TAKS Test Scores...

[lmam88]

I could not believe my eyes when I saw this! Is this for real? Is this what it's going to come to??? Think we have a teacher shortage now?

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/strange/Detroit-parents-group-calls-jailtime-teachers-dpgo-fc-1260818137700

[luxgolfer]

I think it is a great suggestion! If a teacher isn't properly teaching our kids, I'd consider it a derelection of duty and theft of my tax dollars. Dedicated teachers have nothing to worry about.

[lmam88]

I do not believe a teacher's entire career should ride on a test given once a year. Yes, I do believe there should be some accountability but sending them to JAIL seems pretty severe for results of a once a year test. I have a niece and nephew that are teachers who LOVE their jobs, are great teachers but that doesn't mean that their teaching styles reach every student that comes into their classrooms! JMO though.

[JakRussll]

I could not believe my eyes when I saw this! Is this for real? Is this what it's going to come to??? Think we have a teacher shortage now?

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/strange/Detroit-parents-group-calls-jailtime-teachers-dpgo-fc-1260818137700

No Iman, to answer your question, it is not for real. And, no one is going to start putting teachers in jail for low performances on TAKs tests either.

You also ask, do I "think we have a teacher shortage now?" The answer again is NO. We do not have a teacher shortage. We have teaching environments that draw very few applicants. And quite often, those applicants are accepting that opportunity only after exhausting all other possibilities. That is not due to a teacher shortage. Try applying for an open job as a history teacher at Eanes middle school. The line stretches to the capital. Want to teach 9th grade Government at LBJ high school? What time can you start?

The reason that there is a "perceived" shortage is due to the lack of rewarding opportunities - and the subsequent turnover in the profession. The average public school teacher leaves after 7 years. That's AVERAGE. Factor in the ones that make it to retirement and you are heavily weighted at the 1-2 year turnover. Most leave for the same reason that is stated above (LBJ type jobs were all they could get). Right now, teacher certification programs are full to the brim. Economy driven of course. There are more applicants than positions available.

Your referenced article quotes a Detroit parent (Sharlonda) who wants to put teachers in jail for failing student rates. What would that accomplish and how does she know? We are left to wonder for ourselves how her own children did on the TAKS since the writer leaves that material fact vacant. There are 6 (soon to be 7) teachers in my immediate family. Not one has left the profession. They stand in unity that the major obstacle to moving children through the academic process today is not the money. It is the P-a-r-e-n-t-s. It is the Sharlondas of this country that show up after the fact and have to ask "what they teaching these kids these days?". They are too lazy to be involved before and during the process or they wouldn't have to ask.

[mdarling]

That whole article is ridicuous. Did you notice the response by the district's financial officer. The article talks about the grades for math; and he wants 100,000 volunteer hours to help with reading! Ok, that's a start, but what about the math? I'm also wondering where the responsibility of the parents fits in here? Probably the kids who are failing are the same ones whose parents don't give a darn. Is Sharlonda's child in the failing group? Or is this just an opportunity for her to vent all over teachers?

[lmam88]

I do believe that quite a few parents are leaving too much up to the schools. It is a partnership (or should be) between parent and school. Parents need to put their kids as #1 on their priority list instead of very last. It is a PARENTS responsibility to set aside homework time, attend any and all teacher/parent conferences and take the time to talk with their kids about their day. That one never ceases to amaze me...so many parents don't think to do that! That's the first question out of my mouth! If he says it was a good day then I asked him what his favorite part was and if his reply is bad then I say oh, I'm sorry what happened and follow up with tomorrow is another day and how he can make it a better one. Now, if a parent is involved and does all they can does that mean that their kid is not going to have academic struggles? NOPE! We have one that is extremely bright but something I have noticed is that he excels better with a certain style of teacher. Is that the teachers fault? NOPE, because even though they may not reach my child they may turn the light on for the next kid. He couldn't read enough books last year and this year it is like pulling teeth! One of our grown kids had a problem with concentrating in a certain teachers class but had no problems in his other teachers classroom. We solved it by just switching the classes around and it was just the difference in teaching styles. One was more laid back and noisy the other one was a more strict and orderly environment. I just do not believe a teacher should be punished for not reaching every student. I do believe a parents involvement is a big part of their child's academic success and in life but teachers do have a large impact on them as well! I know there is not enough time in the day for some parents that are having to work so muc, sometimes two jobs this day and time so please don't think I am bashing all parents. I am not perfect but do give my 110% to our kids...

[JakRussll]

Sounds like we need many more parents like you Imam. Involvement = Awareness.

