If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." Loved your posts. You can also visit my blog at: breast improvement site/blog. It pretty much covers breast improvement related stuff.
How far have school administrators stooped now that Roosevelt High School in Johnstown is offering cash rewards for students whose performance on CSAP is exemplary? Can this "incentive" be anything other than blatant bribery?
Hi, I'll try to get some of my fellow teachers to check this Blog and contribute..maybe it will stimulate discussion...Anyways, Don, where can I find out more about the Roosevelt High "incentive"?...sounds like a good way reinforce the idea in youth that money is the determinate of success (I'm sure all of us highly paid educators enthusiastically agree with that idea)....Laura, I AM excited to see that Conn. has started a lawsuit, (hopefully it is just the tip of the iceburg of challenges/opposition to NCLB)but I hope the general public doesn't get the idea that lack of funding is the only problem with NCLB. Keep up the good work you two!!!
If you want to see the bribes being offered by Roosevelt H.S. go to their web site at www.weldre5j.k12.co.us/RHS/schoolinfo.htm. This should show the 'incentives' in all their glory.
What do you think about offering incentives to take CSAP? Are these bribes? If anyone knows what these are and whose is offering them, please tell everyone.
Laura's letter to the editor said it with clarity - what a waste of time and money is CSAP. One only wonders when politicians and frightened administrators will make a move.
Laura's piece in the Tribune this morning - September 22- said it so clearly. What a waste of time is CSAP! When will politicians and frightened administrators make a move?
I sent an email to some friends/family of mine to see what their reaction on the incentives were. Here are two responses:
A friend in buisiness technology field: "So are they going to do this again next year? If so, many kids will bomb this year on purpose so they can have the best chance of being the most improved next year. Don't they want the kids who are most likely to skip (the bad students) to not take the test? Or is the school penalized for no shows? I like the fact that scores are going on transcripts. Graduating HS doesn't mean squat these days. I want to see that someone is basically proficient at reading, writing and math if I'm going to hire them."
SPED lawyer: "Just read your e mail over and see the incentives are at one high school. I like it except for the get out of school one day pass. That is majorly wrong."
Although I do not agree with my friend's/family's point of view on these incentives, I think their view may represent a significant portion of the people out there. Are we facing a philosophical battle about the goals of education? Maybe people need to be informed about alternative assessment procedures that are available.....could Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences play a role in our movement?
Yes, I think the multiple intelligences could play a major role in our movement. Right now, only a small part of school is even being measured--science has even been slighted to attempt gains in reading/math. Soon art/music/gym will be a memory from the 'old days'.
I am surprised no one in your group asked "who is paying for all this?" These tests keep on costing more and more--even if the bribes are from the building fund in this case.
I wrote part of a blog today about the CSAP, I would encourage anyone seeking the perspective of a former student to read my short experience. I would have gone into more detail, but that might bore the heck out of everyone. Anyways: http://mmbenidt.blogspot.com/2005/10/americas-finest-news-source-onion_04.html is the url for that specific blog. Thanks!
Don Perl debated legislator Keith King today in front of the Colorado Retired Teachers Association. In my opinion, he clearly stated our case and I think 'beat' Rep. King.
First I would like to let everyone know that at Montrose High School, Montrose, Colorado, if sophomores score proficient on CSAP, they will get a free hour as juniors.
Secondly, my granddaughter's mother has opted her out of CSAP for the last 4 years. She has been told many down right lies to try and pressure her into taking the CSAP. Some of these things are: You will not be able to get into a good university with out CSAP scores. All of your "A's" will be dropped to "F's" if you do not participate and score proficient. You will not be able to take Algebra II if you do not score proficient on the math CSAP. You will not be allowed to take any electives if you do not take CSAP and score proficient. The only classes you will be able to sign up for are core math and readiing. You can not participate in any extra curricular activities if you do not take the CSAP and score proficient. I could go on but I think these examples get the messsage across.
Another issue that just came to my attention this morning is: There are two young women who work in the office where my youngest daughter is employed, one is 19 and the other is 18. The 19 year old graduated from Delta High School in 2005, the 18 year old will be graduating in May. These young ladies thought that Paris was in Greece, and the the United States was its own continent. Their supervisor brought in a geography book and they spend 30 minutes per day learning geography. An example of the death of education at the hands of CSAP. Patricia R. Lang MA
Hooray for CBE. This organization has not been compromised.
