Do you know that the blasted NYS Dept of Ed is going to have our kids take another day of testing in June, for "field testing". Unbelievable.
[
Reply | Watch |
Flag
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:48 PM
Flag
»
What grade are you talking about?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:49 PM
Flag
»
PTA letter at my school said grades 3-8.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:49 PM
Flag
»
what else did the letter say? What subjects?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:50 PM
Flag
»
Do you mean to norm future questions? What subject, what grade?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:49 PM
Flag
»
Yes, to norm future questions. I believe it's grades 3-8, I'm not sure which subjects or for how many hours the test will be.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:51 PM
Flag
»
How do you know this?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:49 PM
Flag
»
Letter from school PTA. Also, confirmed if you google it.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:50 PM
Flag
»
what should I google? just nyc field test june?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:51 PM
Flag
»
I'm not interested in the pineapple and the hare again.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:56 PM
Flag
»
at the end of the article, it confirms the June field tests
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:58 PM
Flag
»
I googled and I don't see why anyone would be pissed off at this.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:59 PM
Flag
»
do you have a 3rd-8th grader in NYC public school?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:01 PM
Flag
»
I do.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:03 PM
Flag
»
What is wrong with taking a test in school?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:50 PM
Flag
»
I just googled. BFD it is just to norm. Nothing to fear.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:52 PM
Flag
»
I'm missing the part where this is a big deal.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:53 PM
Flag
»
it isn't.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:54 PM
Flag
»
Why are you so upset? It is simple to norm future tests, this is how its done. Who cares if its NYC turn? My goodness. And for the love of God don't prep your kid - just send them to school that day. It means nothing.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:53 PM
Flag
»
unless you have a kid in nyc public school, you dont' get it.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:54 PM
Flag
»
I have children in public school. One of them is in 4th grade. Now, it means nothing. Get a grip.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:55 PM
Flag
»
you think it's okay that our kids time is wasted taking a meaningless test that helps Pearson? After spending 6 days already taking horribly written tests that derailed any actual education they were getting?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:59 PM
Flag
»
yes, I think it is ok to field test questions on some of the nyc school children. I also disagree that the ELA and Math tests our children took are meaningless. My child's education was not derailed by these tests in any way shape or form.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:02 PM
Flag
»
then your kids must go to a crappy school that teaches to the test. I'm sorry about that.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:05 PM
Flag
»
What is the matter with you?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:05 PM
Flag
»
Relax.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:06 PM
Flag
»
OP: if it matters, this was not me.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:19 PM
Flag
»
no, because you are just as obnoxious below.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:56 PM
Flag
»
It's the state. No biggie.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:54 PM
Flag
»
Why is this a problem?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:55 PM
Flag
»
I agree with you that it's unbelievable. Instead of Pearson norming the test on a representative group of kids that THEY round up and compensate accordingly, they are wasting our kids' time without compensation. And charging a ridiculous sum to create the test anyway.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:55 PM
Flag
»
op: this! I am strongly considering keeping my kid home that day and doing something actually educational. Pearson can either pay my kid some of the $32 million the state paid to them to create the tests, or not give my kid this test.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:56 PM
Flag
»
Ha Ha - yes, pay a tutor to give them practice tests up the yin yang - but don't let them get a little practice for free. Please people.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:59 PM
Flag
»
I would support you 100% if you did this.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:59 PM
Flag
»
you want them to round up children and pay them?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:58 PM
Flag
»
Yes, that's generally how private test-makers create tests. Unless they sneak in test sections unbeknownst to the tester (as in the GREs).
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:00 PM
Flag
»
Oh please!
