In 3rd grade, my son's class was given a practice test so they could get used to answering the questions on the computer, which was very different to them at the time. Maybe 3rd graders are taking all their tests on the computer or senseos now, but 4 yrs ago they weren't. Other than that, there has never been any prepping. In fact, the teachers say that you can't study for the SOLs, that they either know it or they don't. This is in Arlington, not Fairfax, however.

As one too frequent poster and dcum high lite shining bulb recommends: why not tell your holy 2nd grade teacher about this "school prepping" to find out whether it is ethical?

The point of studying for weeks at a time for the SOLs is to boost the school and teachers rankings. Teachers now spend hours and days teaching to the test instead of engaging in general learning. Giving students the actual writing prompts to the reading SOL in advance of the test and then spending hours of class time practicing as many of them as possible is an exercise in score boosting not learning. Regarding AAP test prep, pot meet kettle.

This is great: The Superintendent, the schools and the teachers can "system prep" to boost rankings and make the cut, but students are not allowed to prep to booast their rankings and make the cut (e.g., AAP). Where is Ms Carol Horn? Aren't these rankings therefore fake and gained immorally and unethically? Where can students go to report the teachers doing this so there will be repercussions? The students need a union (like the teachers) to protect their interests. Afterall, it's their family taxes paying for all this foolishness.

Anonymous wrote:I heard in college they make you takes tests and exams too rather than award life experience credits

The bastards! Is this true?

I like it. AAP is a one shot in time (one frame) of a child's life experience. No one gets to prepare for this ... or life. To do so is immoral, unethical and a scam. However, it's alright to pay and fund (if one is has the means) for an infanthood's worth of life enrichment activities. LOLs

The point of the SOL questions and the practice questions in advance is to assess knowledge of the curriculum as it has been taught. The practice questions help to review and solidify knowledge of subject matter that has been taught in the classroom throughout the academic year.

The point of studying for weeks at a time for the SOLs is to boost the school and teachers rankings. Teachers now spend hours and days teaching to the test instead of engaging in general learning. Giving students the actual writing prompts to the reading SOL in advance of the test and then spending hours of class time practicing as many of them as possible is an exercise in score boosting not learning. Regarding AAP test prep, pot meet kettle.

I heard in college they make you takes tests and exams too rather than award life experience credits

The point of the SOL questions and the practice questions in advance is to assess knowledge of the curriculum as it has been taught. The practice questions help to review and solidify knowledge of subject matter that has been taught in the classroom throughout the academic year.

One can use the same nice rationale for AAP or any "IQ test" --- The point of the AAP questions and the practice questions in advance is to assess knowledge of the world around the child and the curriculum (at home, at school, at church, at afterschool, at the tutor parlor, on the playground and board/puzzle games, and in the museums of the world) as it has been taught and assimilated. The practice questions help to review and solidify knowledge of subject matter, concepts and the world around the child that has been taught in the classroom or on the playgrounds and board/puzzle games (at home, at school, at church, at afterschool, at the tutor parlor throughout the academic year and summer months in a child's lifetime.

Quick and easily done.

The point of the SOL questions and the practice questions in advance is to assess knowledge of the curriculum as it has been taught. The practice questions help to review and solidify knowledge of subject matter that has been taught in the classroom throughout the academic year.

Prepping/preparing for a test that is based on knowledge is essentially learning and studying.

Prepping/preparing for a test that is supposed to assess innate intelligence does not give accurate results.

There are a lot of bible thumping and gun toting Americans who still believe intelligence and strength are innate and fixed. These entities are not learned and cannot be enhance by training. None of these characters could even pass a basic SOL science exam -- even with "test prep"!

I realize that the OP is just trying to be funny here, but one needs to realize that preparing for the SOLs is also known as teaching the curriculum.

No. Not really. My daughter was given the SOL writing questions in advance so that her and her classmates could practice writing the answers. With the SOLs there is little or no focus on general learning. It is just practice to get good scores. SOL test prep is about boosting the school and teachers rankings. It is not about teaching the curriculum as you put it.

Anonymous wrote:I realize that the OP is just trying to be funny here, but one needs to realize that preparing for the SOLs is also known as teaching the curriculum.

All the SOLs do is test how well the students have learned the subjects they've been studying all year long. Studying and practicing for a subject matter test is an appropriate use of class time and is very different from practicing in advance for a test like the CogAT.

Comparing SOLs to the CogAT is like comparing apples to potatoes: they're in completely different categories.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
BTW, I would add that the 6th grade Math SOL score does determine placement in 7th grade (along with the IAAT), so it is is important if taking Algebra I is important to you.

Slight correction as it is the 7th grade Math SOL, which is taken in 6th grade by students receiving advanced mathematics instruction.

I thought all the AAP 6th graders took the 7th grade math SOL, no?

Yes. But students that are not in AAP may also receive advanced mathematics instruction and (therefore) also take the 7th grade Math SOL as well as the IAAT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prepping/preparing for a test that is based on knowledge is essentially learning and studying.

Prepping/preparing for a test that is supposed to assess innate intelligence does not give accurate results.

you keep refining your argument don't you? Down to two sentences now.

Huh? It was my first post on this thread.

my bad

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prepping/preparing for a test that is based on knowledge is essentially learning and studying.

Prepping/preparing for a test that is supposed to assess innate intelligence does not give accurate results.

you keep refining your argument don't you? Down to two sentences now.

Huh? It was my first post on this thread.