My take: To use one high-stakes test score to determine how well students are learning, how well teachers are teaching, and how well a school is doing is professional mal-practice.
Hello, I noticed that Steve Krashen quoted your cite recently. I'm impressed and would like to know if there are many other coalitions, such as yours, in other states.
As soon as I heard about this blog site, I decided that I wanted to leave my own comments and experiences.
I have three daughters. They are in: 2nd grade (the only one who doesn't have to take the CSAP yet), 5th grade and 6th grade. The 5th grader is the one having the most trouble. Every time CSAP testing time comes around, we start the nightmares, crying spells, nerves and depression. She wants to be opted out VERY badly, but I am a substitute teacher and worried that opting my kids out of the test will affect my ability to find jobs with the school districts.
This morning (3/2/2011) my 5th grader was in TEARS and didn't want to go to school (of course CSAP's started this week). I took her in to the school myself so that I could speak to the secretary to see what I could do. I told the secretary (the Principal was standing behind her) about my daughter's symptoms and how upset she was. I mentioned that I had considered "opting" my daughter out. The principal speaks up and practically yells..."No!" Of course, my first thought was..."This is MY child; you are NOT going to tell me what to do." I asked the Principal why they didn't just use the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) that they used when I was in school. She had no answer for me. Of course, we all know it's really an issue of money. It concerns me greatly that my daughter's principal is more concerned about gaining funds than she is about my daughter's mental health. They called the school counselor to come speak with my daughter. I cry inside for her.
NOW...about my 6th grader: she doesn't WANT me to opt her out because her math teacher has given her students the impression that they won't be able to get into a good college unless they take the CSAP's. How ridiculous!
WHAT can we do about this money-making, brain-washing, political debacle? I am absolutely disgusted, but I don't know where to go next. Ideas...PLEASE!!!!
18 Comments:
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
Loved your posts. You can also visit my blog at:
breast improvement site/blog. It pretty much covers breast improvement related stuff.
Test blog.
How far have school administrators stooped now that Roosevelt High School in Johnstown is offering cash rewards for students whose performance on CSAP is exemplary? Can this "incentive" be anything other than blatant bribery?
Is anyone else pumped by the lawsuit against NCLB that Conn. has started? This is great news.
Hi, I'll try to get some of my fellow teachers to check this Blog and contribute..maybe it will stimulate discussion...Anyways, Don, where can I find out more about the Roosevelt High "incentive"?...sounds like a good way reinforce the idea in youth that money is the determinate of success (I'm sure all of us highly paid educators enthusiastically agree with that idea)....Laura, I AM excited to see that Conn. has started a lawsuit, (hopefully it is just the tip of the iceburg of challenges/opposition to NCLB)but I hope the general public doesn't get the idea that lack of funding is the only problem with NCLB. Keep up the good work you two!!!
If you want to see the bribes being offered by Roosevelt H.S. go to their web site at www.weldre5j.k12.co.us/RHS/schoolinfo.htm. This should show the 'incentives' in all their glory.
What do you think about offering incentives to take CSAP? Are these bribes? If anyone knows what these are and whose is offering them, please tell everyone.
Laura's letter to the editor said it with clarity - what a waste of time and money is CSAP. One only wonders when politicians and frightened administrators will make a move.
Laura's piece in the Tribune this morning - September 22- said it so clearly. What a waste of time is CSAP! When will politicians and frightened administrators make a move?
I sent an email to some friends/family of mine to see what their reaction on the incentives were. Here are two responses:
A friend in buisiness technology field: "So are they going to do this again next year? If so, many kids will bomb this year on purpose so they can have the best chance of being the most
improved next year.
Don't they want the kids who are most likely to skip (the bad students) to not take the test? Or is the school penalized for no shows? I like the fact that scores are going on transcripts. Graduating HS doesn't mean squat these days. I want to see that someone is basically proficient at reading, writing and math if I'm going to hire them."
SPED lawyer: "Just read your e mail over and see the incentives are at one high school. I like it except for the get out of school one day pass. That is majorly wrong."