[JWebb]

There must be a third partner for sucess in education: The student. If parents and teachers are giving their all the student may still fail if he doesn't take advantage of what is being offered.

[lmam88]

JakRussell, thank you!
JWebb, I could not agree more. That why I believe the Elementary years are so crucial because kids attitudes towards school are formed then. Our oldest had wonderful Elementary years and pretty much breezed through school. Our middle son had a horrible time in his Elementary years (the out of state school he attended couldn't keep a teacher in his class. Wound up going through 3 in one year!) From then on out no matter what we did or the school did he HATED it! So if a good academic foundation is laid and they LIKE school then they will certainly take advantage of what is being offered. That's why parents MUST be involved as early and as much as possible!

[curious]

I could not agree more. Public "screwal" is nothing more than state-run daycare. There is no time to "teach" anything, because they have to RAISE the kids, while the parents do NOTHING. That's one reason they assign so much homework. They've had to "dummy-down" the classroom to accomodate the dead weight. Plus, nowadays, they have busses pick up the kids IN TOWN! Once again, there is no responsibility by the parents. They can't expel them, because they lose too much state money. So you put them in a screw-off class where the teacher reads the paper and the kids sleep or text their friends. The whole system is a joke. The government does NOT owe your kid an education! If YOU won't instill in your kid the virtue of a good education, it should be on YOU, not the tax payers to babysit your brat. And, all this volunteerism they are asking for should come from the parents, by way of working with them at home, not by John Q Public. Grow up!

[lmam88]

Not sure I agree 100% with you, curious. Most definitely we as parents need to stop expecting the school to raise the kids...no doubt. However the reason why the homework load is so heavy is not because they are having to babysit or"dummy down" it's because our kids are expected to learn so much information it is imperative that they get help here at home too. The teachers have to teach to the TAKS test now because so much rides on the results on so many different levels. As for the bus routes, there are parents that do have to work that simply cannot arrange their work hours around school times. I know when I worked it took some real juggling to cover all the bases! Plus I would much rather a child ride a bus to school then have them crossing a busy highway and not get there at all. Some of the drivers in this area have no regard for human life!
Let's not belittle the kids...they do not get to choose their parents!
God Bless~

[nosefornews]

OK, I have to admit I haven't paid any attention to the TAKS test discussion becuase I have no kids going to school so I had no vested interest. However, after reading some of the posts (mostly very anti-taks) about teachers having to teach the TAKS, I have to ask (and I'm not being sarcastic) exactly what is the TAKS supposed to test for?

And how is it a different curriculum from the pre-taks curriculum?

Thanks

[JakRussll]

The TAKS results are what the state basis' its school ratings on. Exemplorary, Above Average, Failing, etc. If you are a public school principal and you want to keep your job, or get a newer one........you place your attention on teaching the TAKS.

While the TAKS may have a place when measuring student learning.......it's broader use is measuring teacher/administrator effectivness. It is the "acid test" for administration. As a teacher you are judged on this years class results, even though many of those same students did not perform well enough last year to earn the move up.

[nosefornews]

What subjects are the students tested on?

[lmam88]

This year will be our youngest first year and he will be taking the Reading and Math. That's why they are pushing the Accelerated Reading Program so hard. Think that is why our kiddo's attitude has changed this year with reading, it's not for pleasure anymore! If it's still the same as it was when our 20yr. old was in school next year they will be adding Writing which is going to be a doozey for us. This year they only get one shot at this test. The meeting I attended the Teachers and Administration seem to be excited and all for it. As a parent it makes me nervous to know if he has a bad day "that" day there will not be another chance to make it up. I know he knows the material just concerns me the extreme measures that are put on the faculty and kids during those two days. They are not even allowed to go to the bathroom by themselves and have to be closely monitored at lunchtime. Reason being the kids cannot discuss the test at all with peers...pretty extreme for the guys that are taking it for the very first time. The politics is just way out of control surrounding this test and there does desperately need to be changes...

