Beauvoir 2nd Grade ERB Results

[Anonymous]

Note on sharing the individual class scores.
In some small schools, especially schools with multi age grouping or schools that have less than 30 or so kids per grade level, it becomes too easy to start matching up scores with kids. Even the speculation can hurt kids. I haven't seen how the break down of the grade level info is presented (my child will take ERBS this spring for the first time)but I would certainly be interested in knowing the class averages, as well as the independent school average.

[Anonymous]

ERBs are intended to provide parents some good data on whether the teaching and curriculum at their private school is keeping their child high on the curve compared to other good privates. ]Presumably, because such testing is wise but voluntary, there will be far less pressure to "teach solely to the test" and it is also helpful for students to have some exposure to such testing before the PSAT and SAT roll around.

But I get your point and it is not without merit.

I standardized ERB scores are indeed below expectations for Beauvoir Grade 2, as reported, what would the administration have in mind to get Beauvoir 3 to 99%, as reported?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

ERBs are intended to provide parents some good data on whether the teaching and curriculum at their private school is keeping their child high on the curve compared to other good privates. ]Presumably, because such testing is wise but voluntary, there will be far less pressure to "teach solely to the test" and it is also helpful for students to have some exposure to such testing before the PSAT and SAT roll around.

But I get your point and it is not without merit.

I standardized ERB scores are indeed below expectations for Beauvoir Grade 2, as reported, what would the administration have in mind to get Beauvoir 3 to 99%, as reported?

Not sure I understand your post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

ERBs are intended to provide parents some good data on whether the teaching and curriculum at their private school is keeping their child high on the curve compared to other good privates. ]Presumably, because such testing is wise but voluntary, there will be far less pressure to "teach solely to the test" and it is also helpful for students to have some exposure to such testing before the PSAT and SAT roll around.

But I get your point and it is not without merit.

I standardized ERB scores are indeed below expectations for Beauvoir Grade 2, as reported, what would the administration have in mind to get Beauvoir 3 to 99%, as reported?

Unless someone has official word from a reliable source (not anecdotal data) I don't know that it's helpful to speculate and rumor-monger (rumor that Nov 2nd grade ERBs are below expectations, what would the administration do in such a hypothetical rumor situation). The culture at Beauvoir, from what I've experienced, is that parents don't brag about how gifted their kids are, or about their scores (high or low), etc. We chose Beauvoir for (in no specific order) the emphasis on young elementary, and the avoidance of teaching to the test that allows for a rich art, music, and social curriculum (life rules). The ERBs are an interesting benchmark that shows my child is on par with others in similar circumstances (suburban/urban/independent) on some bare bones measures (I think it was fewer than 50 questions!), but I don't think it's healthy to fixate on the ERB scores--a standardized test score for a 7 year old has virtually no predictive value of long term happiness in adulthood.

The individual data just came out last weekend (January 9-10 range), and the teachers have a training day this coming week. Based on what I have seen of how the school is run, I would imagine Paula et al spending time assessing the aggregate data and that some element of ERB results at a class/grade level will come up in the teacher training day so teachers are prepped to discuss. Those who are current Beauvoir parents know that there is an upcoming dedicated ERB discussion for 2nd grade parents--Paula et al there in open forum to answer questions--next week. I would save up your questions for that group time with Paula, or try to get time with your child's teacher for a 1:1.

[Anonymous]

but I don't think it's healthy to fixate on the ERB scores--a standardized test score for a 7 year old has virtually no predictive value of long term happiness in adulthood.

Apart from being very impolite, the above statement ignores the fact that while we as Beauvoir parents really do value their emphasis on early childhood development and social awareness, we are after all paying for an education as well - and a jolly good one at that. If we were all to weight all that we are paying for, I think a sound education would be weighted quite highly among other things. With fees and other donations we pay Beauvoir upwards of $30k every year per child so you bet I will "fixate" on an aspect that we are paying for if I was in doubt as to whether the school was doing its best to meet my children's needs in that area.
A discussion board is for discussing and indeed speculating if one wishes to do so.

