Hmmm, crying , puking, an asthma attack, and a kid wanting a present to be to pass a math test. I think they went a little too far on that standardized testing in third grade. I took my first one in fourth grade.

We go for victory!

sats? i never took mine, course i wasnt in school to take them...

hmm, id like to see the outcome of this one

Bah! Standardized testing is second nature to me. I go to public school in Ohio. We have Two proficiency tests at 4th and 6th and the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) in 10th which is all short answer/extended response. In addition to that my district has at least two or three standardized tests we have to take every year. I've been taking standardized tests since first grade, and there's no stopping it here.

In cities no one is quiet but many are lonely.
In the country, people are quiet but few are lonely.
(Geoffrey F. Fisher)
Wisdom of the web

These kinds of testing have 2 purposes. One is to test weather the student is learning, and to test the teaching ability of the teacher. IF one or two fail, the student, if a whole class, the teacher is at fault. After all, there are some bad teachers out there.

Michael Ezekiel

Finalday, I come from a family of teachers and there is one point I'd like to make:

In most Urban American schools (like mine), there are high rates of students who don't even want to learn. Now, the one or two students who do listen to the teacher, especially if it's a good teacher, and those students pass the test. The rest fail or do very poorly and the teacher is fired/punished. These tests are solely on the backs of the students. You can't rate teachers by how the students do, these tests only test the student.

Another thing: In my district they are going to start judging pay for teachers by test scores. Now, given the scenario above, does that sound fair?

Steve, in my neck of the woods, the teacher can make the difference. Our county, Fayette, has had high ratings from the schools with a very good reputation for learning that has got to the point of people moving here for the schools. It takes a good teacher to motivate a student. I had good ones and bad ones. The teacher that watched me and saw where I was missing it, help my grades and increased my intrest in science and Math. The bad ones I had did not, history and english. They didn't care weather I passed or failed. This is not an attack on teachers, but an observation. Some out there I have talked to, got out of it, because there were not cut out to teach.

Michael Ezekiel Mourn for the Children of the World.

Edited by - Finalday on 4/30/2004 4:48:11 PM

I come froma family of teachers and I am Homeschooled and this is normal I just took mine today. Also this is needed because it shows where you are at in your studies. If you are lagging behind or if you are very proficient in them. Also they are so F'n easy it doesnt matter. My 1st grade little sisters took them.

Now you're making me want to move to Georgia. I want to get away from this city anyway. It's crazy.

My reasoning was that teachers don't get the respect they deserve, at least not here. These people are trying as hard as they can with their tiny paycheck, heavy sacrifices and uncooperative students. In addition to that they have to put up with these tests. Sometimes if the students don't want to learn the teachers end up paying the price.

We don't have those sorts of tests here in Aus. At least I don't remember doing one. I could have repressed the memory though; I have with most of my school years .

whats next? get born, be tested?

IMHO: Tests, as in anything with questions, should be banned! BANNED I TELL YOU!!!!

If tests put so much pressure on so many kids, its prolly not a good thing, but on the other hands, reading tests are a good thing. Many ppl dont understand how important reading is, it helps your memory and it helps with studying. We started with tests in all our subjects in grade 3 and you had to pass them to pass the grade you wrote every term. I'll never forget, my teacher got so angry at me for getting 17/30 for a math test...she said that i spend to much time reading and not enough writing my tests

The other day you told me to choose between you and the world...I chose the world and you walked away not knowing that you are my world
sycho_warrior
Forum Systems

I can see the purpose but I can't agree with the method. Have the tests, but use them to target children having difficulties and have them promoted for additional learning. Holding them back is more likely to have a negative effect than a positive one.

Here in washington we have a wonderful little test called the washington state assesment of student learning (WASL). Its given at the 4,7,10 grade level. Its an utterly pointless and overvalued test. So overvalued in fact that teachers will spend all year preparing students for it. starting with the class of 2008 or so passing this test in 10th grade will determine if you graduate from 12th grade. Now that's whacked.

Give a man fire and he'll be warm for the night. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.- Terry Prachett