SOL Retesting

[Anonymous]

I'm the parent of a 3rd grader (oldest child) and new to the whole SOL process. I got a form from the school asking whether or not my child should be given the opportunity to retake a test if she does poorly on it. The form clearly states that the test has no impact on her grades/report card, advancement etc.

So, I have to ask, what is the point of retaking the test? DD is doing great in school so the chance of her failing is slim, but should I allow her to be retested if necessary? What are the pros?

[Anonymous]

If she fails and retakes it with a pass, it raises the school’s overall pass rate. That’s the only pro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she fails and retakes it with a pass, it raises the school’s overall pass rate. That’s the only pro.

Thanks for confirming what I thought was the case! So do most parents elect for their kids to retest if necessary? I certainly want to support my school, but also think SOLs are blown way out of proportion. I'm also conflicted about my comfort level subjecting my child to extra testing that really has no bearing on her future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she fails and retakes it with a pass, it raises the school’s overall pass rate. That’s the only pro.

Thanks for confirming what I thought was the case! So do most parents elect for their kids to retest if necessary? I certainly want to support my school, but also think SOLs are blown way out of proportion. I'm also conflicted about my comfort level subjecting my child to extra testing that really has no bearing on her future.

You know your kid best. Personally I wouldn’t subject any 3rd grader to any additional testing. You are free to sign off on it and then change your mind. Just let the assistant principal know. S/he is the school test coordinator.

[Anonymous]

They only consider re-take if your kid almost passed. There is a number range. It helps the school rankings to have more passes. If your kid got below the re-take range they won't bother you and it probably means there was a glitch in teaching or in learning or your kid is just not a good test taker or your kid has spring fever !

[Anonymous]

no point of her retaking it. MY DD is a 4th grader with ADHD and she not retaking if she fails

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They only consider re-take if your kid almost passed. There is a number range. It helps the school rankings to have more passes. If your kid got below the re-take range they won't bother you and it probably means there was a glitch in teaching or in learning or your kid is just not a good test taker or your kid has spring fever !

IDC My 10 year old has ADHD she is not retaking them if she gets a 399 idc.

[Anonymous]

There is no reason to retake a test and make your child go through that. I have have always signed that my children will not retake regardless. I also do not make a big deal out of SOLs nor do I show them their scores. It doesn’t matter if they are pass advanced. SOLs do not matter until high school.

[Anonymous]

You can also opt out entirely. SOLs aren't mandatory.

[Anonymous]

For the first time, we have decided we would like to opt out.
When I informed the school they said I would have to sign a form stating my child would receive a 0 and this would be part of my child’s permanent record. Is this standard procedure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the first time, we have decided we would like to opt out.
When I informed the school they said I would have to sign a form stating my child would receive a 0 and this would be part of my child’s permanent record. Is this standard procedure?

Yes. But unless you are interested in gifted services or math placement for middle school, why would you care?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can also opt out entirely. SOLs aren't mandatory.

So true, but schools don’t want parents to know that.

[Anonymous]

There are advantages and disadvantages about retakes. Some kids should pass based on their overall skills but don't for a variety of reasons (anxiety, distracted or upset the day of the test,not knowing or applying test-taking skills, ADHD related issues, gaps in learning due to extended absences, etc.). I've seen some students increase their scores by almost 100 points while for others there is barely a difference in the retake score. The huge score increases usually come in the case of a strong student who should have passed but didn't for some unknown reason. In most cases of suspected anxiety, I thinks it's best to opt out of retakes.--Why put the poor kid through all that again? If there are some learning gaps due to moves or absences, the retake will guarantee targeted reteaching of those skills. That can be a great opportunity for the child to get extra small group support. The support usually comes from someone in addition to the classroom teacher (reading specialist, math coach...), which can provide a different approach to the material. Obviously, a higher pass rate affects the school and teacher more than it does the individual child. However, if your child would benefit from extra small group reteaching and support at the end of the year, the retake is a great way to guarantee that he or she will receive priority support.

[Anonymous]

I never understand why parents would want to opt out. Why wouldn't you want your child to get experience on a standardized test? They are so prevalent in later school years and are an important (but not the only) factor in college applications. Furthermore, even adults take a lot of standardized tests for graduate schools, certifications, licenses, etc.

It seems to me that by opting out, a parent gives the test too much "power" and it becomes a fearsome thing rather than just another day at school. I would much rather have my student take a standardized test, to be one and done, and receive a score than to have my student do one of those absurd "mastery performance" projects that are so subject to rater bias by a teacher or series of teachers.

I didn't realize about the 0 but I think this is a wise choice by the schools. There should be a consequence for opting out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can also opt out entirely. SOLs aren't mandatory.

Yeah, but then you would just be one of “those” parents everyone rolls their eyes at. There’s nothing wrong with testing per se. It’s the way some schools teach the test or obsess about prep that is problematic.