February 20, 200818 yr Man I hope so... http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/15795342.html CHANGING SCHOOL TESTS Posted: 6:59 AM Feb 20, 2008 Last Updated: 6:59 AM Feb 20, 2008 Reporter: The Associated Press Email Address: [email protected] FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A state Senate proposal calls for revamping the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 by changing accountability tests given to students. Senate President David Williams says the proposal would replace the current Commonwealth Accountability Testing System with an unspecified national assessment test for elementary school students. High school students would be administered the ACT test's Educational Planning and Assessment System. Pupils' writing portfolios would no longer count as part of school assessment testing. The General Assembly passed KERA in 1990, calling for sweeping changes and accountability within the state's education system. Its goal of having all Kentucky students reach the level of proficiency is targeted for 2014. The English teachers here in the college I work at will be besides themselves with glee if this passes. I don't see why they don't eliminate Portfolios all together. But at least taking them out of the assessment will mean less emphasis on a useless measuring stick.
February 21, 200818 yr I would hope so too... but the powers that be will not allow this to happen. To much money to be lost for the politicans... it always about money.. not the kids... CATS is a joke.
February 21, 200818 yr Sounds good to me. A quote from the Lexington Herald-Leader today stated that, ... "the bill would replace the testing system with nationally normed multiple-choice tests with the aim of providing more useful information, save $10 million, and add 21 days in student instructional time." I think the added days for instructional time is important. Too many days are used in preparation for the test in its current form, imo.
February 21, 200818 yr Why is this a surprise to anyone? I have been telling you guys for years that once we have a new governor, it will change on the state level. When we get the new President, it will change on the national level.
February 22, 200818 yr What politician is making money off of the testing system. It is a Massachusett's company that creates the test. Teachers are used in grading part of it, and computers in the other. The switch to everyone taking the ACT is the one that is creating money for people like Hunter Bates, who lobbies for the ACT (College Board I think it is). LBBC this is a Republican proposal and will probably be shot down by the governor. As for preparing for the test, if it is a valid test, and you are teaching to the test, that is a good thing. Core Content is what is on the test and what teachers should be teaching. It keeps teachers from just focusing on "What they like to teach". and just for the record - Kentucky will ALWAYS lag behind the rest of the U.S. in comparison on the ACT - not because our kids aren't as smart, but because we are testing EVERYBODY and the rest of the country is only testing those who CHOOSE to be tested and claim to be college bound. We will not be comparing like groups in this evaluation.
February 22, 200818 yr This is a great idea in my opinion. It is simple and here is why: ACT - Counts for college entrance and scholarship opportunities CATS - Counts for NOTHING
February 22, 200818 yr What politician is making money off of the testing system. It is a Massachusett's company that creates the test. Teachers are used in grading part of it, and computers in the other. The switch to everyone taking the ACT is the one that is creating money for people like Hunter Bates, who lobbies for the ACT (College Board I think it is). LBBC this is a Republican proposal and will probably be shot down by the governor. As for preparing for the test, if it is a valid test, and you are teaching to the test, that is a good thing. Core Content is what is on the test and what teachers should be teaching. It keeps teachers from just focusing on "What they like to teach". and just for the record - Kentucky will ALWAYS lag behind the rest of the U.S. in comparison on the ACT - not because our kids aren't as smart, but because we are testing EVERYBODY and the rest of the country is only testing those who CHOOSE to be tested and claim to be college bound. We will not be comparing like groups in this evaluation. He is a hometown boy:dancingpa Glad to see people are listening to people with some sense:lol:
February 22, 200818 yr In my opinion what needs to change may not be the test but the attitude that all students are equal, learn at the same rates,(pur silly) once we realize that, we can then make an assessment accordingly. I believe that we need to go into the route of specialization earlier, maybe after the age of 12... just a thought.
February 22, 200818 yr Tie kids success in school to parents' welfare benefits. Tie kids success in school to parents' tax benefits. Keep up with the kids success tied to their driving license. That is a motivator for them when they turn 16 and cannot get their license. Tie post secondary scholarships to their success. And make the test an exit test for the HS level.
February 22, 200818 yr Tie kids success in school to parents' welfare benefits. Tie kids success in school to parents' tax benefits. Keep up with the kids success tied to their driving license. That is a motivator for them when they turn 16 and cannot get their license. Tie post secondary scholarships to their success. And make the test an exit test for the HS level. You know, I actually like that idea. :thumb:
February 22, 200818 yr They are doing exit exams in some parts of Florida right now and it is a mess. If a kid passes all required coarse work for a high school degree and fails the exit exam, the state is setting itself up for litagation. That is what's going on in south Florida right now. Good concept, but bad idea.
February 22, 200818 yr They are doing exit exams in some parts of Florida right now and it is a mess. If a kid passes all required coarse work for a high school degree and fails the exit exam, the state is setting itself up for litagation. That is what's going on in south Florida right now. Good concept, but bad idea. How? Ohio has been doing the same thing for over 10 years. I know because about 10-15 years ago, it took my cousin 2-3 times to pass the test and qualify for her diploma. If you are going to tie teacher's pay to how the students perform, shouldn't the student have some serious consequences tied to their performance too?
February 22, 200818 yr How? Ohio has been doing the same thing for over 10 years. I know because about 10-15 years ago, it took my cousin 2-3 times to pass the test and qualify for her diploma. If you are going to tie teacher's pay to how the students perform, shouldn't the student have some serious consequences tied to their performance too? LBBCoach, I agree. Accountability should be the foundation of schools. And I am not saying I don't like the ideas of exit exams. I just know they are having trouble with them in Florida. That's all.................:thumb:
February 22, 200818 yr Tie kids success in school to parents' welfare benefits. Tie kids success in school to parents' tax benefits. Keep up with the kids success tied to their driving license. That is a motivator for them when they turn 16 and cannot get their license. Tie post secondary scholarships to their success. And make the test an exit test for the HS level. Excellent ideas! The only thing I wish to add is more teacher pay, and lower student to teacher ratios then I think we are on to something!
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