I dont know much about standardized tests, I had to do a semester of volunteering/tutoring for my public service credits(why the require that of law students, I still dont know). I was placed in a charter school, 95% minorities, 78% free lunch, but it actually had very good teachers, most graduated from ivy league schools, had advanced degrees, etc. I had 6th and 8th graders. I would estimate that 1/3 could not read a simple sentence without stopping. My observations: -dont put "smart" and "stupid" kids together, smart kids get annoyed/lose interest and stupid kids feel even more inferior -dont make school about fun, make it about learning -dont reward/promote mediocrity - I think this one is the root of all the problems.
"smart" and "stupid" are not the right term. Again, the question is why were the kids who couldn't read a simple sentence without stopping in the 6-8 grade?
Most of the teachers in that school tried, but most of the kids didn't care, why they didn't care is another issue, you can come up with whatever tests you want, but if you dont value something, you will not work for it.
I have seen teachers say "we are having a quiz tomorrow, you need to get 7/10 to pass" So basically, you strive to be average, nobody said, you need to get an A, everyone says you need to pass. I have also seen parents yell at a teacher (in the kids presence) who didn't pass their kid, and they would use every possible excuse in the book- ADHD, ADD, asthma, he needs extra time, you are a bad teacher, etc. Now, the kid knows 10 different excuses why he doesn't have to work hard. So, basically the student got there because noone had the balls to tell him that he is ummm...."stupid" and needs to work harder, and its not the school, its him :)
Re: Standardized tests FOR TEACHERS...jentosFebruary 1 2011, 12:26:21 UTC
Certification could come from federal or state government. If the basic benchmarks are set up that way, the schools will be able to figure out how to get there.
In reading, just like in any subject, there are certain skills that are measurable and desirable.
No school really bypasses anything. It's just that the students are not required to learn it. Remember, the diplomas are issued and signed by the district, not by the school, so there is a certain universal expectation for graduation. We just need to keep to it, at least.
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My observations:
-dont put "smart" and "stupid" kids together, smart kids get annoyed/lose interest and stupid kids feel even more inferior
-dont make school about fun, make it about learning
-dont reward/promote mediocrity - I think this one is the root of all the problems.
Reply
Reply
Most of the teachers in that school tried, but most of the kids didn't care, why they didn't care is another issue, you can come up with whatever tests you want, but if you dont value something, you will not work for it.
I have seen teachers say "we are having a quiz tomorrow, you need to get 7/10 to pass" So basically, you strive to be average, nobody said, you need to get an A, everyone says you need to pass. I have also seen parents yell at a teacher (in the kids presence) who didn't pass their kid, and they would use every possible excuse in the book- ADHD, ADD, asthma, he needs extra time, you are a bad teacher, etc. Now, the kid knows 10 different excuses why he doesn't have to work hard. So, basically the student got there because noone had the balls to tell him that he is ummm...."stupid" and needs to work harder, and its not the school, its him :)
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
(The comment has been removed)
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(The comment has been removed)
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(The comment has been removed)
In reading, just like in any subject, there are certain skills that are measurable and desirable.
No school really bypasses anything. It's just that the students are not required to learn it. Remember, the diplomas are issued and signed by the district, not by the school, so there is a certain universal expectation for graduation. We just need to keep to it, at least.
Reply
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