[Caretaker]

I could not agree more. Public "screwal" is nothing more than state-run daycare. There is no time to "teach" anything, because they have to RAISE the kids, while the parents do NOTHING. That's one reason they assign so much homework. They've had to "dummy-down" the classroom to accomodate the dead weight. Plus, nowadays, they have busses pick up the kids IN TOWN! Once again, there is no responsibility by the parents. They can't expel them, because they lose too much state money. So you put them in a screw-off class where the teacher reads the paper and the kids sleep or text their friends. The whole system is a joke. The government does NOT owe your kid an education! If YOU won't instill in your kid the virtue of a good education, it should be on YOU, not the tax payers to babysit your brat. And, all this volunteerism they are asking for should come from the parents, by way of working with them at home, not by John Q Public. Grow up!


curious you know as well as I do.Its all about the Money. It ties into to having to pay a tax on your property to send someone elses child to school.(You pay for their benefit and if they dont learn or want to learn then you lost on your investment so to speak).There are alot of familys who would like to place their child in a private school but cant afford additional money on top of what they are taxed..The state knows they have a monopoly over most familys. If those who wanted to put their child in a private school were allowed to use that money to do just that. Enrollment in the Public schools would drop like a rock.. I am constantly meeting people who have pulled their kids out and started homeschooling..

IMO the TAKS is not good for the Teachers nor the students. Switch the letters around and you have TASK.. If one looks at it from that stand point.All they want to know who is can perform a specific task in ones life. And its not dummy down just the classroom.Its DumbDown society as a whole or as some call it Dumbistan.

[Caretaker]

This year will be our youngest first year and he will be taking the Reading and Math. That's why they are pushing the Accelerated Reading Program so hard. Think that is why our kiddo's attitude has changed this year with reading, it's not for pleasure anymore! If it's still the same as it was when our 20yr. old was in school next year they will be adding Writing which is going to be a doozey for us. This year they only get one shot at this test. The meeting I attended the Teachers and Administration seem to be excited and all for it. As a parent it makes me nervous to know if he has a bad day "that" day there will not be another chance to make it up. I know he knows the material just concerns me the extreme measures that are put on the faculty and kids during those two days. They are not even allowed to go to the bathroom by themselves and have to be closely monitored at lunchtime. Reason being the kids cannot discuss the test at all with peers...pretty extreme for the guys that are taking it for the very first time. The politics is just way out of control surrounding this test and there does desperately need to be changes...



Question? is your child taking the Regular TAKS or one of the other ones. Folks dont always know that the school has an Amended test and a Modifed test.. Those are for students with difficultys so they dont get left behind or fall through the cracks. And please dont think I,m saying anything bad I just wanted people to be aware that those alternatives exsist in the schools..

Also.Its to my understanding that from 1st to 3rd grade it really doesnt mean alot as far as how a child scores,with the exception being of maybe how the state funds the school later on.

[lmam88]

No, our son is not in Special Ed. or have a modified curriculum but you are right I would assume kids in those categories would have a modified test. Kinder through 2nd have a state mandated test that gauges their progress but again you are correct that it has little pull politically. The TAKS start in 3rd grade and carries a great deal of bearing in the areas that have been mentioned. It also determines promotion in most cases. The decision is ultimately left up to a special committee, principal and parents and is based on the past progress the child has made. This may no be the case in the higher grades though it's just been too long since I have had one in those schools. Kids are expected to be little mini computers these days and the teachers are expected to be the data entry operators! If the data does not take, kids, teachers and administration all pay miserably in more ways then one all because of ONE test given ONCE a year.

[lmam88]

JakRussell, has it ever been suggested that the kids be given assessment tests in 5th, 8th and 12th grades instead of this once a year crude? Isn't that the way it use to be done some years back?

[JakRussll]

For a short period of time the state (and others) tried to test students who are approaching the finish of their elementary, middle school and high school years. That, as you can imagine, was an abomination. Parents of failing students were all over the school boards wanting to know why the district waited so long to show them that their child was not prepared for the next level.

Enter the TAKS program. Now instead of parents being up in arms every few years because your tax dollars are not educating their kids, they get to do it annually.

[lmam88]

WOW, I don't know why but I am totally taken aback by just how many parents really do expect the schools to raise their kids. It is hard for me to imagine not knowing that my child is struggling in school especially for that many YEARS. I know when progress reports come out and when report cards are due out...I know when his teachers conference times are in case meetings need to be made. I just assumed MOST parents did the same...
I chaperon field trips as well and have always dismissed the lack of parent participation due to having to work. Maybe not as much now as I first thought though.
Wouldn't yearly Bench Mark Tests in between the TAKS Test serve the purpose of gauging a students progress? Are there any proposed changes coming up for the TAKS Test?

[Love78657]

I am greatly involved with my children and how they are doing in school. I to go to everything I possibly can ( have even been know to be late for work or miss work all together to be there for them) and always keep in close contact with their teachers......

Being a parent of both a special ed student and a gifted and talented student. I can say I have been down both roads when it comes to the TAKS test. I get the whole having TAKS to know where the children are. I however do not agree with all the pressure the school puts on our children to have to pass that test nor do I agree with the school using 40% of my childrens school year just to study for that test.

