School Tests

I need a little help understanding the fuss over the scores of recent CRCT tests.

Although somehow the majority qualified to be passed to the next grade, there were too many who did not. The State Superintendent said the reason was that a new test was applied.

However, she also indicated that she would look into whether or not the proper instruction had been given to the students that would have caused them to pass the test. That means to me that they were taught the proper thing but that many didn't get it.

Frankly, I see the problem as when many students who were not taught in previous grades properly. They couldn't absorb it.
The failures were correct in other words. The problem may continue with the next groups.

In my opinion, the worst thing we could do to resolve the problem would be to "adjust" the scores in some fashion (a few weeks of summer school) in order to illegitimately pass them.

Do like baseball does: put an asterisk by their grades! Explain the asterisk by indicating that the failure is the fault of management and instruction.

sageadvice's blog | login to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
The Buck stops with the Boss
Submitted by Davids mom on Wed, 05/28/2008 - 9:44am.

This is our future that we're ' toying' with. My understanding is that the students in Georgia were tested on material that the teachers lacked the training and the materials to assist with instruction. The Georgia academic standards were changed. However, the curriculum (which often requires new materials and instructional training when changed) was not aligned with the new standards. This is a management problem. .and should not be confused with 'teaching the test'. It is not fair to test anyone on material to which they have not been exposed when testing for acquisition of concepts taught. The 'buck' stops with the 'boss'. The academic standards for instruction in public schools needs to be improved in order for our students to become contributing citizens not only in our local communities - but in the world.

Local communities and parents should be demanding a ‘just’ resolution to this problem. Students should not be held responsible for concepts not taught. It is true that often the average score is lower when curriculum standards are changed. Fayette County has outstanding professional educators - and I would not be surprised if a higher percentage of Fayette County students passed the test when compared to the entire state of Georgia.

login to post comments
Sage,
eodnnaenaj1's picture
Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Wed, 05/28/2008 - 7:28am.

It is with a degree of trepidation that I respond to your comment, because I never know what you'll come back with . . .however, you have hit a very raw exposed nerve this morning with your comment about "adjust" the scores . . . how very sad, but very true . . .

I'll not go into every detail, I'll simply say "adjusting" seems to be something some schools do without giving it a second thought. For certain programs, I've seen requirements/standards lowered so certain (elite) students could be in the program. When the student breaks under the pressure of these programs and comes up with a poor grade, I've seen the grade adjusted. So what can we expect - lowered expectations, and when student can't reach that lowered expectation, administration will simply "adjust" to make it right.

So, hey, what's a few more adjustments . . .


login to post comments
Adjustments
Submitted by sageadvice on Wed, 05/28/2008 - 11:06am.

If there was a plan as to what to do with those who do not pass there would be no need for adjustments.
As long as a substantial quantity can pass the tests as they are, they should not be changed.
It will be a long road to gain acceptance for some to go to trade or artistic schools instead of regular schools. Americans like "leveling"
too much.

login to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.