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:58 PM
Flag
»
Which part do you disagree with? This is not standard practice for a private testing company.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:00 PM
Flag
»
Yes it is.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:21 PM
Flag
»
Really? Please name the other examples in which a private company (and not a non-profit) has charged a department of ed a great amount of money for test development and also required said department to provide its own children as guinea pigs for question development. Until recently, this did not happen. Private companies developed questions by recruiting test subjects on their own. Because that is what they are charging school districts for. Test development.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:59 PM
Flag
»
It is actually usual and customary for there to be experimental and new questions in exams. It is an important part of validating exam questions.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:47 PM
Flag
»
Yes, of course. But it is not customary for the questions to be tested on students in school who are not allowed to opt out--when the test is created by a private company and sold to a department of ed. When a non-profit or the department of ed creates a test this is normal. When a private company is benefitting, it is not normal at all--because they are charging the payor for the cost of development.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:55 PM
Flag
»
why can't your child opt out? have you asked?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 07:03 PM
Flag
»
np btw
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 07:04 PM
Flag
»
actually, PTA at my school is circulating a letter that will be sent to the principal requesting that student be given "alternate educational activities" during the field test time and denying permission for kid to take the test. I believe this has the principal's full support.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 06:11 AM
Flag
»
Np: Here is the letter: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/apda/ei/38fieldtest-memo-12.pdf. I just checked our school's calendar, looks like our school was selected to ft the science exam, luckily my dd is in 5th grad and escapes it.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 05:56 PM
Flag
»
sounds like much ado about nothing.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:10 PM
Flag
»
I think its good practice.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:04 PM
Flag
»
Keep your dcs home.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:04 PM
Flag
»
exactly. if you think they can't take this horror - skip the day.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:06 PM
Flag
»
you are missing the point.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:18 PM
Flag
»
NO, I disagree with your take on it, but I'm not missing anything.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:22 PM
Flag
»
which test does your child have to take?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:05 PM
Flag
»
I have no idea if they selected my child's school or not, but I don't see why this is a problem. Let's guess the test takes 90 minutes - big deal. It's 90 minutes out of one day to take a test that doesn't even have your child's name on it. Why would this matter to anyone?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:12 PM
Flag
»
For third graders, for example, it's 90 minutes on top of the 9 hours they have already spent testing, and this last day of testing isn't even purportedly for their educational benefit - it is for the benefit of the private test company. And yes, I think 90 minutes is a lot of time to waste, I disagree that it is nothing.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:18 PM
Flag
»
the last day of testing is not for your individual child's learning? It's great practice for test taking. It takes the stress out of it, if you say - just go do your best no big deal and mean it! It's a gift for a third grade child to practice for 4th grade (one of only two years when the test truly matter)
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:20 PM
Flag
»
OP: my kid doesn't need practice. He's great at test-taking. He does need time in school to learn how to write, read critically, learn math that is more challenging that the very basic stuff on these tests. I really think all public school parents should think about the increased prevalence of test-taking in NYC public schools. I know that on UB it's easy to take a side and then stick to it, and fun to pick on posters, but when you are off of this website, please spend some time thinking about this issue and what all this testing is doing to the quality of education in NYC.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:24 PM
Flag
»
The tests are NY STATE tests. STATE. Every child in the STATE take them (as well as in other states). For some reason NYC parents think their children are subjected to more tests than anyone else. We took them when we were children. You may want advanced math for your kid - someone else wants remedial math for theirs - this hour and 1/2 IF your school is selected and IF your child's grade is selected really isn't going to damage your child's education in any way.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:28 PM
Flag
»
The suggestion that a parent of a nyc child who is not anti test is just having fun picking on someone, or too stubborn to let go of their point and hasn't spent any time thinking about this issue IS BEYOND RUDE.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:29 PM
Flag
»
thank you, I was going to post the same above.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:30 PM
Flag
»
Actually, tests are more high stakes in NYC than in the rest of the state, both for the teachers and the students. For the students, scores are important for getting into middle and high school (unlike the suburbs where kids go to their zoned schools). And more crucial for teachers, because the NYC Dept. of Ed released the TDRs, which rely on heavily flawed statistics about the test scores that the teachers' students received. These tests really are different in NYC.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 04:36 AM
Flag
»
The tests are exactly the same. Same questions, same subjects and same number of hours. While the results in 4th and 7th are factored into middle and high school - they are not the ONLY factor. NYC parents need to get over their anxiety - and who cares if data is released on teachers? IMO, the teachers union screwed their members by not sitting down at the table and helping to find an agreeable method for evaluating (and firing) teachers. THIS is what happens when you don't join the party. Other people decide what to do with data.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 05:30 AM
Flag
»
Teachers care a lot if the data is released. Parents should care too - now teachers have a real incentive to spend a lot of class time preparing for the test. There is obviously a disagreement on here on the value of that, but I think preparing for the tests is a waste of time. So much better teaching goes on when class is not preparing for the test. And I'm not talking pottery - I'm talking about reading a classic work of literature and analyzing it rather than reading a 3 paragraph poorly written test essay and answering the 3 questions about it.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 06:14 AM
Flag
»
Blah blah - in 3, 5, 6 and 8th grade they mean nothing.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 05:31 AM
Flag
»
I don't see the big deal and my DC are in NYC public. It's a more representative group than if they recruited a sample.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:16 PM
Flag
»
I agree. I also am amused that every time a parent posted this wasn't a big deal, they were thought to NOT have children in nyc public school. ??
