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DCPS standardized test scores
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Anonymous
| Anyone know when these are going to be released? Has Michelle Rhee succeeded in improving the DCPS reputation? Or has her drill & kill in the hallways merely succeeded in teaching another class of DC children that DCPS is bad, boring and unworthy of them? |
Anonymous
Probably a little bit of both. |
Anonymous
| I believe mid-summer. Keep checking the DCPS web-page--they will be posted there. I side with bad, boring and unworthy.... she squandered so much capital. It's amazing to me. |
Anonymous
|
Last year they were released July 11th or so.
In an extra classy touch, OSSE had them posted on their website before the principals had the scores. There are some good things going on in certain schools in DCPS. Sadly, the DC-CAS isn't a great measure. The kill and drill was stifling this year and the pressure the teachers and the administrators felt to "teach the test" was crushing. It will be interesting to see what happens with the scores this year. Another fun fact, there is a very limited pool of questions for the DC-CAS. So when you see those huge jumps at schools that seem very questionable, it is possible that teachers or administrators have old copies of the test and are using them as review. In short, Rhee has created a system where it is in your best interest to cheat, assuming you want to keep your job. |
Anonymous
|
"Another fun fact, there is a very limited pool of questions for the DC-CAS. So when you see those huge jumps at schools that seem very questionable, it is possible that teachers or administrators have old copies of the test and are using them as review. "
Before you totally write off jumps as questionable, I would like to share a story. My SIL is a teacher in Virginia. This past academic year, she was moved from 3rd to 4th grade (so she had many students 2 years in a row). At her school, the previous year the 4th grade class scored 78% for math SOL. They just got the raw results for this year and this year the numbers jumped to 94%. Things that contributed to this jump, having the same children 2 years in a row so that the teacher understood the children's learning strengths and weaknesses (limited ramp up time at the beginning of the year). A focus on how they were teaching math to ensure an increase in scores. The school found an outside software company that had online games geared towards the SOL test. Children were encouraged to use this (and rewarded) - and the teachers used the results to focus on areas that children were having difficulty with. So - if there is a big jump - it may be because the teachers worked hard to teach to the test. [note: I am not saying that teaching to the test is good / or bad] |
Anonymous
| I am very anti-testing, it is possible for me to opt out of my DD participating in these tests? What are our legal rights if any? |
Anonymous
|
The DC-CAS is a secure test. Every test is accounted for and must be returned. Anyone handling tests this year were asked to sign a security form saying that they would not photocopy or even discuss questions. A test monitor was assigned to each school to make sure the tests were kept secure. So please, if scores do go up, don't assume it is because teachers are cheating.
To answer PP's question, your child does not have to take any standardized test. As a parent, it is your right to opt out. BUT, according to NCLB, at least 95% of the testing cohort must participate. If your school does not have 95% testing, they will not make Adequate Yearly Progress, which could result in restructuring. |
Anonymous
| Also I don't think you can opt out of the teaching to the test. You kid might be able to go somewhere and read a book while the rest of the class is actually taking the test. But the hours and hours of test prep -- well I'm not sure you can escape that. |