 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by twicethefun
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by FranM
Posted by twicethefun
... Additionally, if too much emphasis is put on these tests for a teacher rating it will encourage teachers to focus too much on test prep losing sight of other quality instruction and growth across all areas of curriculum.
Lets take it a step further - with 50% of my rating based on these test scores - Who do I as a teacher want in my class and not want in my class? What's next? This just opens up too many issues beyond testing.
We as parents owe it to our children to stop this miss. Opting our children out of testing is a valid way to show that we will not stand for these changes.
I agree. The tests mean absolutely nothing in terms of our children's education. It doesn't prevent them from being promoted to the next grade, doesn't show up on their report card, doesn't show up on their transcripts, and is a pretty much useless score.
Can you believe that special education teachers are being rated as highly ineffective because their students can't (and will never) score highly on these tests? How is THAT fair? It's not.
I agree it's unfair, but I'm not ready to opt my kid out yet. His testing has been a benefit to him. Additionally, because of the testing I realized my district was not keeping up with the surrounding districts. Eventually I know my home value will go down. I may consider moving and without these types of standardized scores I wouldn't know where to move. While I may consider opting my child out at some point to stand up for the teachers, I hate using him as a pawn in that game.
But with more and more people opting out each year, you will never get an accurate depiction on those school rating sites. They also don't account for the number of children in special education, or with IEP's, taking the tests and doing poorly on them. They are lumped in with everyone else. I have never taken those reviews on various websites seriously. Looking at the graduation rate, and talking to parents in the district is the best way to see what a district is all about IMO.
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| Posted 2/8/15 9:56 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
But without standardized tests the graduation rate tells you very little about the quality of education a child is receiving. A child from one school district may receive achieve higher grades then a child in another school district simply because the tests towards graduation were easier in the one school. That's what a standardized test does for us. I agree we have too much testing for these young children, the curriculum is often beyond their developmental capacity and it's unfair to teachers. But there is some value to state standardized tests. It's really very complicated, but I want my child to be well prepared for the test he is taking this year.
It looks like the op wants to help their child prepare for the test as well.
Message edited 2/8/2015 10:26:33 PM.
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| Posted 2/8/15 10:24 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by twicethefun
But without standardized tests the graduation rate tells you very little about the quality of education a child is receiving. A child from one school district may receive achieve higher grades then a child in another school district simply because the tests towards graduation were easier in the one school. That's what a standardized test does for us. I agree we have too much testing for these young children, the curriculum is often beyond their developmental capacity and it's unfair to teachers. But there is some value to state standardized tests. It's really very complicated, but I want my child to be well prepared for the test he is taking this year.
It looks like the op wants to help their child prepare for the test as well.
In High School they all take the same Regent's tests in order to graduate. That is dictated by the state. Same content on all. Those tests count. The standardized tests in K-8 do not count. The ones that so many are opposed to. At least in NYS.
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| Posted 2/8/15 10:34 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
As I understand it, NYS regents are also common core aligned and high school teachers will also be rated based on how well their students test.
Message edited 2/8/2015 10:55:44 PM.
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| Posted 2/8/15 10:51 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by twicethefun
As I understand it, NYS regents are also common core aligned and high school teachers will also be rated based on how well their students test.
Not as of yet they aren't. They will be transitioning though (my son is in 10th grade and just took the integrated Algebra Regent's, not Common Core, and won't be required to take Common Core since he passed this one). Anyway, my point was these elementary tests mean absolutely nothing. The Regent's tests are required to graduate. No way around those. So there is zero advantage of wasting time prepping for tests that mean nothing, and tests that most teachers are very against.
I'm happy I live in a district that is adamantly opposed to this sort of meaningless testing. I digress though 
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| Posted 2/8/15 11:00 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22132 total posts
Name:
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ELA and Math tests
To the OP, I can't think of websites, but it might be easier just to go to B:&N. Look for books that are ON the grade your child is in and state CCSS on the cover.
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| Posted 2/9/15 5:33 AM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by twicethefun
But without standardized tests the graduation rate tells you very little about the quality of education a child is receiving. A child from one school district may receive achieve higher grades then a child in another school district simply because the tests towards graduation were easier in the one school. That's what a standardized test does for us. I agree we have too much testing for these young children, the curriculum is often beyond their developmental capacity and it's unfair to teachers. But there is some value to state standardized tests. It's really very complicated, but I want my child to be well prepared for the test he is taking this year.
It looks like the op wants to help their child prepare for the test as well.
In High School they all take the same Regent's tests in order to graduate. That is dictated by the state. Same content on all. Those tests count. The standardized tests in K-8 do not count. The ones that so many are opposed to. At least in NYS.
I am in NYS but also in NYC. If you want your child to apply to a specialized high school your 7th grade tests scores matter 100% as do grades and attendence. No my children dont have to go to a specialized HS but if you arent zoned for a decent school parents do what they can (hire tutors and send kids to test prep) for their kids to get into a better school.
