Character Skills Snapshot

[Anonymous]

My DC took the ISEE but Maret recommends students take the CSS on the SSAT as well. He did this, even though we thought it was a bit ridiculous. Just got the profile back. 2 areas are in the top bracket and the rest in the middle. Is this typical? Still think this is a bit ridiculous. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC took the ISEE but Maret recommends students take the CSS on the SSAT as well. He did this, even though we thought it was a bit ridiculous. Just got the profile back. 2 areas are in the top bracket and the rest in the middle. Is this typical? Still think this is a bit ridiculous. Thoughts?

I have no idea what the expectations are for 8th graders. My DC had no skills in the top bracket (75% and higher) and many in the lowest (below 25%). I was surprised with these results.

[Anonymous]

Our son had the bottom 25%in one section and the rest in the middle. this was surprising as he is relatively social, gets along well, gets good grades. .. We expected much higher scores and are worried that this will hold him back from getting into schools. He has straight A's and an 85% on ssat. coming from public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son had the bottom 25%in one section and the rest in the middle. this was surprising as he is relatively social, gets along well, gets good grades. .. We expected much higher scores and are worried that this will hold him back from getting into schools. He has straight A's and an 85% on ssat. coming from public.

Ever heard of grade inflation?

[Anonymous]

I know Maret, NCS and many boarding schools are requiring this test. Any other local schools using this test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our son had the bottom 25%in one section and the rest in the middle. this was surprising as he is relatively social, gets along well, gets good grades. .. We expected much higher scores and are worried that this will hold him back from getting into schools. He has straight A's and an 85% on ssat. coming from public.

Ever heard of grade inflation?

It is testing character skills, not academic skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our son had the bottom 25%in one section and the rest in the middle. this was surprising as he is relatively social, gets along well, gets good grades. .. We expected much higher scores and are worried that this will hold him back from getting into schools. He has straight A's and an 85% on ssat. coming from public.

Ever heard of grade inflation?

Grades are irrelevant. The test measures 7 skills: intellectual engagement, teamwork, initiative, resilience, self control, open-mindedness, and social awareness.

[Anonymous]

"Being social" is not the same thing as having character skills. Many "popular" kids could be expected to fail the character skills assessment, while shy, quiet kids who are not popular or social, but show good character could be in the top percentile.

[Anonymous]

OP: My big issue with this is that I don't see being able to measure the skills that are supposedly being measured with a multiple choice test. I looked at the sample questions and it is fairly clear what you should pick for which quality. There was almost always a "bad" answer. I think it's just a way for the test companies to make more $.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: My big issue with this is that I don't see being able to measure the skills that are supposedly being measured with a multiple choice test. I looked at the sample questions and it is fairly clear what you should pick for which quality. There was almost always a "bad" answer. I think it's just a way for the test companies to make more $.

It sure seems to be rewarding the Eddie Haskills of the world, rather than any reasonable way to assess a child's character. Additionally, you would think most private schools would pride themselves on developing a child's character, not trying to get the perfect kids to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: My big issue with this is that I don't see being able to measure the skills that are supposedly being measured with a multiple choice test. I looked at the sample questions and it is fairly clear what you should pick for which quality. There was almost always a "bad" answer. I think it's just a way for the test companies to make more $.

I think it is ridiculous there is a multiple choice test for "character". Seriously? The only thing it tests is whether kids can pick the answer adults want to hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: My big issue with this is that I don't see being able to measure the skills that are supposedly being measured with a multiple choice test. I looked at the sample questions and it is fairly clear what you should pick for which quality. There was almost always a "bad" answer. I think it's just a way for the test companies to make more $.

If that were the case, then you'd think all kids would pick the same answer. And yet you are upset with the result.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: My big issue with this is that I don't see being able to measure the skills that are supposedly being measured with a multiple choice test. I looked at the sample questions and it is fairly clear what you should pick for which quality. There was almost always a "bad" answer. I think it's just a way for the test companies to make more $.

I think it is ridiculous there is a multiple choice test for "character". Seriously? The only thing it tests is whether kids can pick the answer adults want to hear.

Maybe that is who they are trying to screen out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: My big issue with this is that I don't see being able to measure the skills that are supposedly being measured with a multiple choice test. I looked at the sample questions and it is fairly clear what you should pick for which quality. There was almost always a "bad" answer. I think it's just a way for the test companies to make more $.

If that were the case, then you'd think all kids would pick the same answer. And yet you are upset with the result.

It's not really even like there is always a right answer. There are often three choices (or you rank them). And one is usually not so good. The other two are usually ok but they suggest different things: one would be typical of someone with a lot of self-control and one would be typical of someone who is very kind hearted. It would be hard to have self-control and be kind however you answer. That is what I mean.

[Anonymous]

I didn't think Maret was asking for the character snap shot?? I don't see it anywhere. DD bombed the CSS and she is a lovely well balanced kid with good social skills and a great sense of right and wrong. we worry so much about her academics I didn't even THINK of this stupid thing!