Topic: Changes in School Accountability Coming (Read 1071 times)

Young Marines Mom · « **Reply #15 on:** May 01, 2009, 08:12:12 AM »

Quote from: outspoken on April 30, 2009, 07:26:48 PM

I'm not opposed to testing . . . but some of the stuff that DD comes home with is just plain confusing . . . they spend more time trying to "trick" the kids. . . just ask the questions straight up and don't throw in a bunch of nonsense trying to confuse a 4th grader! If they want to know what 12 x 12 is . . . just say 12 x 12 = instead of "A farmer has a 12 groups of geese, 12 groups of cows and 12 groups of pigs. Each group of geese has 12, each group of cows has 4 and each group of pigs has 5. What is the total number of the geese?"

The problem is that politicans think they know how to teach.

There does need to be some kind of testing accountability. They need to have real world situations for math. Some of the questions and "situations" that they use on the tests are worthless. Don't most districts and/or campuses still use Semester and End of Year exams for accountability? Why can't those be used to determine whether or not a student has absorbed the information that was taught over the school year. Then during their senior year have the exit exam. I don't know, maybe I am simplifying it too much.

outspoken · « **Reply #16 on:** May 01, 2009, 08:28:38 AM »

Quote from: Young Marines Mom on May 01, 2009, 08:12:12 AM

Quote from: outspoken on April 30, 2009, 07:26:48 PM
I'm not opposed to testing . . . but some of the stuff that DD comes home with is just plain confusing . . . they spend more time trying to "trick" the kids. . . just ask the questions straight up and don't throw in a bunch of nonsense trying to confuse a 4th grader! If they want to know what 12 x 12 is . . . just say 12 x 12 = instead of "A farmer has a 12 groups of geese, 12 groups of cows and 12 groups of pigs. Each group of geese has 12, each group of cows has 4 and each group of pigs has 5. What is the total number of the geese?"

The problem is that politicans think they know how to teach.

There does need to be some kind of testing accountability. They need to have real world situations for math. Some of the questions and "situations" that they use on the tests are worthless. Don't most districts and/or campuses still use Semester and End of Year exams for accountability? Why can't those be used to determine whether or not a student has absorbed the information that was taught over the school year. Then during their senior year have the exit exam. I don't know, maybe I am simplifying it too much.

The government does not know how to simplify things.

Osota · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01, 2009, 04:33:29 PM »

The problem is that politicans think they know how to teach.
[/quote]

I don't know, maybe I am simplifying it too much.
[/quote]
The government does not know how to simplify things.
[/quote]

I guess the govt is not smarter than a 5th grader.

BigCfromtheRanch · « **Reply #18 on:** May 01, 2009, 04:49:22 PM »

Quote from: Osota on May 01, 2009, 04:33:29 PM

The problem is that politicans think they know how to teach.

I don't know, maybe I am simplifying it too much.
[/quote]
The government does not know how to simplify things.
[/quote]

I guess the govt is not smarter than a 5th grader.
[/quote]

outspoken · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2009, 05:17:54 PM »

The government definately stinks at math . . . . they cannot balance a budget

dranet · « **Reply #20 on:** May 02, 2009, 12:45:40 PM »

Quote from: outspoken on May 01, 2009, 05:17:54 PM

The government definately stinks at math . . . . they cannot balance a budget

Most politicians have short hair too.... and it didn't make them any smarter!!!!

So why is it so important in school? I had a great friend in school whose hair was long and scraggly (he was in a hair band - go figure) and he was a straight A student, and never got in trouble.

Sorry, hair wasn't supposed to be a focus. I just couldn't stop myself.

myavrey · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2009, 03:20:18 PM »

Quote from: Heather on April 30, 2009, 10:22:36 AM

My daughter was told by the elementary school that if they dont get commended on TAKS they lose an elective. So if you dont get commended on both math and english that is two electives they lose bc they need to take "special" courses.

A girl in her class was released from the hospital the other day because she got so sick over the TAKS test. She had a break down over it. This has gotten ridiculous.

As for the length of hair issue... again... schools focusing on nonsense rather then the real issues. Lets worry about belts, brads, and hair because surely education is secondary to that. Plus we all know what a big distraction they are

That could be possible if they are placing the students in some type of TAKS prep. BUT, the fact that it's being done because a student didn't get commended is ridiculous. I would be having a conversation with the Super if that were my child. If that didn't work, I would be calling TEA!

