Get Schooled

By elementaryhistoryteacher

June 30, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this

I understand the need for assessments like the CRCT and I may be one of the few educators who likes many (not all) of the changes NCLB has brought to the table. I analyze my scores and use the data to impro-ve my teaching but here’s something that causes me thought…

Looking at my scores if I take the 4th grade reading test and I add up the number of questions in each domain that was scored I arrive at 39 questions. The public is told that children meet our expectations at 800-850. If I based their performance on a regular classroom test with 39 questions on a scale of 100 a student who scores 800 on the test has earned a grade of 53. I’m going to celebrate that child’s performance? The student met my expectations?

A student who scores 821 on the 4th grade reading test would earn a grade of 72. Better but still too close to a failing grade.

A student who scores 842 on the 4th grade reading test would earn a grade of 85. A much better score, and one that I feel comfortable with.

I’m concerned that we give parents a false picture when a student who scores 800 or a few points higher is in the category that is termed “met standards”, and generally these same students who hover around the cut off score are the same ones who struggle all year long. These are the ones I spend the most time with.

I’ve tried to get feedback concerning my feelings from administrators at all levels as well as the state BOE to no avail. Anyone want to weigh in?

By Ernest

June 30, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Nice tool! It is interesting the analysis that can be performed with it. There is additional demographic information I’d like to see with it however it is helpful as is.

FWIW, I’d also like to see the bottom 50 schools for each category also. Maybe I am a glutton for punishment but this along with demographic information would be interesting, especially if you could put this in a GIS (Geographical Information System) and map the results. Who know, the DOE probably does this already….

By When are they announcing the Georgia Master Teachers

June 30, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

Hi! Sorry to go off topic here, but does anyone know the status of the Georgia Master Teachers that were to be announced some time in June?

Thanks!

By luvs2teach

June 30, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Related (testwise) but not exactly on the subject of the CRCT…

While I was in Brazil, I learned some interesting things about their education system. Like ours, they have private and public, and like ours, private is generally superior.

There is both a FEDERAL as well as state college system that is free, as well as private colleges. Unlike the US, however, the federal and state colleges are generally considered superior to private schools (which have only really been increasing in number and availability since about 1996).

The difference is that while the government colleges are free, you must pass a test, called the vestibular, to gain admittance. You can take the test as often as you like, but it’s only given once a year. The private colleges have sprung up in response to students who want a college education, but can’t pass the vestibular.

Of course the private schools do a much better job of preparing students (who are also from economically better homes) than the public schools, BUT, one interesting thing I found out: if a private school thinks you will not pass the test, they can (and will) kick you out! Even your senior year. As a result, there is a second tier of private schools to take those that were expelled from their other schools.

More on topic - I looked at the list, and nothing I saw surprised me. Like Ernest, I too would like to see demographic info (particularly free/reduced lunch and PTA enrollment) for those schools as well as the info on the 50 lowest schools.

Final note - I changed from one high priority school to another this year, but my new school is not as challenging as my old (56% FRL vs 78%). My science scores went from about 60% passing to 74% passing. Did I improve that much as a teacher? I don’t think so.

And, neither of those numbers is good enough for me.

By decaturparent

June 30, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this

Whoa! How about Eastlake Elementary with about 95% minorities and close to 80% FRL (based on ‘05 numbers) beating out almost all of those affluent suburban schools (including Vanderlyn, Medlock Bridge, Crabapple, Austin, etc.) in every category in first grade! Wow! Great job Eastlake!

By Donna Lumb

July 3, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

I don’t know much about education, but I am interested. Is there any test which all students in all schools (both public and private) are required to pass in 4th, 8th and before gradution not only in Georgia but in the United States?