So what happens if my child doesn’t meet the kindergarten benchmark?
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Anonymous
| Just received my son’s MAP-P fall score and it’s 15 points below the kindergarten end of year benchmark. I am extremely surprised because my son always scored very well on tests in preschool and now I’m worried. Is it common for students to go up that much throughout the year? |
Anonymous
| It's October. |
Anonymous
| Ummm. It is the beginning of the year. Simmer down |
Anonymous
|
Check the charts here for math: https://www.nwea.org/content/uploads/2015/06/2015-MAP-Normative-Data-AUG15.pdf
You'll see the fall, winter, and spring benchmarks. For kindergarten, there's a 19-point difference between fall and spring, so it sounds like your child is fine. |
Anonymous
| Stop worrying. Just read with your kid every night and get him some math games. |
Anonymous
Thank you. This is very helpful. |
Anonymous
| What tests was your kid taking in preschool? |
Anonymous
| They don't really care about that. Schools mostly care about the reading level for K. If your child can't meet the reading benchmark by the end of the year they may suggest additional testing or holding back. I have been surprised how many kids are held back at some schools. |
Anonymous
| K teacher here. The test is more of a test of computer skills and following directions than a math test. With more practice on the computer I think your child will improve their score. |
Anonymous
Seriously, that’s nuts. |
Anonymous
Op here. Ok “test” was not really what I meant. They had like scales that they used for certain skills. And maybe also something called the Bailey? I don’t quite remember the name. |
Anonymous
| My kid struggled with standardized tests until about 2nd grade. If your kid is smart; don’t put too much stock in them at this age. |
Anonymous
So, it's the beginning of the year, and your son is behind the end-of-the-year benchmark. And you are worried about this? You are nuts. Do you really think that kids don't learn anything in kindergarten? Of course they go up! |
Anonymous
| It is so easy to worry over so many things when it comes to our kids. Every mom does. But as a Kindergarten teacher and a mom myself, I want to tell you NOT to worry about this at all. Kindergarten is designed to be a year of making progress. Each child comes in with a different starting point and the goal is continual progress toward that year-end standard. I also want to agree with what others have mentioned, that "test taking" is a learned skill and that is part of Kindergarten as well. As kids learn to master the mechanics of test taking, their scores automatically increase. I bet your Kindergarten teacher would be happy to meet with you anytime you have a concern about your son's progress. Most teachers are happy to hear from parents that want to support their child's learning. Hope this helps! |
Anonymous
| My kid didn't make benchmark at the end of the year -- and they still moved her ahead a grade. |