Francis-Stevens Open House did anyone go

[Anonymous]

I meant to write quiet reading time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're considering just about any DCPS, then this is an assessment they use.





Some DCPS schools in upper NW are exempt from the rigid DIEBELS testing schedule imposed by DCPS.

Before you decide that this data is appropriate for comparing schools, you might want to do some research on whether this is valid, or even useful data. Schools that have large numbers of ESL students will have lower fluency rates. Would the DIEBELS scores for these schools indicate that they are inferior to schools that have fewer ESL students and higher scores?

And how much time do you want your child's teacher to be sitting in the hallway testing while the assistant teacher is in charge? Is this your view of high-quality educational opportunities?

[Anonymous]

Not all of us are lucky to live in upper NW. Glad that you do. The rest of us will have to deal or get lucky in the lottery. As for ESL, that is an issue and each of us need to decide if that's the appropriate environment for our child.

Test scores are only one factor in looking at a school. But, when you see frightening low numbers, you need to find out what's going on. Whether we like it or not, the SATs are only around the corner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're considering just about any DCPS, then this is an assessment they use.





Some DCPS schools in upper NW are exempt from the rigid DIEBELS testing schedule imposed by DCPS.

Before you decide that this data is appropriate for comparing schools, you might want to do some research on whether this is valid, or even useful data. Schools that have large numbers of ESL students will have lower fluency rates. Would the DIEBELS scores for these schools indicate that they are inferior to schools that have fewer ESL students and higher scores?

And how much time do you want your child's teacher to be sitting in the hallway testing while the assistant teacher is in charge? Is this your view of high-quality educational opportunities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not all of us are lucky to live in upper NW. Glad that you do. The rest of us will have to deal or get lucky in the lottery. As for ESL, that is an issue and each of us need to decide if that's the appropriate environment for our child.

Test scores are only one factor in looking at a school. But, when you see frightening low numbers, you need to find out what's going on. Whether we like it or not, the SATs are only around the corner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're considering just about any DCPS, then this is an assessment they use.





Some DCPS schools in upper NW are exempt from the rigid DIEBELS testing schedule imposed by DCPS.

Before you decide that this data is appropriate for comparing schools, you might want to do some research on whether this is valid, or even useful data. Schools that have large numbers of ESL students will have lower fluency rates. Would the DIEBELS scores for these schools indicate that they are inferior to schools that have fewer ESL students and higher scores?

And how much time do you want your child's teacher to be sitting in the hallway testing while the assistant teacher is in charge? Is this your view of high-quality educational opportunities?

Oh good grief. Please tell me you're not thinking the SATs are around the corner from primary learning. That's really sad.

[Anonymous]

I don't live in Upper NW. I think it's a terrible shame that our school system is forcing educators to use these dubious assessment instruments on young children, and that they are touting this data as if it is somehow valid and useful.

Please name even a single private school that implements DIEBELS testing or anything like it.

Why are you so willing to accept this educational malpractice?

[Anonymous]

If this is so bad as you say, what have you done about it? What do they use at your school? Sounds like this needs a new thread.

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in Upper NW. I think it's a terrible shame that our school system is forcing educators to use these dubious assessment instruments on young children, and that they are touting this data as if it is somehow valid and useful.

Please name even a single private school that implements DIEBELS testing or anything like it.

Why are you so willing to accept this educational malpractice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this is so bad as you say, what have you done about it? What do they use at your school? Sounds like this needs a new thread.

I'm letting you know about this now. At our building we are compelled to implement DIEBELS (up to 5th grade!) and BURST for primary grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some DCPS schools in upper NW are exempt from the rigid DIEBELS testing schedule imposed by DCPS.

Not true, actually. Four schools are exempt from DIEBELS: Banneker, Barnard, Noyes, and Key. Only 2 of those are Ward 3 elementary schools. Barnard is in Petworth, east not only of the Park, but of Georgia Ave.

[Anonymous]

Banneker is a high school. Are any secondary schools using DIEBELS?

[Anonymous]

Why the big whoop about the one-on-one testing? Young kids really LIKE the special few minutes every so often, and in most cases you have a reading specialist who is dedicated to assessing exactly how your child is learning -it may also inadvertently identify dyslexia, learning disabilities as well as higher-achieving students who may be differentiated from the group early on! So, I always felt lucky to reap the rewards that come with certain mandates. Private schools end up ringing their hands and demanding parents spend even more than the high tuition when kids need private tutors a couple of years into grade school. Besides F-S has great green space and is in a great neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I'm a parent at one of the schools that is saddled by constant testing. I really love this school and my child is thriving, but the testing schedule stinks.

Rhee has mandated that the classroom teachers must do the testing, so they can be "close to the data." This means that the children who aren't being tested are saddled with busy work while the teacher tests individual children in the hallway.

This Rhee/Kamras/McGoldrick directive hurts children and is a prime example of why individuals with only a minimal understanding of how schools work, should not be decision makers.

Yes, the constant testing is not effective, but for our special poster out there that keeps blasting this thread, my child adapts. My DC is learning so much and having so much fun, that this is one of those trade offs that we deal it.

And there is a bonus to all this, my DC's college fund is ready to go, since I'm not paying an independent $28k a year.