Tuesday, March 26, 2013
March 26, 2013
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/14/152683322/third-grade-a-pivotal-time-in-students-lives
This link is to a transcript from an NPR radio talk show. You may also download the audio. It is an interesting show about whether or not to retain students based on their inability to read on grade level. Some of the callers have had their child retained, or have been retained themselves for not performing on grade level. It is interesting to see what different states base their retentions on - truly not being able to read, failing standardized tests, and immaturity are all mentioned. I feel a student should not be retained solely on their standardized test scores. I do, however, feel that if it is felt a student is struggling in reading that the retention should occur before third grade, certainly not later. The third grade curriculum for ELA is challenging for a student that can read. It is really frustrating for a student who is reading on a kindergarten or first grade level who is trying to read the types of selections on standardized tests. I see these students shut down during these tests. They can't read but a few words on the first line of a selection and then see seven or eight more selections they have to read, so some don't even try. I would like to see these students also be able to receive a test that is read to them and they are required to answer the questions. This way, you can test their comprehension. The way all students are currently tested for reading comprehension, you are not getting an accurate measurement of the child's comprehension if they aren't able to read the words.
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ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nancy. This is really a hot topic right now in education. I am not sure how I feel about the new test at this point. From what I understand, it will be more fair to students that struggle to read when it is computerized. I have seen a little of this and what is coming, I think it will impress teachers more than this pencil paper test. Just the little that I know about it, the test will have short passages/selections and depending on how the student responds will either go to a higher level or a lower level. It will measure the growth of a child from year to year. I really am waiting to see how this works. I agree with you on retention. Research shows that there is a greater chance for a student to drop out of high school if there has been a retention. We don't all learn at the same rate, nor do we comprehend on the same level. When people finally realize this....I don't know when that will happen.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know this is how the new tests are being developed. I think it is a much more fair if the computer can adjust the reading level of the passages based on the students' responses. It's also great that they track the growth. Looking forward to learning more about the new tests. Maybe there is hope! Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog! The information on retention is very interesting and I think that retaining based on reading level might be a good idea. As others have mentioned, the move from 2nd to 3rd grade is a huge curriculum jump and if students are not reading on grade level - they will be lost. At my school, 3rd grade is the year when textbooks are being used more for subjects like Social Studies and Science. In earlier years, these subjects are taught by the teacher verbally.
I find that the students struggling with reading are the ones who act out and disrupt the class. Their self-esteem is low and would rather have the attention from their behavior mask their inability to do the work. If their reading level can be brought up at an earlier age, their behavior might improve.
You also mentioned reading comprehension on standardized testing. The tests we use have a "listening" portion. The teacher reads a passage and the students have to answer the questions based on what they heard. This definitely helps those that are struggling with the words and allow theirs comprehension to be tested.
I'll be checking back - love this!!
I'm glad your district uses that listening component. Not only does it truly test a student's comprehension, it hopefully improves their self esteem by encouraging them to have some success.
DeleteNancy,
ReplyDeleteGreat topic and thanks for sharing the link. This is such a hot debate in the district I teach in North Idaho. Many elementary teachers constantly grapply with this idea of "social passing" as they call it. I really like your comment when you said that students should not be kept back soley based on Standardized Test scores. I believe that if their skills are not meeting the necessary requirements they should be held back, but it should not be placed on one Standardized Test. That is just silly in my opinion.
Great topic and I think this topic is something that be debated for sometime. Thanks for sharing.
Jeff
Jeff,
DeleteThanks for your input. Anyone could have a bad day, and it could be on test day. Some people are not good test takers. Like you, I don't think they should be punished because of one test. The wording is so difficult on these test; if the students were asked the same questions, only worded in a simpler way, I would think the results would be different.
Nancy-
ReplyDeleteYou made some great points in your post! It is definitely wrong to retain a student solely on their standardized test scores. I was an A/B student all through school, but failed miserably at standardized test. Thank goodness this wasn't held against me as a reason to hold me back. That could have been detrimental. Retaining a student (or your own child for that matter) is a very hard decision and many factors should come in to play. This will impack a child for the rest of his/her life. I do agree that if they need to be retainned, it should be done between 5K and second grade so the students can get a good foundation in basic skills. Thanks for sharing! -Lauren
Thanks, Lauren. Your situation is a perfect example of why students shouldn't be retained based solely on their standardized test scores. Some students are just not good test takers. It doesn't mean they are not on grade level. I have, also, had students like this. These tests put so much pressure on both the students and the teacher.
DeleteNancy,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Reading is a biggie in our district too. Students coming into the junior high (7th grade) are pulled out of an elective class to take reading depending on their reading score. We also have two different reading teachers (one for students barely below grade level and one for students way below grade level). My son struggled with reading when he first started school but he was tagged early on and put in the CLIP reading program. He now reads at two grade levels above. My daughter has struggled with reading since 1st grade. She wasn't far enough below grade level to be put in the CLIP reading program and thus has had to take reading up until now. She finally passed the MAP reading portion (the test on which they decide if a student should be placed in a reading class - once again, the results come from a test instead of actually providing many opportunities for the student to show proficiency) and doesn't have to take reading anymore.
I think reading is going to be one of the major focal points for a long time.
Wendy
It seems your district really has a focus on reading. That's great. Hopefully, if the intense focus is put in the schools at the elementary level, there won't be a need for 7th graders to be in a reading program. I know there will still be students who have trouble reading, but I feel there would be fewer of them.
ReplyDelete