Explain as a parent why I should care about SOLs?

[Anonymous]

OP had a valid point. As a parent, SOLs are meaningless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP had a valid point. As a parent, SOLs are meaningless.

I understand.
As a teacher, I know that we are transitioning to an evaluation system in which 40% of our evaluation will be based upon student progress. While I don't agree with the new system, SOL scores will be used as a measure. As long as that is in place, I hope there won't be many parents who convey this to their students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP had a valid point. As a parent, SOLs are meaningless.

It depends on which grade. If you want your child to be placed in a higher math class in Middle School, you wil care which math SOL your child takes and what score your child receives in 6th grade. If you want your child to gradute from HS, then you will care about the 8th grade SOLs and some of the HS SOLS. If you want your child to get used to the testing process and format of the SOLs prior to these grades, then they may have meaning for you as a parent.

[Anonymous]

Could the child take GED as an alternative to graduate?

[Anonymous]

40% is too much for a teacher evaluation for sure, but I don't get all the hype over why this test is so meaningless. Didn't you all take yearly tests in public school growing up? People do check the stats to see how many children pass at a high rate verses just passing and how many didn't pass when considering schools. It makes a difference and the tests are getting more thoughtful for everyone so they're not such a "waste of time" anymore/just fill in the bubble. I am against a lot of prep though hence the need to make them closer to 25% of a teacher evaluation verses 40%.

[Anonymous]

I think there are other benefits to a school doing well on these tests too, right? Any additional compensation that the school gets? Do teachers get paid more if students do well (and in return keep teachers there longer?). I would be interested in answers to the benefits of a school doing well on the SOL's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just told my 4th Grader I care only about the grades she gets from her teachers and not to worry about the SOLs.

I hate "No Child Left Behind" and "Teaching the test." And while I realize good scores are good for our school, is there any reason whatsoever that I should worry about what dd actually scores on her SOLs?

I have a good mind to keep her out on test days and take her to a museum or the movies or something.

What am I missing?

I am kind of agreed with you that SOLs are just making teachers and schools look good. However, If your kid wants to go to TJ or AOS, your kid needs a teacher recommendation. If your kid got 300 in his or her SOLs in Math or Science, do you think their Math and Science teachers will write him or her a good recommendation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rarely is the question asked: Is our posters learning?

ARE our posters learning?

Wow, just, wow. I wasn't even trolling, and yet, voila. These waters are well-stocked with grammar police. CHECK YOU BUSHISM!!!

Thanks "ARE" person. You made me day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just told my 4th Grader I care only about the grades she gets from her teachers and not to worry about the SOLs.

I hate "No Child Left Behind" and "Teaching the test." And while I realize good scores are good for our school, is there any reason whatsoever that I should worry about what dd actually scores on her SOLs?

I have a good mind to keep her out on test days and take her to a museum or the movies or something.

What am I missing?

I am kind of agreed with you that SOLs are just making teachers and schools look good. However, If your kid wants to go to TJ or AOS, your kid needs a teacher recommendation. If your kid got 300 in his or her SOLs in Math or Science, do you think their Math and Science teachers will write him or her a good recommendation?

Do the teachers know what each individual student got on the SOL?

[Anonymous]

Yes, teachers get reports on how their students do and reports on how their students did last year.

This way we can identify the kids who need extra help early in the school year.

In VA, our evaluations are tied to student data but there's no money to give out bonuses or tie them to raises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

In VA, our evaluations are tied to student data but there's no money to give out bonuses or tie them to raises.

Let's hope they don't go that route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just told my 4th Grader I care only about the grades she gets from her teachers and not to worry about the SOLs.

I hate "No Child Left Behind" and "Teaching the test." And while I realize good scores are good for our school, is there any reason whatsoever that I should worry about what dd actually scores on her SOLs?

I have a good mind to keep her out on test days and take her to a museum or the movies or something.

What am I missing?

I am kind of agreed with you that SOLs are just making teachers and schools look good. However, If your kid wants to go to TJ or AOS, your kid needs a teacher recommendation. If your kid got 300 in his or her SOLs in Math or Science, do you think their Math and Science teachers will write him or her a good recommendation?

God forbid your child ever put out effort to make anyone ELSE look good...I guess if they don't directly, 100% impact only your child, you might as well skip 'em.

It's a few days of the entire school year, people! The benefits to your teacher and school might be somewhat greater than the benefits to your child, but really, does that warrant pulling him out of school in protest?

[Anonymous]

All teachers have access to the students' pass test score. I can bring up ALL the SOL scores for a student from elementary school to middle school.

If your student doesn't do well on the SOL, they will be put into a remediation program. 8th grade SOL scores will determine which Math class they take as a freshman in high school. 5th grade Math SOL scores can determine if your child is put into the advance Math class in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go, Virginia, go! The brainwashing is disgusting. Do they give out tobacco bubble gum too?

We are definitely traveling a lot during 4th grade for our own learning adventures.

Might I recommend Jamestown, Yorktown, Monticello, Montepelier, Mount Vernon, Manassas/Bull Run or Chancellorsville, and Williamsburg as excellent historical sites to visit. Oh wait, you wouldn't want to brainwash your children into thinking anything interesting happened in Virginia.

As far as tobacco goes, the story of tobacco in Virginia is fascinating. How can your kids learn about and understand the roots of slavery in America and the history of black Americans without learning about tobacco?

And for the pp who said that most of the civil rights action was further South, you are clearly not familiar with the long and turbulent battle for integration in Virginia schools. It was ugly. And ever hear of Loving v. Virginia?

[Anonymous]

You posters are such children. As soon as someone says something you don't like you tattle to Jeff. I don't think people should use f words or other words but where does it end? Snowflake?