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| Posted 2/9/15 9:04 AM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: ELA and Math tests
You can buy the Ready test prep books (if your district hasn't already). The questions in the math and the ELA books are very similar to the questions that will be on the test. There has also been a passage here or there in the test prep book that have been on past tests. In addition, there are past test questions on EngageNY with questions and also rubrics on EngageNY that the teachers use to grade the writing sections.
You can get the book on Amazon.
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| Posted 2/9/15 10:49 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: ELA and Math tests
My DS isn't quite there yet so I don't know about review sheets/books. But, I did want to say that it's really misinformation to tell someone to have their kids opt out of these tests because they don't count for or mean anything. This is just not true. In our district these tests (and pretty much only these tests) determine whether a student is placed in advanced classes for math, science and ELA. Because the math is one year ahead the tracking stays the same all the way through middle and high school. If I didn't have my child take the test and he belonged in these classes, the poor kid would be bored out of his mind, not challenged and it would be a huge disservice to him. My guess is the same is probably true on the opposite end of the spectrum (kids that are behind and need help).
I just wanted to put this out there because when I hear people saying these tests don't mean anything and aren't used for anything it is one hundred percent not true.
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| Posted 2/9/15 4:25 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by itsbabytime
My DS isn't quite there yet so I don't know about review sheets/books. But, I did want to say that it's really misinformation to tell someone to have their kids opt out of these tests because they don't count for or mean anything. This is just not true. In our district these tests (and pretty much only these tests) determine whether a student is placed in advanced classes for math, science and ELA. Because the math is one year ahead the tracking stays the same all the way through middle and high school. If I didn't have my child take the test and he belonged in these classes, the poor kid would be bored out of his mind, not challenged and it would be a huge disservice to him. My guess is the same is probably true on the opposite end of the spectrum (kids that are behind and need help).
I just wanted to put this out there because when I hear people saying these tests don't mean anything and aren't used for anything it is one hundred percent not true.
That's a shame that they do things that way. Especially with a test that was set up to allow so many kids to fail. So bright kids will definitely be missed if this is the only way they determine a basis for placing them in AP courses. Also these results don't come back until the end of the Summer, and the course selections are in the prior winter/spring, so that doesn't seem to make much sense. So much misinformation about the reasons for taking them, but I don't want to go back and forth anymore and take away from the OP. The bottom line is do your own research I guess 
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| Posted 2/9/15 4:59 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by itsbabytime
My DS isn't quite there yet so I don't know about review sheets/books. But, I did want to say that it's really misinformation to tell someone to have their kids opt out of these tests because they don't count for or mean anything. This is just not true. In our district these tests (and pretty much only these tests) determine whether a student is placed in advanced classes for math, science and ELA. Because the math is one year ahead the tracking stays the same all the way through middle and high school. If I didn't have my child take the test and he belonged in these classes, the poor kid would be bored out of his mind, not challenged and it would be a huge disservice to him. My guess is the same is probably true on the opposite end of the spectrum (kids that are behind and need help).
I just wanted to put this out there because when I hear people saying these tests don't mean anything and aren't used for anything it is one hundred percent not true.
That's a shame that they do things that way. Especially with a test that was set up to allow so many kids to fail. So bright kids will definitely be missed if this is the only way they determine a basis for placing them in AP courses. Also these results don't come back until the end of the Summer, and the course selections are in the prior winter/spring, so that doesn't seem to make much sense. So much misinformation about the reasons for taking them, but I don't want to go back and forth anymore and take away from the OP. The bottom line is do your own research I guess
I didn't say AP courses - I said advanced courses. I am referring to elementary school - 4th, 5th and 6th grade in particular. I am not sure what you mean by course selections are made in the prior winter/spring? What do you mean? In our district a letter goes out the beginning of the school year for the kids who have been selected to be in the advanced courses. The letter states that much of the selection is based on the tests. There are many review companies in my area that cost big $$$ to prep for these tests - obviously these test scores matter or what parent would shell out that time and money. I agree - do your own research by asking your principal.
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| Posted 2/9/15 7:17 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by itsbabytime
My DS isn't quite there yet so I don't know about review sheets/books. But, I did want to say that it's really misinformation to tell someone to have their kids opt out of these tests because they don't count for or mean anything. This is just not true. In our district these tests (and pretty much only these tests) determine whether a student is placed in advanced classes for math, science and ELA. Because the math is one year ahead the tracking stays the same all the way through middle and high school. If I didn't have my child take the test and he belonged in these classes, the poor kid would be bored out of his mind, not challenged and it would be a huge disservice to him. My guess is the same is probably true on the opposite end of the spectrum (kids that are behind and need help).
I just wanted to put this out there because when I hear people saying these tests don't mean anything and aren't used for anything it is one hundred percent not true.
