Teachers give us the down dirty about SOL scores this year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it sounds like on average the kids rebounded from pandemic losses. I am wondering though if it's just affluent areas?

The kids who did not pass at our school all made growth from last year’s scores. There are so many variables that will play into SOL scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it sounds like on average the kids rebounded from pandemic losses. I am wondering though if it's just affluent areas?

I posted above about a MS— it is not “FCPS affluent.” But also not upper half.

[Anonymous]

Was the SOL dumb-downed? Easier questions? Shorter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:5th grade DD reports a lot of her class is retaking the science SOL about half the regular math class and a couple of advanced math are retaking and a few are retaking LA. She's usually pretty reliable

How does your DD know all that?

Because they know who is retesting and kids talk.

I bet the nosy parents know all this from the teacher they sent “gifts” to. Kids hear conversations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was the SOL dumb-downed? Easier questions? Shorter?

It's exactly the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was the SOL dumb-downed? Easier questions? Shorter?

It's exactly the same.

This. They even tell you the year the test was created when posted on SIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was the SOL dumb-downed? Easier questions? Shorter?

No, the test certainly was not dumb downed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical scores. They seem the same as any other year. Algebra 2

Very interesting that another math teacher said this. Your Algebra 2 students had Algebra 1 2 years ago when school shut down so they missed a lot of foundation. Are you in an affluent area where a lot of people hire tutors?

My son pass advanced on Algebra 2. No tutoring in algebra 1 or ever. Most of Algebra 1 was in person anyway. Kids who did the work this year are fine. Kids with parents who make excuses aren’t fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was the SOL dumb-downed? Easier questions? Shorter?

I did not see many questions, but the few I did were as convoluted and tricky as ever. This is for 4th grade math, FWIW.

[Anonymous]

MS. The students who failed this year are almost entirely the same students who failed in 3rd and 4th grade before covid. Many have numerous unexcused absences.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a principal/teachers share general results by classroom? I would think they would not for fear parents all then try to get the “better” teacher who has more kids in their class get higher scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MS. The students who failed this year are almost entirely the same students who failed in 3rd and 4th grade before covid. Many have numerous unexcused absences.

This. The amount of absences some of these kids have is mind boggling. We have many students who have missed 15-30 days of school and not all covid related. Attendance really does make a difference. I also agree that many kids who failed are kids who have failed in previous grades as well. But the data is also skewed. Many kids who fail are also ESOL. Until they revamp ESOL instruction in ES, this will continue. A lot of parents don’t know that middle/high iffers more ESOL and SPED support because it is by class.

[Anonymous]

The thing that stands out about this thread is just how much AAP is a farce and should be dismantled because the whole thing is gamed.

If half the "gifted" kids an AAP class can't pass the basic, statewide math SOL, that's a sign that maybe they are not gifted.

[Anonymous]

Can someone please explain the threshold for offering a child a retake vs. just letting them fail?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone please explain the threshold for offering a child a retake vs. just letting them fail?

They are eligible to retake if they scored at least 375. It is up to the parents if they want them to retake if it’s not a high school course. If it is a HS class, it’s likely needed for graduation and there will be a retake date. If in HS and below 375 the retake would be later in summer or fall after remediation instead of in 1-2 weeks during the expedited retake/make up window.

If it’s elementary school and below 375 there is not an option to retake but remediation will likely be offered.