I guess something that I would like to talk is the grading system that our governor put in place. I don't really understand why this would be necessary. I think that other factors need to be put into the grading system besides test. Our school has a huge amount of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch, somewhere around 85% and we have about 30% of the students that are in special education. So, that 30% will really bring down our "grade."
I wish that the students were "graded" on their personal accomplished, not based on some standardized test. We had one 6th grade this year that, at the beginning of the year, tested at a 4th grade reading level. At the end of this year, he was on grade level! That is amazing! That is all due to hard work on his special education teacher for literacy. But, will we be recognized for this, no. We had a lot of students improve this year and I think that a change in our administration had a HUGE effect on that.
At the end of the school year, all of my 5th grade Title I students tested out of the program. And, some of our special education kids, tested out of special education. Why can't this be included into the grading system.
I just feel like these grades are a slap in the face and a lot of the parents don't understand what the grading system is and how schools are graded.
I guess I just think that this grading system that the State of Maine has, needs to get looked into a little more. Either eliminate it, or create something that is a little more realistic.
I agree! My district is in the same boat as yours. We have nearly 80% of our population receiving free and reduced lunches, a high special education population and Title IA services delivered on a school-wide basis. Our elementary school (K-4) again received an "F" on the State's "wonderful" grading system. This "F" is based on on standardized test taken by 17 kids! We do some wonderful things in our district and offer some nice opportunities to our children, as I am sure your school does, but this grade certainly doesn't reflect the greatness of our kids (probably I am biased) and the gains that they are making. The system really does need to be reviewed!
ReplyDeleteWow, it sounds like we work at the same school! We have about 90 kids k-6 though. But still, it is a "messed up" grading system. We are also going to be school wide Title I next school year.
DeleteNo pass/fail or graded system will ever show the greatness that teachers in low-income schools reach. Like you said with the kid who went from 4th to grade level you won't get recognized because the kid is now only meeting expectations. It's very sad that teachers/schools that perform miracles like that can still be rated at an "F".
ReplyDeleteI agree David.
ReplyDeleteHow should we report student progress so that parents, students, and the general public understands what we are doing...whether we are successful or not?
ReplyDeleteWith my Title I students, I write a report each trimester on what they have improved on, done well and still need to work on. I have about 13 students, so it's not that bad, but a teacher having to do this for all of their students might be lengthy. At our school, we have discussed using some sort of checklist to show progress for when we change to standards-based. I feel like some sort of report would be necessary to let parents and students know how they are doing. As for the public, or state, if we could create some sort of form that would show where the students were at the beginning of the school year, middle, and then ending. It would show the students progress without having to do a bunch of standardized tests. We do a beginning of the year test to see where students are in math and literacy. Then they get the same test at the end of the year. This shows where they have grown and what they are still struggling with.
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