That's a shame that they do things that way. Especially with a test that was set up to allow so many kids to fail. So bright kids will definitely be missed if this is the only way they determine a basis for placing them in AP courses. Also these results don't come back until the end of the Summer, and the course selections are in the prior winter/spring, so that doesn't seem to make much sense. So much misinformation about the reasons for taking them, but I don't want to go back and forth anymore and take away from the OP. The bottom line is do your own research I guess
I didn't say AP courses - I said advanced courses. I am referring to elementary school - 4th, 5th and 6th grade in particular. I am not sure what you mean by course selections are made in the prior winter/spring? What do you mean? In our district a letter goes out the beginning of the school year for the kids who have been selected to be in the advanced courses. The letter states that much of the selection is based on the tests. There are many review companies in my area that cost big $$$ to prep for these tests - obviously these test scores matter or what parent would shell out that time and money. I agree - do your own research by asking your principal.
Parents that have been lead to believe these tests really matter  I was talking about Middle School and High School AP courses. I had no idea you were talking about elementary school. We don't have courses in Elementary school where I live. If your kid is excelling based on the observation of the teacher, they get extra math, etc. We could go back and forth ALL day, but I'm "opting out" now Enjoy your night :)
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| Posted 2/9/15 7:34 PM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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ELA and Math tests
As a teacher and a parent I can see both sides. The passing rate is about 50 to 60!percent in districts with good reputations (tutors, ect). That to me signals there is a problem with these tests. They are not developmentally appropriate. Many of the questions are have kid infer and craft and structure questions. Where as, most kids even in fifth grade still have difficulty finding questions that are answered right in the passage. If you do a google search and compare the tests from 7 years ago there is a huge difference. The questions are more manageable and the passages are more kid friendly and vocabulary isn't as complex. There really is a huge difference. What has changed developmentally for the students that they had to change the test? They also got rid of the listening part, which still is a common core standard and it helped students get points. Why get rid if it? These tests do not measure all the new standards. They are extremely difficult and the time frame is not manageable for a lot. On the other hand, what message do we send kids if we tell them they can opt out? Will they have that thought all through school now?
Message edited 2/9/2015 8:50:39 PM.
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| Posted 2/9/15 8:45 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
Name:
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Re: ELA and Math tests
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by itsbabytime
My DS isn't quite there yet so I don't know about review sheets/books. But, I did want to say that it's really misinformation to tell someone to have their kids opt out of these tests because they don't count for or mean anything. This is just not true. In our district these tests (and pretty much only these tests) determine whether a student is placed in advanced classes for math, science and ELA. Because the math is one year ahead the tracking stays the same all the way through middle and high school. If I didn't have my child take the test and he belonged in these classes, the poor kid would be bored out of his mind, not challenged and it would be a huge disservice to him. My guess is the same is probably true on the opposite end of the spectrum (kids that are behind and need help).
I just wanted to put this out there because when I hear people saying these tests don't mean anything and aren't used for anything it is one hundred percent not true.
That's a shame that they do things that way. Especially with a test that was set up to allow so many kids to fail. So bright kids will definitely be missed if this is the only way they determine a basis for placing them in AP courses. Also these results don't come back until the end of the Summer, and the course selections are in the prior winter/spring, so that doesn't seem to make much sense. So much misinformation about the reasons for taking them, but I don't want to go back and forth anymore and take away from the OP. The bottom line is do your own research I guess
I didn't say AP courses - I said advanced courses. I am referring to elementary school - 4th, 5th and 6th grade in particular. I am not sure what you mean by course selections are made in the prior winter/spring? What do you mean? In our district a letter goes out the beginning of the school year for the kids who have been selected to be in the advanced courses. The letter states that much of the selection is based on the tests. There are many review companies in my area that cost big $$$ to prep for these tests - obviously these test scores matter or what parent would shell out that time and money. I agree - do your own research by asking your principal.
Parents that have been lead to believe these tests really matter I was talking about Middle School and High School AP courses. I had no idea you were talking about elementary school. We don't have courses in Elementary school where I live. If your kid is excelling based on the observation of the teacher, they get extra math, etc. We could go back and forth ALL day, but I'm "opting out" now Enjoy your night :)
A different perspective.... My child was nothing special to his teachers just an average kid whose mother isn't very involved in the PTA and had no pull within the district. He was never challenged by his teachers at all, until he scored the 91st percentile for two consecutive years on the common core NYS ELA assessment. It's an assessment that was scored by an outsider with no knowledge of our kids. For my son, the test did matter. His teachers finally recognize his ability and challenge him to meet higher expectations. It may be a small thing, but its his small thing. And its good practice for future tests.
As I said before, its complicated and I am not for or against opting out. I see the advantages and disadvantages of standardized testing. I think parents have to decide what is best for their own children given only the facts without pressure from either direction. For some children the pressure is too much, for others they may look forward to a week without homework and celebrating the completion of the test. Its an individual thing. Their is no doubt the test is unfair, but isn't life sometimes?
Message edited 2/9/2015 9:12:53 PM.
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| Posted 2/9/15 9:06 PM |
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