Sequential Posts Automatically Merged: July 01, 2009, 09:29:24 PM

Sequential Posts Automatically Merged: July 02, 2009, 03:33:33 PM

Quote from: Young Marines Mom on April 30, 2009, 08:40:34 AM

Something needed to be done. Just this week my 7th grader was so worried about her math and english/reading taks tests. She is in the AP classes for those subjects. She was told that if she didn't make commended, then she wouldn't be in the AP classes anymore. What happens if she misses it by one question? No AP classes anymore. Not too sure if that is completely correct, but still - to make a kid worry like that? She is a smart cookie and will probably make commended anyways, but c'mon. (yes I am bragging )

There does need to be some kind of accountability in what the students are learning. But it shouldn't be to where all involved are stressed beyond belief. From the Super all the way down to the students.

Some of the ideas represented are good. It sounds like they are trying to get the pressure released and still have some kind of accountability.

Are they really trying to pass a law about the length of the hair - Does it really matter? Really?!?! Give me a break. I can't believe they are really wasting time on that.

I do like the idea of three years worth of testing scores. Makes more sense than penalizing a school/campus for one bad year.

The school can't do that! The College Board states that ANY student can take an AP or Pre-AP class regardless of TAKS scores, grades in classes, GPA, etc. What we do at North Mesquite is have a checklist that states the skills NEEDED to be successful in an AP class. If the students does not meet the criteria, we have the student and parent sign a waiver stating they understand the student does not have the required skills to be successful in an AP class, but can still take the class. The criteria does not include being commended on TAKS.

doubleE · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2009, 04:56:46 PM »

Quote from: myavrey on July 02, 2009, 03:20:18 PM

Quote from: Heather on April 30, 2009, 10:22:36 AM
My daughter was told by the elementary school that if they dont get commended on TAKS they lose an elective. So if you dont get commended on both math and english that is two electives they lose bc they need to take "special" courses.

A girl in her class was released from the hospital the other day because she got so sick over the TAKS test. She had a break down over it. This has gotten ridiculous.

As for the length of hair issue... again... schools focusing on nonsense rather then the real issues. Lets worry about belts, brads, and hair because surely education is secondary to that. Plus we all know what a big distraction they are

That could be possible if they are placing the students in some type of TAKS prep. BUT, the fact that it's being done because a student didn't get commended is ridiculous. I would be having a conversation with the Super if that were my child. If that didn't work, I would be calling TEA!
Sequential Posts Automatically Merged: July 01, 2009, 09:29:24 PM

Sequential Posts Automatically Merged: July 02, 2009, 03:33:33 PM
Quote from: Young Marines Mom on April 30, 2009, 08:40:34 AM
Something needed to be done. Just this week my 7th grader was so worried about her math and english/reading taks tests. She is in the AP classes for those subjects. She was told that if she didn't make commended, then she wouldn't be in the AP classes anymore. What happens if she misses it by one question? No AP classes anymore. Not too sure if that is completely correct, but still - to make a kid worry like that? She is a smart cookie and will probably make commended anyways, but c'mon. (yes I am bragging )

There does need to be some kind of accountability in what the students are learning. But it shouldn't be to where all involved are stressed beyond belief. From the Super all the way down to the students.

Some of the ideas represented are good. It sounds like they are trying to get the pressure released and still have some kind of accountability.

Are they really trying to pass a law about the length of the hair - Does it really matter? Really?!?! Give me a break. I can't believe they are really wasting time on that.

I do like the idea of three years worth of testing scores. Makes more sense than penalizing a school/campus for one bad year.

The school can't do that! The College Board states that ANY student can take an AP or Pre-AP class regardless of TAKS scores, grades in classes, GPA, etc. What we do at North Mesquite is have a checklist that states the skills NEEDED to be successful in an AP class. If the students does not meet the criteria, we have the student and parent sign a waiver stating they understand the student does not have the required skills to be successful in an AP class, but can still take the class. The criteria does not include being commended on TAKS.

Out of curiousity, what AP courses are offered in 7th grade? I know that you have Pre-AP courses in junior high, but I was not aware of AP offerings at that level.

As a side-note, College Board only regulates AP courses. Pre-AP courses are regulated entirely by the local school districts and have no connection to College Board. That is why College Board threatened legal action a few years ago for infringement on their copyright protected name of "Advanced Placement" for the fact that "Pre-AP" seemed to imply an association between those courses and College Board, when they are not and never have been associated. College Board never followed through on their action.

