The Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) is one of the most popular measures of early reading ability in American elementary schools. Teachers are supposed to use it as a checkup to see how students are progressing throughout the year. But researchers who’ve studied it say the BAS is wrong far too often to be useful. It is also more expensive for the schools and more time-consuming for the teachers to administer, according to an analysis comparing it to other tests. One professor who analyzed the BAS said it was worse at identifying struggling readers than any assessment he had ever seen. That means struggling readers might be less likely to get the help they need before they fall even further behind their classmates.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As they should. Many parents haven't gotten the message that schools are not doing their basic jobs.

It all starts with the parents. If they did their jobs, schools would be empowered to do theirs. Unfortunately too many these days expect the state to raise their children.

Agreed. As an example, chronic absenteeism is a nightmare for schools.

My DS had excellent attendance at his MCPS elementary. But he was dyslexic, and he never learned to read until after we hired a tutor halfway through 3rd grade. Two things can be true at once: parents need to do their jobs and schools need to do theirs.

For more info about what schools should be doing, watch this documentary, "The Right to Read". Kareem Weaver, who features in the film, has worked in settings with black, brown, and impoverished students. He's pushing for research-based school changes and he is not waiting for parents to "do their jobs." https://www.therighttoreadfilm.org

Thank you!! MCPS has moved to the Science of Reading, changed the elementary ELA curriculum, gotten an audit from CAL and are working to implement their recommendations, using Dibels, and targeting particular students for interventions/tutoring/Summer school, invested in Reading Specialist for every ES. Do I think given the number of students that more people resources are needed, Yes.

But I’ve yet to hear folks on here addressing the work that parents need to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As they should. Many parents haven't gotten the message that schools are not doing their basic jobs.

It all starts with the parents. If they did their jobs, schools would be empowered to do theirs. Unfortunately too many these days expect the state to raise their children.

Agreed. As an example, chronic absenteeism is a nightmare for schools.

My DS had excellent attendance at his MCPS elementary. But he was dyslexic, and he never learned to read until after we hired a tutor halfway through 3rd grade. Two things can be true at once: parents need to do their jobs and schools need to do theirs.

For more info about what schools should be doing, watch this documentary, "The Right to Read". Kareem Weaver, who features in the film, has worked in settings with black, brown, and impoverished students. He's pushing for research-based school changes and he is not waiting for parents to "do their jobs." https://www.therighttoreadfilm.org

Thank you!! MCPS has moved to the Science of Reading, changed the elementary ELA curriculum, gotten an audit from CAL and are working to implement their recommendations, using Dibels, and targeting particular students for interventions/tutoring/Summer school, invested in Reading Specialist for every ES. Do I think given the number of students that more people resources are needed, Yes.

But I’ve yet to hear folks on here addressing the work that parents need to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As they should. Many parents haven't gotten the message that schools are not doing their basic jobs.

It all starts with the parents. If they did their jobs, schools would be empowered to do theirs. Unfortunately too many these days expect the state to raise their children.

Agreed. As an example, chronic absenteeism is a nightmare for schools.

My DS had excellent attendance at his MCPS elementary. But he was dyslexic, and he never learned to read until after we hired a tutor halfway through 3rd grade. Two things can be true at once: parents need to do their jobs and schools need to do theirs.

For more info about what schools should be doing, watch this documentary, "The Right to Read". Kareem Weaver, who features in the film, has worked in settings with black, brown, and impoverished students. He's pushing for research-based school changes and he is not waiting for parents to "do their jobs." https://www.therighttoreadfilm.org

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As they should. Many parents haven't gotten the message that schools are not doing their basic jobs.

It all starts with the parents. If they did their jobs, schools would be empowered to do theirs. Unfortunately too many these days expect the state to raise their children.

Agreed. As an example, chronic absenteeism is a nightmare for schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As they should. Many parents haven't gotten the message that schools are not doing their basic jobs.

It all starts with the parents. If they did their jobs, schools would be empowered to do theirs. Unfortunately too many these days expect the state to raise their children.

Anonymous wrote:As they should. Many parents haven't gotten the message that schools are not doing their basic jobs.

Anonymous wrote:I’m glad they are pushing for change. That your child is behind on reading should not come as a surprise.

Anonymous wrote:If the Black and Brown Coalition is so frustrated that they're going to the media to complain and they have been touted by MCPS in BOE and Council meetings as a valued partner in implementing a solution for the abysmal literacy problems for Black and Brown students in the system, what does that say about MCPS as an organization and community partner?