Reply to Voicemail from school re: SOL scores

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]My DD was in an after school "remediation" class for weeks prior to the SOLs. Apparently, they did some kind of assessment and were concerned she might not pass. Was I supposed to turn it down because her friends might find out and she'd feel humiliated by it? Heck no. All her friends were in the same class. She had a great time.

And if she still doesn't pass the SOL and they want her to re-test, they have my blessing. We've always told our kids that [b]the SOLs are a reflection on the school's teaching methods[/b] rather than the students' ability. It's all smoke and mirrors.[/quote]

Glad to hear that your DD enjoyed her SOL remediation classes based on the worry that she might not pass it.  Since you feel they are a reflection on the school's teaching methods, what were the methods that caused your DD to have to be in after school remediation?[/quote]

Agree with this.

They were concerned enough about her passing the SOLs that they decided to remediate just at the end of the school year before the tests. Why were they not concerned the entire school year?  Why did they not notify you by the end of the first quarter or at least during the second quarter?  They should have put in place extra supports, but you know why they didn't?  She's on grade level right?  They didn't want to go through the IEP process to put formal extra supports in place.  Why would they?  At grade level means it's not worth the extra money, your child is passing and that's good enough.

But when the school will be graded, they don't want to take the chance.  All of the sudden, extra supports 'unofficially' pop up and they are fine with it, since they won't have to do it again until next SOL season.

[/quote]

+1,000,000
I'm the PP whose DC went to the before-school SOL remediation classes in April and May.  DC is on grade level in all subjects - not a standout student, but gets 3s and 4s on report card, so not bad either.  However, obviously something isn't clicking because DC didn't do well at all on the practice SOLs; thus the "invitation" to "Math and Reading Workshops".  If there was a problem, wouldn't you think DC would be doing poorly in schoolwork throughout the year?  Nope - it's just the f-ing SOLs which have tripped up DC and which suddenly seem to warrant concern from the administration.

I am so over FCPS.  [/quote]

It's a cumulative test. Maybe she just needs some review of concepts learned earlier in the year. It's amazing how many parents balk at extra help given to their children. Or perhaps your teachers really aren't good and just keep giving 3's and 4's. Better to know though than be in the dark.[/quote]

I'm all for extra help (I'm the PP).   When I asked the teacher if she could either work with DC after school or recommend a tutor, she said she couldn't do either one.  So it's just after finding out DC didn't do well on the practice SOLs that the teacher/administration decided to have the SOL cram session - during which everything was raced through and barely touched upon.  Extra help would have meant so much more if it had been offered during the year, when it was critical to understanding the work, rather than at the very end, simply in the hopes of getting a kid to pass the SOL so the school would look good.[/quote]

I agree. There are just so many people against these tests and my fear is that your child wouldn't get the help needed if the tests went away. It seems like the tests are the only indicator that propels these teachers to work more with your child.[/quote]

I'm the PP and I think you may have misunderstood what I was saying.  I'm very much NOT in favor of the SOLs, because of the reasons I stated.  I don't believe the school/teachers do nearly enough remediation throughout the year, when it could actually help.  Instead, they wait until SOL season and do these SOL bootcamps, in the hopes of getting their struggling students to pass, when what would have really made a difference was helping these students when they first started having trouble. [/quote]

How would not having the SOL's have made sure your child got the help they needed throughout the year? If they went away, how would your child benefit? My children have rarely even gotten a problem wrong, but I still think they are valuable to us to see if my kids have retained concepts throughout the year and thought they would be more valuable for a struggling student.[/quote]

Remember, SOLs are the state standards, not just the tests. The tests could go away and we could still maintain the standards.[/quote]

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