[lmam88]

I couldn't agree more about the pressure being put on our kids or the fact the teachers are having to teach to the TAKS! However the blame is not to be put on the schools, teachers and administration. They all have bosses too and it's called our federal and state government.
Maybe if we had enough parents willing to make the time to stand up and make their voices heard at those levels we could finally bring things back into perspective for all. Lord only knows it's way past time!

[KINGCHIP]

[QUOTE=lmam88;2884]I couldn't agree more about the pressure being put on our kids or the fact the teachers are having to teach to the TAKS! However the blame is not to be put on the schools, teachers and administration. They all have bosses too and it's called our federal and state government.QUOTE]


You're not suggesting that the feds are screwing up something they are involved in, are you?

HMMMMM

[tonigking]

Apparently they are now saying these tests are going to be discarded.

I am curious ,having heard that Texas is 43rd in academic achievement tests, as to where we would rank if they pulled the scores only on children who have a social security # ?
When teachers must slow down the process of teaching to accommodate the language barrier of previously uneducated kids in the classroom, what can be expected?

I am not suprised by the lack of incentive to study, to work hard etc., out of shear boredom and frustration.
What must our hard working kids think when they are persistently ranked at the bottom?:banghead:

[JSKR]

Have a student do a TAKS, then give them an IQ test. You may be surprised at the results.

Also, have any of you noticed your child may be an A honor student in class, get great grades on tests and do miserably on TAKS...

The teachers are forced to spend the majority of the year teaching TAKS instead of teaching students a real curriculum. Not one teacher I have ever asked actually likes TAKS or feels there is a true reading of the students abilities from TAKS.

[lmam88]

I do not belive in IQ test being given to children. The only purpose it serves is labeling that child that will follow them throughout their school years!
The Pre-Taks jitters have hit our house and it infuriates me that the higher powers that be feel they have a right to put our kids and school staff through this every year!
As for the talk of doing away with this test, I have heard this each and every year clear back when our 24yr. old was in Elementary. The Government gets our hopes up then strike down any and all changes to make the test more sensible and accurate. The only changes they make are to make it more unbearable so I would not put much faith in the hearsay.
It's a never ending vicious cycle and the kids are the ones that are on the front lines...

[JSKR]

An IQ test is great when your kid is a genius. Not a problem carrying that with them the rest of their life. What do you think a failing TAKS does to a kid?

My point was, if you give an IQ test, and compare it to a TAKS score, you will probably find in most cases even if the child scores low on a TAKS, their IQ will be higher than you expect.

[tonigking]

Well I misspoke about the "43 in Nation" on test scores. It is in fact 43 for graduations!
That seems even worse to me.

I still say if you count only those kiddos with a SS#, the scores, graduations, on both counts would be much higher !

I am sick to death of the rewards granted to illegal immigrants. It is destroying our schools, our health care and jobs in Texas.

As Bill would say, "what say you?":mad:

PS: IQ tests are very helpful in determining the education path a child should follow.

[mmorlino]

There's an answer to all of this... Private school!

[lmam88]

I've been there and done that with the IQ test and refuse to go back there.

As for the Private Schooling being an option. For those of us struggling to make ends meat it just is not an option! Homeschooling is in the plan however once we graduate from Elementary School that is the end of the road for Public Education for us!

[WhyAskWhy]

I am a teacher. I don't "teach to the TAKS". I DO teach from a curriculum, which represents what students need to know. The TAKS test is just a test to see if students are being taught what they need to learn. Otherwise, how do you keep teachers and schools accountable? I teach many things. One VERY SMALL part of what I teach is test taking strategies, which is a skill students need in school, for TAKS, for ACT and SAT, and for college. It is the reality in which we live.

Not a perfect system and some politicians, administrators, teachers and parents may put too much emphasis on the results. I hate to hear about kids being stressed. I try to teach mine to keep it in perspective. If a student suffers from true test anxiety, he or she should talk to his or her school counselor.

Public schools are not all bad. Actually, there is a lot of good going on. For the record, the students I have taught who are English Language Learners are usually some of the hardest working, most polite students I have had.

[JSKR]

WhyAskWhy, I highly respect you for your profession. That is certainly a challenging career. Thank you for being a teacher.

I might say that you may be one of only a few teachers who have ever not complained about TAKS. I have heard nothing but negative comments from teachers regarding the test, and how they wish they could just "teach" instead of worry about TAKS. They seem to stress more about TAKS than the students. My children both complained to me throughout the years about how much time was spent on TAKS preparation.

