Are scores all that matter?
I hope everyone has noticed that, so far, District 6 has not spoken of educating children but only of improving test scores. They claim they are going to do this. I think it may be possible--especially if they engage in 'push out' (cause lower scorers to drop out). I intend to see what the drop out rate is now and check where it is headed.
I also wonder why, if testing is so good, that 8 years of it haven't already improved our schools? A person who repeats and repeats a strategy that just isn't working for them is generally termed mentally ill. Our school district seems locked into this pattern.
I also wonder why, if testing is so good, that 8 years of it haven't already improved our schools? A person who repeats and repeats a strategy that just isn't working for them is generally termed mentally ill. Our school district seems locked into this pattern.
posted by Laura at 8:33 AM
16 Comments:
It's the sad state of the profession that the same is true in Denver - in press releases of the district or union, no mention any more of educating students and what this entails. The sleeping dust surrounds us, and those rascals the CSAP gnomes, keep spreading it around: swirl, hiss, pfftt!
Let's head out still to ring golden bells of inspiring words,smiles, care that keep ourselves awake and keep supporting students and families.
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While searching for the legality of counting non CSAP takers as -5 in the calculation, I came across your organization's website.
I wonder if you have familiarized yourselves with the excellent books and writings by Alfie Kohn, John Holt and John Taylor Gatto?
These "rebel" teachers support true education, instead of "factory" schooling. I highly recommend their books as well as books by William Glasser.
Since you mention the huge profits made by McGraw-Hill, one of the largest manufacturers of standardized test, you may find it interesting to know (but likely not surprising!) that the company's chairman, Harold McGraw and President Bush are friends! It read this in Alfie Kohn's book "What does it mean to be well educated?" In it Kohn sheds light on the distinct possibility that the NCLB law and the resulting high stakes tests are meant to steer education towards privatization.
Yes, we are familiar with those authors. Kohn is probably not the first to suggest that the obscene profits (437% increase since NCLB per Bus Week) are because of the legislation which was due to the Bush-McGraw relationship. If you look under Articles on our website you can find a lot of documentation. For that one, read Stephen Metcalf in the Nation.
Great article in today's Trib Laura! I intend to send in a comment on it soon.
Last night District Six officials admitted that the focus has moved from "universal access" to "universal proficiency".
All the assessments that will going to take place each school year (beyond CSAP) will make schools look like factories even more!
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From the Asst. Principal of Thunder Ridge HS in Douglas County in response to my questioning my daughter taking the tests verses catching up on schoolwork missed due to an extended absence for elite level athletics: "I believe Mr. Smith was trying to convey to you the importance of CSAP and the fact that results will appear on Krystin's transcript for this year's administration as per Colorado State Law. Should you decide to opt your daughter out of CSAP we would need you to come in to fill out some paperwork. We feel strongly that it is in Krystin's interest to take CSAP as the results are used by her teachers in helping them differentiate instruction through a system called CSNAP. The state of Colorado has changed the test this year to better monitor whether a student is achieving a year's growth from the last time they took it... also helpful information for us as we look towards college options for her. The school would absorb a 0 for her test should she choose to opt out, however our greater concern is with the tools we will lack as a result of such a choice and how this will impact our ability to meet her needs in the classroom. Ultimately the strength of a student's application to college is judged not only on test scores and transcripts, but also on the quality of the high school that student attended. CSAP is an important measure colleges use in assessing Colorado high schools, and in that sense it is also in her interest to sit for CSAP testing as her 0 would lower the school's overall score. For the moment you should know that if you do opt her out she is still expected to be present for the full day during CSAP testing and would be in a study hall in the morning if she was not being tested. Please know that her failure to show up for the full school day would result in an unexcused absence that could be excused with a doctor's note. We would hope that she would finish her CSAP testing this week and do make-up CSAP testing next week for any portions she has missed."
My reponse in part is, "Here is my dilemma, if what you say is true, and my daughter’s application to a college or university will also hinge on her CSAP score, then I insist she stop taking them now and I want to arrange an optimal time for her to take the test. Right now she is tired from a long season of racing and the resulting juggling of school and work. So if I accept your argument then I must insist on this as its in her best interest. I assume since as you say this score also reflects heavily on the school then this strategy is also very much in your favor as well. If on the other hand the reality is this is only a single factor in an ever changing and very political landscape, one where a poor score is more damaging than no score, then I say she not take the test and let the zero stand while we work on what I deem far more important, her education."
Feeling short on second opinions, thoughts?
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testing
My child's school ,New Vision Charter School, in Loveland, CO just added language to the Parent Handbook for the 2010-2011 school year that states "There is no'opt-out' provision to {the school's testing} policy. Students shall be rescheduled for testing upon return from absence."
We are at a loss what to do for our children. We don't want them to take the test, but we also don't want them to fall behind when they are "rescheduled" to take the test. Any ideas? any one else have/had this situation?
Eva Baca Elementary Principal Mrs. Rosa Saenz has opened the CSAP testing materials and made copies for the entire 3rd grade class students. She forces them to take the test over and over to memorize the correct answers. She has been doing the mock testing for over a week now. This is a travesty for the poor children being robbed of their education.
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I am a CO teacher and parent who is afraid to opt out of CSAP because we just moved and I am a probationary teacher. (It's a very small district and word would get around immediately...) However, I have written to Gov. Hickenlooper and others with my views.
April 21, 2011
The biggest concern is the learning and comprehension of the student. Retention is vital if curiosity is to prevail so our children can become lifelong learners. Why is it that parents/teachers/educators are spending and increasing amount of time arguing over the process instead of participating in readying students for the test? Standardized testing is not going anywhere. It is like opting out of paying taxes. Sooner than later it will catch up with and hinder your lifestyle. Standardized testing is part of post-secondary education, as well. Are we not preparing school age kids for college? By the way, this is not a rhetorical or economic question. And as far as anxiety surrounding school age students and testing is concerned, in my experience, it is developing because the parent is allowing it to. The parent’s attitude is determining how the child looks at this situation. Furthermore, if the teachers inside the classroom are in a gloomy mood over the instruction time, so will be the students. Take a more positive approach to testing and you will find a more agreeable audience that will perform. Not because they are mandated to, but rather, because it is seen as a new opportunity to learn, grow and achieve. Are you going to excuse your son/daughter when they are written up by their employer for not being timely or prepared? Not only will that person suffer social ridicule should you interfere, they will also be unemployed. Guess who will be moving back home…
Oh yeah, don’t compare our educational system to that of Japan’s. They have a flawless system that tests, tests and tests their students. And when their students don’t perform on the tests, they are sent to vocational school. At least in the USA (God bless this great nation), there is a second and third chance to attain the grade and go to university to earn a degree and get a ‘white collar’ job.
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