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<p>just because they are used incorrectly doesn’t mean they shouldn’t exist. I agree 100% that your example is horrible and the score on the test should not determine what class a student takes next. It should be ONE PART of the equation that goes into what class the student will take next.</p>
<p>soccerguy315- I am sorry if I wasn’t clear. I am not against standardized testing as a whole. I feel that in my experience they are currently being used in ways that were originally not intended, that do not benefit teachers or students.</p>
<p>If a student in an extended area of study (Language Arts, Math, etc.) does not earn a ‘Pass Advance’ on a standardized test, it is reasonable to evaluate other data to determine if their placement in that program is the best fit for them. At the beginning of each year many schools test their students in their respective advanced classes to make sure their placement is appropriate. This is another part of the equation that should be considered before simply holding a student back due to a slight margin between pass and pass advanced.</p>
<p>Pierre0913- This is true to an extent, however not all SOLs correlate with APs or SATs in the 11th grade. In an effort to ensure high level of Pass Advance teachers assign a great deal of study material which takes time away from studying for other testing. Keep in mind, the teachers are being graded on how well their students do. In schools where the policy includes exemption from finals depending on SOL scores (if all students pass/pass advance no exams need to be given or graded in that class) where do you think the emphasis is going to be placed?</p>
<p>In California there is STAR testing in grades 2-11, and in addition there is the CASHEE tests in English and math taken starting sophomore year until you pass. If you don’t pass the CASHEE tests you don’t get a high school diploma.</p>
<p>STAR testing is a way to test the schools, not really the students. So it stresses out the teachers to no end, but the students, not particularly. The scores have no consequences to the student. In elementary school often a bribe of ice cream after the or a bounce house after the last test gets the kids by. In junior high they gave the kids candy and snacks while taking the tests. By high school the teachers are begging the students to actually try on the tests and not just bubble in patterns. </p>
<p>The CASHEE tests on the other hand are more an all or nothing kind of thing. I believe the standard is 10 grade english and algebra I. The vast majority of students pass the first time. But for those who don’t, or never will be able to pass due to learning disabilities, the stakes on that test are very high.</p>
<p>I’m always flummoxed why they don’t use the 10th grade english and algebra STAR test results instead of the CASHEE. The kids are already taking the tests, and having them have two sections that matter gives them a little skin in the game.</p>
<p>The Virginia SOLs were definitely of benefit to my child. For years in elementary school, she limped along in spelling and social studies. But she did not qualify for any special ed services. And the teachers refused to help her in any way, despite my H and I pleading for a little assistance. Then came 6th grade and she failed the social studies/history SOL and the english SOL. I alerted the middle school that she would attend in the fall and they jumped right on her. (If you fail SOLs in middle school, you run the risk of not being promoted to high school.) Her middle school English and History teacher tutored her after school the entire year. Her grades shot up and, from then on, she passed all SOLs with no difficulty. To this day, every time I pass her middle school, I blow them a kiss!!</p>
<p>I like the SOLs because the tests force the schools to address academic difficulties of all students, not just special ed students. Before SOLs, teachers focused on the very bright students and the learning disabled students. The academic problems of the kids in the middle were ignored and these kids were just expected to muddle through somehow. Because a failure of an SOL is considered a failure of the school, the schools are now very prompt in providing assistance to a student in academic need.</p>
<p>Standardized testing is not the smartest ways to teach kids. Other countries do not have them with much greater results. The academic program in k-12 is exetremely inadequate, limits choice of average students in regard to proffesional choices and leaves the poor performers totally behind. it should not be the case. Everybody, every single HS graduate should be able to pursue any proffesional goal. And, in addition, 13 years of school is way to long, it could be only 10, and again with much better results at the end. Standardized testing has absolutely nothing to do with improving k-12 outcome.</p>