[lmam88]

I am with JSKR in taking my hat off to you and your colleagues! I do support a system of accountability however I do not think teachers should be put in jail if the test scores fall below expectations!
A test given once a year is not a good accountability system in my book.

Good luck to all the kids taking their very first practice TAKS today!

[mdarling]

I have the highest regard for most of the teachers I have met and dealt with over the years. It's a tough job. However, I do have a problem with a teacher who will tell her class that "if you don't pass the math TAKS, you will fail third grade". While that may (or may not) be true, there is no need for a teacher to put that kind of stress on a child.

[lmam88]

I agree mdarling!

[lmam88]

I sound off about this time and again...especially when those once a year surveys come out but it never seems to make a difference!
So here I go getting on my :soapbox:Again...

Not one note was sent home from the school on these Pre-TAKS tests this week. I even went to the website to look to see if it was on the calendar and it wasn't. I was under the impression that today was the first testing day and find out that it was not. I asked other parents if they received anything regarding this and nope not a one.
If it is a true partnership between school and parents that the school district is wanting it needs to work on better communication!

Ok, I'm done...

[mdarling]

I know how frustrating it is. The schools preach parent participation and interest in your child's education. Then when you try to get involved, they label you a "problem parent". Believe me, I've been there; and I'm happy to say my child is out of school (graduated).

[lmam88]

We have 3 out and one more to go! I can honestly say with the older two we did not have these issues with this district. It (lack of communication) is DEFINITELY getting worse by the year!

[lmam88]

:rant::banghead:

[WhyAskWhy]

Two things:
When a teacher complains about having "teach to the test", ask him or her what should s/he would teach if there was not a test. I'll be perfectly honest with you - if a topic or two were NOT on the TAKS test, I would probably skim over them, which in the long run would not be good for the students. Nobody like "high stakes" testing. I am just trying to shed some light on the good that does come out of testing: perhaps a more complete, in depth education.

Why would you expect a letter home about Benchmark tests? It seems to me that if a big deal was made about it then it creates the impression that it is a big deal, which is part of the problem in creating test anxiety with our kiddos. Why not let the kids show up relaxed and just let them perform to the best of their ability?

[lmam88]

Thank you for the information and you honesty regarding the testing My niece who is also a teacher feels the same way.

I am a parent that likes to be kept in the loop as to what is going on at the school. I have always been that way. I do not expect the schools to raise my child nor think of it as a mere daycare center. This has been a rough week for a lot of kids even before the Benchmark. News of their classmate has brought not only questions but sleep interruptions as well that could directly affect performance on testing. It's getting better with time for most of them but it would have been nice for parents to have been kept in the loop.

[lmam88]

Amazing what a heart to heart does for the soul! Always nice to attend functions and see extended family (school staff).

[lmam88]

I will be so glad when this wrectched TAKS is over:bravo:! Homework has not been an easy task on the days our child is at school until 5pm:banghead:! The last thing he wants to do is more school work:cry:! Totally INSANE!
Ok, I'm done ventng:rant:, carry on:).

[lmam88]

Ok, the kids stay after school for tutoring until 5pm two days a week. Fine, good and dandy I was willing to cooperate and volunteered for it to help strengthen our childs skills for this stupid TAKS. However the extra homework being piled on these kids is TOO MUCH! Get home at a little after 5, do homeowrk, eat and it's bed time...absolutey NO time for any kind of exercise time (or any outside time in general).
These kids are THIRD graders, not middle school or high school students! It is insane that extra homework is being piled on them in the very subject that they are being tutored in. Why isn't it being done within the 9hrs they are in school:banghead:???

[BandGgirls]

As a teacher who is a sub in the MFISD, I would like to see ALL of the teachers take and pass the TAKS.

[lmam88]

As a teacher who is a sub in the MFISD, I would like to see ALL of the teachers take and pass the TAKS.

You know, I do believe it would give them some firsthand insight on what the kids are going through! The homework thing has been better this week, THANK GOD! They seem to be working together more for the kids and thank you for that!
These kids are getting burned out having to be pushed so hard...it's time to get this thing over with so everyone can enjoy the rest of the year!

[lmam88]

Well, the count down has begun and the nerves are definitely hitting :~(. All this turmoil over a test that is given ONCE a year it is just insane!

[lmam88]

I have no idea what is going on but we are NOT doing homework tonight with testing starting at 8am! Every teacher I overheard this afternoon was telling their kids to do nothing, not even read to just chill relax and work out to get rid of the nerves!

Sorry...