[Anonymous]

Unless someone has official word from a reliable source (not anecdotal data) I don't know that it's helpful to speculate and rumor-monger (rumor that Nov 2nd grade ERBs are below expectations, what would the administration do in such a hypothetical rumor situation). The culture at Beauvoir, from what I've experienced, is that parents don't brag about how gifted their kids are, or about their scores (high or low), etc. We chose Beauvoir for (in no specific order) the emphasis on young elementary, and the avoidance of teaching to the test that allows for a rich art, music, and social curriculum (life rules). The ERBs are an interesting benchmark that shows my child is on par with others in similar circumstances (suburban/urban/independent) on some bare bones measures (I think it was fewer than 50 questions!), but I don't think it's healthy to fixate on the ERB scores--a standardized test score for a 7 year old has virtually no predictive value of long term happiness in adulthood.

The individual data just came out last weekend (January 9-10 range), and the teachers have a training day this coming week. Based on what I have seen of how the school is run, I would imagine Paula et al spending time assessing the aggregate data and that some element of ERB results at a class/grade level will come up in the teacher training day so teachers are prepped to discuss. Those who are current Beauvoir parents know that there is an upcoming dedicated ERB discussion for 2nd grade parents--Paula et al there in open forum to answer questions--next week. I would save up your questions for that group time with Paula, or try to get time with your child's teacher for a 1:1.

So Beauvoir parents don't brag about their kids' scores once admitted; however, it is bragging season before admission -- "my kid scored 99.9 percentile on WPSSI without preparation".

Does this sound familiar to you?

[Anonymous]

True, a discussion board is for speculating. But the PP has a valid point. My kids are older now. In my limited experience 2nd grade ERBs are not very useful in accurately gauging long-term performance. Clearly, they may alert you to a major problem if your child has very low scores across the board, but the individual scales they use have so few questions that it doesn't take much distraction or sloppiness to create the impression of underperformance.

By all means monitor how well the school is teaching your children, but if you are really concerned get an independent experienced math teacher to spend a session with you child and evaluate progress. I would not rely on a standardized test whose purpose should be to compare the mean performance of large groups of students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

but I don't think it's healthy to fixate on the ERB scores--a standardized test score for a 7 year old has virtually no predictive value of long term happiness in adulthood.

Apart from being very impolite, the above statement ignores the fact that while we as Beauvoir parents really do value their emphasis on early childhood development and social awareness, we are after all paying for an education as well - and a jolly good one at that. If we were all to weight all that we are paying for, I think a sound education would be weighted quite highly among other things. With fees and other donations we pay Beauvoir upwards of $30k every year per child so you bet I will "fixate" on an aspect that we are paying for if I was in doubt as to whether the school was doing its best to meet my children's needs in that area.
A discussion board is for discussing and indeed speculating if one wishes to do so.

9:27 again. I certainly didn't mean to be impolite, and am sorry that my comments came across that way. I also understand about paying tuition and fees (I have 3 DCs)--it's extremely expensive and when I look at my bank account I do ask myself whether I can quantify or justify what I'm spending on tuition versus other ways our family could benefit from those dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

but I don't think it's healthy to fixate on the ERB scores--a standardized test score for a 7 year old has virtually no predictive value of long term happiness in adulthood.

Apart from being very impolite, the above statement ignores the fact that while we as Beauvoir parents really do value their emphasis on early childhood development and social awareness, we are after all paying for an education as well - and a jolly good one at that. If we were all to weight all that we are paying for, I think a sound education would be weighted quite highly among other things. With fees and other donations we pay Beauvoir upwards of $30k every year per child so you bet I will "fixate" on an aspect that we are paying for if I was in doubt as to whether the school was doing its best to meet my children's needs in that area.
A discussion board is for discussing and indeed speculating if one wishes to do so.

9:27 again--I clicked submit too soon. You're well within your rights to fixate on whatever you'd like to fixate on. I personally choose not to get into a lather about standardized test scores for a 7 year old, but as I said, I chose the private school route in large part to avoid a curriculum that teaches to the test to the exclusion (due to limits on resources and school hours) of a richer and broader curriculum.

