Reply to Why do some parents dislike the SOLs so very much?

Forum Index » Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

Reply to "Why do some parents dislike the SOLs so very much?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Agree the tests are not going to attract better teachers. That said, if there was more respect for teachers which many are working to help become reality, do you think that these tests are helpful to be able to compare students across a variety of schools?  [b]They can do that, but how does that help students to improve?[/b] Do you think they are helpful for showing parents and teachers where students, teachers, and curriculum are weak and need additional help or emphasis? [b]No[/b] Do you really not have enough time to give a "special cake" lesson throughout the year when these tests are given over a short time frame?[b]They are not given over a short time frame[/b] Since they measure the understanding of the standards guide, what in particular do you dislike about them?[b]Lots of things to dislike about them---starting with how they narrow the curriculum and how they take time away from other important types of learning such as art, music, PE, etc.[/b] Do you dislike the standards too? [b]No, standards are fine.  We have always had standards[/b] Seems they would go hand in hand.[b]No, standards can be tested locally.  A national or state level test is not needed.[/b] If you have a school that has many needs in terms of ESL and IEP's, what are you missing teaching that you think these kids should get instead of the basics to pass these SOL's?[b]I don't understand the question.  Are you trying to say that the SOLs are "the basics"?  If the kids are behind, they're behind and need additional help in the basics, right?[/quote][/b]Well, if you're talking about ESL students, "the basics" might mean learning English before they can take an SOL that requires understanding complex grammatical structures or academic language in English.  Is this what you mean by "basics"?[b][/quote]

I don't make the rules. Thank No Child Left Behind for making sure all children meet a certain level of mastery. I believe they have accommodations when taking the tests. Either way, the school's job is to get all students including poor ones to a minimal level of competence. These are the schools that are spending so much time on the SOLs that you seem to be complaining about. The high SES schools don't spend a lot of time on them. [/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