Now, in some districts, an AP syllabus is used in creating the Pre-AP courses, but they are under the control of the local districts.

Heather · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2009, 08:55:01 PM »

I believe its Pre-AP and those are the "elective" classes the kids will lose to take the TAKS prep test (even if they missed commended by 1 point). I could understand if they didnt pass... but they are saying kids need to have commended in order to take advance classes? Even if all year long they blew away those classes, but one test ruins it for them? What a load of bunk.

Young Marines Mom · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2009, 07:13:23 AM »

Sorry - I did mean Pre-AP they are Math, English and Reading. She did have to take the Reading and lose the extra elective - that was everyone regardless of how they did on tests in their 6th grade year. No biggee though.

myavrey · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2009, 07:50:37 AM »

I have never taught in Middle School, but I do not believe AP classes are offered at that level. AP is offered during 11th and 12th basically. They are probably just Honors or AT which is advanced track. AP classes are classes taken during high school that can be used as college credit if the student scores high enough on the AP test. Usually it's a 3 or above, but it depends on the college. Also, you have to apply to get the college credit with the university the student is attending. Honors are higher level courses that will get student double grade points which will go towards their class rank (high school only). Pre-AP is basically an honors course which will prepare them for AP. Example: A student will take Pre-AP English 1, English 2, English 3 and then AP English 4. There are many AP classes thru college board, but schools usually do not offer all of them.

Gonzo · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2009, 01:30:52 PM »

It is my understanding that the kids only lose an elective if they do not PASS a particular TAKS test. They don't have to reach commended. That is a misunderstanding. The reason you lose an elective if you fail is you are then required to take a class that will HELP you pass later. I don't have any problem with that at all!

Now, on the other hand, my wife and I would love to see there being some recogntion for students who do achieve Commended Performance on these tests. Some schools here in Forney do that and some don't. Those that don't are claiming it would be a FERPA violation, but if that is so, how is it that other schools manage to do so and there are no repercussions? It should be the same across the District, not left up to each school. Maybe the way they recognize could be left up to individual schools, but the recognition should happen everywhere.

yesitsme · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2009, 01:43:25 PM »

Although you and the Mrs. have your hearts in the right place - I don't agree that any more recognition,credit or attention should be given to these tests or following that line, the achievement of 'Commended' on these tests.
When mine does it (gets Commended 9 times out of 10) he is proud enough of that fact alone w/o any additional hoopla. He gets lots of praise from us too.

Some kids are just better 'test takers' then others.

Sometimes through the years they have gotten some kind of 'class' reward if a certain percentage ranks 'commended'.

I'm with you though, unless they are 'naming off' publicly who did or didn't get it, I don't see how it violates FERPA.

Heather · « **Reply #28 on:** July 12, 2009, 12:27:56 PM »

Quote from: Gonzo on July 06, 2009, 01:30:52 PM

It is my understanding that the kids only lose an elective if they do not PASS a particular TAKS test. They don't have to reach commended. That is a misunderstanding. The reason you lose an elective if you fail is you are then required to take a class that will HELP you pass later. I don't have any problem with that at all!

Now, on the other hand, my wife and I would love to see there being some recogntion for students who do achieve Commended Performance on these tests. Some schools here in Forney do that and some don't. Those that don't are claiming it would be a FERPA violation, but if that is so, how is it that other schools manage to do so and there are no repercussions? It should be the same across the District, not left up to each school. Maybe the way they recognize could be left up to individual schools, but the recognition should happen everywhere.

I dont think it was a misunderstanding. If its not true... then the schools were telling kids this to scare them. Which wouldnt surprise me in the least. My daughter came home extremely upset about it and I had talked to other parents who were told the same exact thing. So either the schools were using it as scare tactics or it was true. If it was a scare tactic that ticks me off more. But there were too many kids who went home with this belief for me to think it was a misunderstanding. If that is the case... the school should have been clearing it up because children were upset about it.

Twenty Peaceful Minutes

Author Topic: Changes in School Accountability Coming (Read 1071 times)

Young Marines Mom

Re: Changes in School Accountability Coming

outspoken

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Osota

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BigCfromtheRanch

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outspoken

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dranet

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myavrey

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doubleE

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Heather

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Young Marines Mom

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myavrey

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Gonzo

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yesitsme

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Heather

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