So...what was the point of your post? If you want a forum to ask questions of the teachers, Paula, et al (people you've essentially entrusted your child's education to, so presumably you trust they'll answer honestly), go to the ERB session next week, and/or get appointments with one of the parties. If your post was designed to seek anecdotal evidence of a pattern or wave of underperformance that would impugn the teachers/administrators, I'll play along and contribute to your data collection (though my data is unlikely to support your hypothesis): My DC scored in the top stanines for 2 areas and in the 8th stanine for another area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

but I don't think it's healthy to fixate on the ERB scores--a standardized test score for a 7 year old has virtually no predictive value of long term happiness in adulthood.

Apart from being very impolite, the above statement ignores the fact that while we as Beauvoir parents really do value their emphasis on early childhood development and social awareness, we are after all paying for an education as well - and a jolly good one at that. If we were all to weight all that we are paying for, I think a sound education would be weighted quite highly among other things. With fees and other donations we pay Beauvoir upwards of $30k every year per child so you bet I will "fixate" on an aspect that we are paying for if I was in doubt as to whether the school was doing its best to meet my children's needs in that area.
A discussion board is for discussing and indeed speculating if one wishes to do so.

9:27 again--I clicked submit too soon. You're well within your rights to fixate on whatever you'd like to fixate on. I personally choose not to get into a lather about standardized test scores for a 7 year old, but as I said, I chose the private school route in large part to avoid a curriculum that teaches to the test to the exclusion (due to limits on resources and school hours) of a richer and broader curriculum.

So...what was the point of your post? If you want a forum to ask questions of the teachers, Paula, et al (people you've essentially entrusted your child's education to, so presumably you trust they'll answer honestly), go to the ERB session next week, and/or get appointments with one of the parties. If your post was designed to seek anecdotal evidence of a pattern or wave of underperformance that would impugn the teachers/administrators, I'll play along and contribute to your data collection (though my data is unlikely to support your hypothesis): My DC scored in the top stanines for 2 areas and in the 8th stanine for another area.

Paula et al, really, are not God. PP continue to question the curriculum, but be careful. Paula et al has the power to give your child an unfavorable recommendation during the 3rd grade admissions process.

[Anonymous]

In some cases, with the ERBs there's no 99% to be had wrt the Independent Schools data. DC has had 100% correct answers in a section (the printout we got from our school -- not Beauvoir -- included this info) and, if I remember correctly, that translated to low-90s or even high 80s in certain categories. Makes sense when some sections have maybe 10 questions -- if 12% of the independent school kids taking the test get them all right, they'd all be in the 88th percentile, wouldn't they?

[Anonymous]

Paula et al, really, are not God. PP continue to question the curriculum, but be careful. Paula et al has the power to give your child an unfavorable recommendation during the 3rd grade admissions process.

Sounds like who you know trumps what you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Paula et al, really, are not God. PP continue to question the curriculum, but be careful. Paula et al has the power to give your child an unfavorable recommendation during the 3rd grade admissions process.

Sounds like who you know trumps what you know.

Yup!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Paula et al, really, are not God. PP continue to question the curriculum, but be careful. Paula et al has the power to give your child an unfavorable recommendation during the 3rd grade admissions process.

Sounds like who you know trumps what you know.

Yup!

Nope!

You folks are living in a weird fantasy land. The administrators are certainly not God, but they are reasonable professionals who take pride in running a great school. They routinely address parents' concerns. At least that has been our experience, and we certainly are not connected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Paula et al, really, are not God. PP continue to question the curriculum, but be careful. Paula et al has the power to give your child an unfavorable recommendation during the 3rd grade admissions process.

Sounds like who you know trumps what you know.

Yup!

Nope!

You folks are living in a weird fantasy land. The administrators are certainly not God, but they are reasonable professionals who take pride in running a great school. They routinely address parents' concerns. At least that has been our experience, and we certainly are not connected.

Nope, not living in a weird fantasy land at all. And certainly would not totally entrust Paula et al to any aspect of my child's well being post Eric Toth.