Reply to Deal math tracks

Forum Index » DC Public and Public Charter Schools

Reply to "Deal math tracks"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The iready diagnostic is awful. Does anyone know if Deal or the other middles let the kids truly take as much time as needed until the test is completed? It’s supposed to be untimed but my upper elementary DC has gotten such mixed signals about that. Sometimes DC is pushed to finish within two class periods. Other times DC has been given as long as needed (sometimes up to 3-4 class periods). I’ve noticed that DC is usually not rushed for the EOY test, which probably is why they always do much better on that one (and I think the teachers are gaming the test to have more kids reach their growth goals but that’s somewhat beyond the point). Is my kid going to be pushed to finish the math diagnostic super quickly and then have that used for placement for 6th grade math? [/quote]

I find the diagnostic useful and very accurate as a DCPS math teacher. There is no time limit because it’s adaptive. Obviously testing conditions are important but assuming schools take it seriously and students know to take it seriously it is very reliable. Millions of students across the US take it so have percentile is also helpful. There will always be students around a cut off score schools use for acceleration who could have gone either way. “Algebra 1”can be taught in many ways. Trying to compare grades in a private school as evidence they would have done well in Deal is not apples to apples. [/quote]

As a math teacher, I too find the diagnostic useful, as well as the growth checks, and lessons. Better than many programs. Is it the best? Hard to say, but it is useful. [/quote]

My kids are both good at math. The one who hates iready has somewhat maxed out what her school has to offer during class, despite only scoring in the 95-98 percentile on iready, and is now often doing side lessons on programs like Khan and IXL while the teacher is working with kids who are lagging behind. The fact that a kid like mine underperforms on iready concerns me and makes me skeptical of the program. Sure, my other kid who is way out on the tail of the 99th percentile doesn't mind it as much, but still isn't a huge fan.

As I mentioned above, I have two main concerns with iready. The first is that it apparently jumps around between topics in the diagnostic, which really drives one of my kids crazy. The other is that the diagnostic is supposed to be untimed but DC has gotten such inconsistent guidance on this from teachers. Sometimes DC is told they need to get to 50% of the test in the first class period, and finish in the second. Other times, DC is allowed to go as long as needed at whatever pace they want. I get it that the test seems quite long and teachers don't like it taking up so much class time but a few years of this has stressed my kid out, since they know the test matters and they also know they do much better on it when not rushed. AND DC senses that it actually gives you more questions when you're doing better, to test which harder topics you actually know how to do. DC does not mind the growth checks, which are 20 questions and more consistent, and does consistently well on those. As a parent, I know my kids are supposed to be learning test-taking skills and they aren't going to like every test, and I back up the school on this. But I find it interesting that DC does not mind any other test other than the math iready.

FWIW both of my kids also grumble about the iready lessons. They are happy to do Khan, Zearn, or IXL at school but find iready lessons really tedious. Zearn and IXL seem to get the point a little better and let them actually accelerate.

[/quote]

Meant to add that I get we're stuck with this test and we'd be stuck with some test regardless. There has to be a cutoff. But I do have some concerns about what happens when my eldest gets to Deal next year. She's been doing well in math at our ES and I'm bummed that it'll just be some cutoff on the test she does the worst on. But I suppose that's life. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics