MAP scores for all to see

[Anonymous]

At my child's ES, their MAP test scores would show up on the computer as soon as they were finished - so then the kids all talked about and compared their scores. Now in middle school, it's even worse since some of the teachers give a prize for the highest score or call out a child who got a high score. Is anyone else bothered by this?

MAP tests feel different than a class test and I don't see why the kids need to know their scores. The children who didn't score as high feel crummy about themselves and the high scorers who have been doted on by the teacher risk getting blowback from possibly jealous peers.

Does anyone know if it's a county-wide policy that the scores come up automatically or have our ES and MS just done it this way?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Calm down.

The score flashes onto the screen, and if you miss it, you need to ask the teacher. Students don't know each other's scores, and don't ask each other - at least, that's how it's been for all of my children in all their elementary, middle and high schools. In the early grades, most kids don't even realize it's their score popping up on the screen!

Separately, I have no problem rewarding the highest score, although kids might not want to be singled out that way, so perhaps it's best not to do that.

[Anonymous]

All the kids talk. I tell mine not to. Teachers should not be giving prizes.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- Since 2nd or 3rd grade, my kids and their classmates have been highly aware that the score pops up and all talk about it and ask each other. I'm calm just feeling this isn't necessary or healthy. None of us found out the scores of our standardized tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my child's ES, their MAP test scores would show up on the computer as soon as they were finished - so then the kids all talked about and compared their scores. Now in middle school, it's even worse since some of the teachers give a prize for the highest score or call out a child who got a high score. Is anyone else bothered by this?

MAP tests feel different than a class test and I don't see why the kids need to know their scores. The children who didn't score as high feel crummy about themselves and the high scorers who have been doted on by the teacher risk getting blowback from possibly jealous peers.

Does anyone know if it's a county-wide policy that the scores come up automatically or have our ES and MS just done it this way?

Thanks

what is this - 1970?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- Since 2nd or 3rd grade, my kids and their classmates have been highly aware that the score pops up and all talk about it and ask each other. I'm calm just feeling this isn't necessary or healthy. None of us found out the scores of our standardized tests.

When kids say "we all do it", it means a handful of kids. Always. Just tell your kids not to talk about it. Perhaps they're the instigators!

[Anonymous]

what is this - 1970?

What?

[Anonymous]

With my kids, both middle and elementary school, they see their scores and know them and there may be some talking, but not huge amount. The only time I’ve ever seen an award given was the middle schoolers math class last year, where the teacher rewarded kids who scores improved by a certain number of points. She rewarded growth, not the highest score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- Since 2nd or 3rd grade, my kids and their classmates have been highly aware that the score pops up and all talk about it and ask each other. I'm calm just feeling this isn't necessary or healthy. None of us found out the scores of our standardized tests.

We took the Iowa Test of Basic Skills every year and they would send the scores home. I don't remember if they were mailed home or if the school sent them home with the students. I still remember the score reports. My brother always scored in the 98th or 99th percentile but he was incredibly lazy so he did terribly in school. My son is a lot like him although I push him to work harder. My DS remembers his MAP scores and I always requested them from the teacher. He scored extremely high in verbal and a bit lower in math. I probably scored in the low 80th percentiles but always worked my butt off for As and Bs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- Since 2nd or 3rd grade, my kids and their classmates have been highly aware that the score pops up and all talk about it and ask each other. I'm calm just feeling this isn't necessary or healthy. None of us found out the scores of our standardized tests.

What are you, 75?
Of course, kids find out their scores, on standardized tests or regular school quizzes. It might be unnecessary -- and unhealthy -- for 6-year-olds to overthink their scores, but for someone in middle school? Please! They're only a couple of years away from taking SATs.

[Anonymous]

I’m with OP. Our old schools just sent MAP scores home. My kids (ES and MS) don’t need to know their scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the kids talk. I tell mine not to. Teachers should not be giving prizes.

Why not? We certainly recognize individual achievement in athletics with Trophy's and praise. Why should academics be any different? Should we stop announcing who won a race because the other runners might feel bad?

[Anonymous]

I agree with OP that this is stupid. And MAP isn’t meant to measure classroom achievement, so it doesn’t make sense for teachers to “reward” based on it. It’s not at all like getting the highest grade on a mid-term exam.

(Plus, as a middle schooler, I would have been horrified to have that announced. I got the highest SAT at my HS and my boy friend told everyone my score—it was super embarrassing and everyone had some comment about it, not all of them nice. Plus I felt awful for all the kids that clearly felt awful about their score in comparison to mine.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the kids talk. I tell mine not to. Teachers should not be giving prizes.

Why not? We certainly recognize individual achievement in athletics with Trophy's and praise. Why should academics be any different? Should we stop announcing who won a race because the other runners might feel bad?

Running in races is optional and kids who hate doing so or are bad at it don’t participate. Teachers don’t tell students that MAP testing is optional. Besides, running a race is inherently a form of competition; how well you read shouldn’t be.

[Anonymous]

Here we go again with the typical American mindset of "sport competition is GREAT" and "academics should be fun and not stressful or competitive".

This is why other countries can snag so many spots at top universities, and why certain countries are catching up to the USA is terms of innovation and economic clout.