Although I do not agree with my friend's/family's point of view on these incentives, I think their view may represent a significant portion of the people out there. Are we facing a philosophical battle about the goals of education? Maybe people need to be informed about alternative assessment procedures that are available.....could Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences play a role in our movement?
Yes, I think the multiple intelligences could play a major role in our movement. Right now, only a small part of school is even being measured--science has even been slighted to attempt gains in reading/math. Soon art/music/gym will be a memory from the 'old days'.
I am surprised no one in your group asked "who is paying for all this?" These tests keep on costing more and more--even if the bribes are from the building fund in this case.
I wrote part of a blog today about the CSAP, I would encourage anyone seeking the perspective of a former student to read my short experience. I would have gone into more detail, but that might bore the heck out of everyone. Anyways: http://mmbenidt.blogspot.com/2005/10/americas-finest-news-source-onion_04.html is the url for that specific blog. Thanks!
Don Perl debated legislator Keith King today in front of the Colorado Retired Teachers Association. In my opinion, he clearly stated our case and I think 'beat' Rep. King.
First I would like to let everyone know that at Montrose High School, Montrose, Colorado, if sophomores score proficient on CSAP, they will get a free hour as juniors.
Secondly, my granddaughter's mother has opted her out of CSAP for the last 4 years. She has been told many down right lies to try and pressure her into taking the CSAP. Some of these things are: You will not be able to get into a good university with out CSAP scores. All of your "A's" will be dropped to "F's" if you do not participate and score proficient. You will not be able to take Algebra II if you do not score proficient on the math CSAP. You will not be allowed to take any electives if you do not take CSAP and score proficient. The only classes you will be able to sign up for are core math and readiing. You can not participate in any extra curricular activities if you do not take the CSAP and score proficient. I could go on but I think these examples get the messsage across.
Another issue that just came to my attention this morning is: There are two young women who work in the office where my youngest daughter is employed, one is 19 and the other is 18. The 19 year old graduated from Delta High School in 2005, the 18 year old will be graduating in May. These young ladies thought that Paris was in Greece, and the the United States was its own continent. Their supervisor brought in a geography book and they spend 30 minutes per day learning geography. An example of the death of education at the hands of CSAP.
Patricia R. Lang MA
Hooray for CBE. This organization has not been compromised.
My take: To use one high-stakes test score to determine how well students are learning, how well teachers are teaching, and how well a school is doing is professional mal-practice.
Yvonne Siu-Runyan, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita
Hello,
I noticed that Steve Krashen quoted your cite recently. I'm impressed and would like to know if there are many other coalitions, such as yours, in other states.
As soon as I heard about this blog site, I decided that I wanted to leave my own comments and experiences.
I have three daughters. They are in: 2nd grade (the only one who doesn't have to take the CSAP yet), 5th grade and 6th grade. The 5th grader is the one having the most trouble. Every time CSAP testing time comes around, we start the nightmares, crying spells, nerves and depression. She wants to be opted out VERY badly, but I am a substitute teacher and worried that opting my kids out of the test will affect my ability to find jobs with the school districts.
This morning (3/2/2011) my 5th grader was in TEARS and didn't want to go to school (of course CSAP's started this week). I took her in to the school myself so that I could speak to the secretary to see what I could do. I told the secretary (the Principal was standing behind her) about my daughter's symptoms and how upset she was. I mentioned that I had considered "opting" my daughter out. The principal speaks up and practically yells..."No!" Of course, my first thought was..."This is MY child; you are NOT going to tell me what to do." I asked the Principal why they didn't just use the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) that they used when I was in school. She had no answer for me. Of course, we all know it's really an issue of money. It concerns me greatly that my daughter's principal is more concerned about gaining funds than she is about my daughter's mental health. They called the school counselor to come speak with my daughter. I cry inside for her.
NOW...about my 6th grader: she doesn't WANT me to opt her out because her math teacher has given her students the impression that they won't be able to get into a good college unless they take the CSAP's. How ridiculous!
WHAT can we do about this money-making, brain-washing, political debacle? I am absolutely disgusted, but I don't know where to go next. Ideas...PLEASE!!!!
Heidi (Colorado Springs, CO)
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