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:18 PM
Flag
»
you are really okay with kids spending 90 minutes for the benefit of the testing company? I am not.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:19 PM
Flag
»
For the benefit of future students. Include my youngest, in K.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:21 PM
Flag
»
Yes, I am really honest to goodness ok with norming test questions by using some nyc school children. 90 minutes is no big deal to me (assuming that it's the same as the tests they just took - and knowing my kid wouldn't take more than 45 minutes tops to finish :)
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:23 PM
Flag
»
OMG. WE GET IT. You are against this. Keep your kid home. The world will move on. GET OVER IT!
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:28 PM
Flag
»
Thank you!
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:31 PM
Flag
»
It is only going to get worse. When APPR is fully implemented, all grades and subject areas will have more tests for kids so that teachers can be evaluated. Teachers will be forced to teach to the test, students will suffer and testing companies will be raking it in.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:45 PM
Flag
»
OK, this "teach to the test" has got to stop. What pray tell is on the test that you don't think your child should know?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 06:54 PM
Flag
»
NP: I think the problem is that there are tons of things that don't appear on these tests that children DO need to know. And these things aren't being taught in many schools--especially low-income schools. That's what people get worked up about when they are upset by "teaching to the test."
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 07:01 PM
Flag
»
So, it isn't about your childs experience - it is about other children in "low income' schools? I'm not being snarky - I am trying to understand what you are upset about and why "teaching to the test" is a bad thing.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 07:06 PM
Flag
»
THIS is what happens every time you ask someone to stop and think before giving the knee jerk response. Every time - people don't know what to say. Then they go on and on about what should be taught - English and Math are important in K-8. Pottery? Not so much.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 07:08 PM
Flag
»
lol, not a big fan of pottery - but I do like art and music - however, there is plenty of time in a 7 hour school day to get it all in - my child's school does a fine job and every single question on the math and english tests for the past five years has been fine with me. Its just a minimum competency test. Why people flip out about it (other than teachers and administrators) is beyond me.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 07:10 PM
Flag
»
You do realize that art and music teachers will also have to be evaluated along with every other teacher. (So, more tests even in arts subjects, phys ed, etc). Teaching to the test is a problem because 1)the tests themselves are problematic (i,e, pineapple) 2) Less time will be spent on project-based learning 3) Standardized tests in many areas are not appropriate assessments of learning.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 07:42 AM
Flag
»
project based learning sucks.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
06.09.12, 01:37 PM
Flag
»
Like what?
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.29.12, 07:10 PM
Flag
»
It gets better. Last year they selected my self contained special ed school for field testing. My kids have learning disabilities and are far below grade level, get tons of testing accommodations, and are often upset and demoralized at the testing experience. Plus not really great to miss ANOTHER day of learning for something that doesn't directly help them. We learn nothing from the tests that we don't already know (what? he's below grade level? gee, better get him evaluated... oh right, he's already in special ed) The field test was a joke.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 03:32 AM
Flag
»
As a parent, I learn from the test. I know if my child is on target. Bad teachers don't teach anything, and don't always evaluate properly. While you may not learn anything - that doesn't mean no one else does.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 05:33 AM
Flag
»
it's norming. i think its cool they used your students.
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
04.30.12, 05:33 AM
Flag
»
I can see that there are some folks on this thread who want to take action around these field tests. I'm with you sisters. Go to ParentVoicesNY.org, there you can find a letter that you can share with other parents at your school about opting out of the tests. The best option is to go to your SLT or your PTA officers and get them on board with opting out of the field tests (this will not negatively impact anyone, and it could get a conversation started about how the tests are impacting the school and or curriculum). Pressure your principal (this could be with charm) to opt out of the field tests all together. The other route is just taking care of your own kid, and making sure the school offers them some other options, or a group of parents asking for this. But if the principal gets on board, you avoid any tension in the school. Does this make sense? Lastly, if you are hankering to find out more about the impact of high stakes testing on NYC public schools go to PS 321's high stakes testing event this Thursday 6:30-8. Go here to see which tests they are sending to your school - http://www.p12.nysed.gov/apda/fieldtest/
[
Reply
|
More
]
General Topics
05.07.12, 06:57 PM
Flag