Reply to No more reading accommodations for kids with SLD in Reading on PAARC testing?

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Reply to "No more reading accommodations for kids with SLD in Reading on PAARC testing?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
The thing that bothers me the most during testing is having to cover the rooms for every standardized test. We teach them to use strategies such as using resources around the room to help them all year, then have to yank those away for tests. So unfair. I had first graders taking the writing part of ACCESS who were almost in tears and shut down because they wanted to write a word and then looked around the room for the alphabet to help them with the letter sounds, but then realized it was covered. Way to make testing a stressful experience for them.  I realize there has to be some consistency, because teachers could put tons of stuff on the walls, but the alphabet should be allowed, at least for ACCESS in my opinion.

-another ESOL teacher [/quote]

I teach ESOL as well -- are you sure that you have to cover the room walls of instructional materials for WIDA ACCESS?  We weren't told we needed to do that![/quote]

ACCESS is a tool that tells you whether a child is ready to exit ESOL services, and participate independently in ESOL (or at least it is in DC, I've never taught in MD).  It makes sense that if a child needs the resources provided by an ESOL teacher to pass the test, they should continue with ESOL services.  In that circumstance there's no benefit to the child to providing the resources during the test.  There may be benefit to the teacher, who will end up with a reduced caseload or improved test scores.

I'd explain to your kids why the resources aren't available, and when they'll come back.  I'd also practice once or twice what to do when there isn't an alphabet chart.  [/quote]

Agree, but it should be a consistent rule to either cover or not cover for all schools in the county. How are the results valid if students at some schools are allowed to use resources on the walls but students at other schools aren't? It shouldn't be left up to testing coordinators at individual schools. [/quote]

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