Tougher Testing, Lower Pass Rates in Albemarle - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and ...

This is so poorly written it boggles the mind. It appears to say that the new tests were first given in 2011, but upon re-reading, it seems that only a group of students took the revised tests then.

Is the reporter saying that Albemarle is disproportionately affected by lower scores on the revised math SOL, and if so, how would we know so soon if this is the first year students are taking it?

If students in Albemarle County did take the tests last year (why else would be have reported scores?), why does the story indicate there are "new fears?"

Looks like NBC29 needs an SOL test.

Those rates are from the Fall of 2011. Some middle school and high school classes are year-round and some are semester depending on the class and the school. For example, Murray High School tests students in the Fall and Spring while Western Albemarle only tests students in the spring since all math classes are year-round.

The problem for me is that the new math SOL standards do not "test" understanding of mathematics but instead "test" reading and technology. They also randomly throw in college-level statistics equations which are difficult for 9th graders to truly grasp and apply and interpret. Hopefully, teachers will stop teaching to the test and the test will cease to exist. For now, we can test our students' abilities to take a test. Hopefully, by the time they are adults in the real-world their jobs will all involve taking tests.

Albemarle Country is atypical compared to most other cities and counties in Virginia. We should therefore not be comparing ourselves to other teachers and other counties. Let's have our own high expectations. If you look at Albemarle County's past results, we are above the state average in most, if not all, subjects.

its sad that they kids goin to school and have to pass a test to get there diplomas we going to see alot of bad changes in this kids.

felicia wrote:

its sad that they kids goin to school and have to pass a test to get there diplomas we going to see alot of bad changes in this kids.

What teacher is saying, I believe; is that due to standardized testing and financial coercion, teachers are being encouraged to teach the test instead of teaching the processes and critical thinking skills.

I can see kids dropping out of school & getting a GED.

National math test scores continue to be disappointing. This poor trend persists in spite of new texts, standardized tests with attached implied threats, or laptops in the class. At some point, maybe we should admit that math, as it is taught currently and in the recent past, seems irrelevant to a large percentage of grade school kids.

Why blame a sixth grade student or teacher trapped by meaningless lessons? Teachers are frustrated. Students check out.

The missing element is reality. Instead of insisting that students learn another sixteen formulae, we need to involve them in tangible life projects. And the task must be interesting.

Project-oriented math engages kids. It is fun. They have a reason to learn the math they may have ignored in the standard lecture format of a class room.

Alan Cook
info@thenumberyard.com
www.thenumberyard.com
http://mathconstructioneducationindustry.blog...

Reading, writing and arithmetic! It's that simple!

When communities have to beg for money to teach children what can you expect? Thank goodness I went to school where I did. No expence was spared and only the best teachers needed to apply. It paid off for us students. Interesting that this school I attended is located in Skokie Ill.

i vote publican ebry year an dey stil gibbin gubment moenys fa educahun! dey shud be usin dees taxpayur moenys on makin mor guns and stopin bortions!

Is teaching to the test catching up with the system?

Well well wrote:

Is teaching to the test catching up with the system?

Da system be brook, compliments of the teachers uion.

Anytime you have to teach a test instead of teaching students, there is going to be a disaster!!!!

old teacher wrote:

Anytime you have to teach a test instead of teaching students, there is going to be a disaster!!!!

Unions have lost their worth, just ask any mailman, now the kids are gonna pay. Parents will now have to take up classes in their homes to teach what schools should be doing.

yepper wrote:

<quoted text>Unions have lost their worth, just ask any mailman, now the kids are gonna pay. Parents will now have to take up classes in their homes to teach what schools should be doing.

I've said this repeatedly on this forum and others: THERE ARE NOT TEACHER UNIONS IN VIRGINIA. It is a right to work state. I guess others and I will have to keep repeating it until the word is out.

OOPS..I meant NO TEACHER UNIONS IN VIRGINIA....

Teacher wrote:

Those rates are from the Fall of 2011. Some middle school and high school classes are year-round and some are semester depending on the class and the school. For example, Murray High School tests students in the Fall and Spring while Western Albemarle only tests students in the spring since all math classes are year-round.
The problem for me is that the new math SOL standards do not "test" understanding of mathematics but instead "test" reading and technology. They also randomly throw in college-level statistics equations which are difficult for 9th graders to truly grasp and apply and interpret. Hopefully, teachers will stop teaching to the test and the test will cease to exist. For now, we can test our students' abilities to take a test. Hopefully, by the time they are adults in the real-world their jobs will all involve taking tests.
Albemarle Country is atypical compared to most other cities and counties in Virginia. We should therefore not be comparing ourselves to other teachers and other counties. Let's have our own high expectations. If you look at Albemarle County's past results, we are above the state average in most, if not all, subjects.

You better "teach to the test" since the test is going to be here for a long time---long enough for the students NOT to get into the colleges they aspire to.

I have served in South Korea and Japan and I am here to tell all of you that American students tend to be at least several years behind their Asian counterparts! This is why Asians DOMINATE the math and science scholarships in our universities. If you don't believe me just talk to UVA administrators. Folks this nation is in real trouble and we need to admit to the facts instead of making the usual politically correct rationalizations.

Not only are they having to take SOLS They are always dealing with classroom teste and final exams.Seems like all they do in school anymore is test the students what ever happen to teaching and learning.There are 2 weeks of school left and there is so much testing going on.Someone needs to look at this and try to change it

It's hard for children to get their basics when they are thrown into kindergarden too early or admin/parents won't hold a child back and repeat kindergarten over. The maturity just isn't there. Instead they are moved along because their self-esteem may be hurt.

ProudToBeAmerican wrote:

i vote publican ebry year an dey stil gibbin gubment moenys fa educahun! dey shud be usin dees taxpayur moenys on makin mor guns and stopin bortions!

Hi "heh"...