tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4890845751102043774..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: What's the Math Summative Assessment?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22915340888440031172014-05-22T00:00:45.396-07:002014-05-22T00:00:45.396-07:00My NE 2nd grader took the test this week. No adva...My NE 2nd grader took the test this week. No advance notice. I only know because my child told me about it after the fact. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9222560164943500492014-05-21T20:04:33.225-07:002014-05-21T20:04:33.225-07:00According to my daughter's teacher, the 1st gr...According to my daughter's teacher, the 1st grade MSP consisted of 14 comprehensive math questions. Per the instructions, it was advised that teachers/proctors read the test for the whole class. Most questions were multiple choice, but there were a few that required a one or two word response and a drawing response. Libbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18268453360490386546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23020693053537961772014-05-21T10:21:54.439-07:002014-05-21T10:21:54.439-07:00Thanks, Melissa. I have written four emails since...Thanks, Melissa. I have written four emails since Monday, and I still haven't heard back from the school on what happens when a parent refuses a test for a student. I guess I will learn the answer from my child today when he returns home from school.<br /><br />The school also has not adequately explained why they did not notify parents.<br /><br />-taking a stand<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79943466154034617352014-05-20T16:46:45.276-07:002014-05-20T16:46:45.276-07:00"I haven't heard back from the school on ...<br />"I haven't heard back from the school on what "opting out" means in practice. Should I send him with reading material tomorrow?"<br /><br />That is up to you. If you asked valid questions that are time-sensitive and you did not get answers back, then any issues that arise after testing should be the district/school's problem. <br /><br />Whittier, thank you for that. Pretty vague. And, if the assessment is like assignments in class, why the need for the assessment? Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44453136669687995132014-05-20T14:08:41.318-07:002014-05-20T14:08:41.318-07:00This is the letter I received at the end of last w...This is the letter I received at the end of last week:<br /><br />Dear Parents and Guardians,<br /><br />SPS has added a required math assessment this year for first and second graders that is aligned to our Common Core standards. This is something new. It is a short paper and pencil test that will be completed during class next week in two 20 minute sessions. The test is similar to assignments the children have done in class. <br /><br />The purpose of this assessment is to give teachers information about what their students have learned this year, and give the District information about how Common Core is being implemented. The data may also be good baseline information before we begin to work with the new math curriculum which is being adopted district-wide for next year.<br /><br />As the results are calculated by the District, we are not certain when they will be available. We will let you know when we have more information.<br /><br />If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.<br /><br />Melissa Gray<br />Assistant Principal<br />Whittier Elementary<br /><br /><br />-Frustrated at Whittier<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3351660153581106952014-05-20T13:46:33.773-07:002014-05-20T13:46:33.773-07:00For me, this is the straw that broke the camel'...For me, this is the straw that broke the camel's back for testing. I finally opted out of this test, and although I've been tempted I haven't opted out before. My kid is APP-eligible. <br /><br />I haven't heard back from the school on what "opting out" means in practice. Should I send him with reading material tomorrow?<br /><br />-taking a standAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25414692930591231912014-05-20T11:42:26.436-07:002014-05-20T11:42:26.436-07:00This whole thing is so odd. NE Mom of 3, at our NE...This whole thing is so odd. NE Mom of 3, at our NE school the second grade kids have been preparing for the test for weeks. <br /><br />They've been reviewing first and second grade math ad nauseum, even though it's a mixed ability class and many of the students have long since mastered the material and demonstrated that every which way from Sunday. The kids themselves were told that all the review is for this test. They've also spent time the last two days practicing scantron sheets. <br /><br />DisappointedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91443742879843056722014-05-20T10:39:30.106-07:002014-05-20T10:39:30.106-07:00I am not surprised at this at all! At our NW eleme...I am not surprised at this at all! At our NW elementary 1st graders take a math placement test at the end of the year. Scores at this test determine who gets put in advanced math from 2nd grade on. Parents are not told the test is going to happen and are not given results. I was only told about the test and given my kid's score because I asked multiple times for the info. The math head continually tried to deny advanced math classes even exist at the school and we are a walk to math school. Once the class is formed there is no movement so the kids who are in get advanced math but the ones who didn't do well on the assessment but are bored in class and have MAP scores that qualify them for APP won't get moved in. We would stay at this school if this was not the case but because I want my child to be challenged and not stuck in a math level based on one test taken in first grade we will be leaving for APP. The district and the schools are not on the same page when determining which kids qualify for advanced learning. The district tells me my kid is ready for math two years ahead. The school says my kid should be in grade level math. <br />-FrustratedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15494273971130318022014-05-20T09:43:51.508-07:002014-05-20T09:43:51.508-07:00Just found out that my 2nd grader is taking the te...Just found out that my 2nd grader is taking the test today. Her teacher said that they didn't want the kids to be nervous about it, so they have been very low key about it. She also said they are doing the test in 2 steps to avoid issues with the bubble test since not necessarily developmentally appropriate. <br /><br />She is taking it in her regular class, not her math class (they do walk to math).<br /><br />I still wish they would have communicated to us about it and what exactly it means/how they are using it.<br /><br />NE Mom of 3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21260924226538169972014-05-20T09:26:04.308-07:002014-05-20T09:26:04.308-07:00Cynthia, no, I don't think so because SB contr...Cynthia, no, I don't think so because SB controls when testing is and I thought it had long passed.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62171837372746374122014-05-19T22:41:06.215-07:002014-05-19T22:41:06.215-07:00Could this be a Smarter Balanced Test?Could this be a Smarter Balanced Test?Cynthianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33261499625492758722014-05-19T22:39:58.017-07:002014-05-19T22:39:58.017-07:00I'm not surprised. MAP is a piece of junk and...I'm not surprised. MAP is a piece of junk and worthless to teachers.<br /><br />It is not uncommon to see school tests in addition to MAP and MSP.Disgustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54316170785304483342014-05-19T21:15:11.025-07:002014-05-19T21:15:11.025-07:00Dr. Herzog is just 1 person, with one viewpoint, w...Dr. Herzog is just 1 person, with one viewpoint, which is COUNTER to evidence. Come to the task force and listen to the whole discussion. <br /><br />Of course, Mr. Banda if free to disregard what recs do come forward.<br /><br />-waiting for recsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61808828697212662102014-05-19T20:28:14.555-07:002014-05-19T20:28:14.555-07:00come on everyone, this makes perfect sense.
give...come on everyone, this makes perfect sense. <br /><br />given the district's complete baloney with the recent k-5 math adoption & trying to stack the deck for their reformie dreck, of course there are more tests!<br /><br />and, of course there will be zero real attempts to figure out the skills kids are struggling with and exactly what to do with about those skills, because we're all going to go to college and be high level thinkers who don't need boring old skills. <br /><br />and, with the knapp-ster helping guide crappy contracts, teachers will take all the blame!<br /><br />does it ever<br /><br />getbetter? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83993772984245971242014-05-19T19:24:49.086-07:002014-05-19T19:24:49.086-07:00Again, enough with this lack of transparency. To ...Again, enough with this lack of transparency. To say, after the fact without notice, "well, your child isn't eligible because he/she did not take assessment A" is well, BS.<br /><br />To not tell parents, especially parents with children with special needs, about this is not good. These are 6 and 7 year old children who may struggle with any kind of assessment.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77296256209808837722014-05-19T19:07:58.027-07:002014-05-19T19:07:58.027-07:00The AL task force materials include suggestions fo...The AL task force materials include suggestions for K-2 (Hertzog) that include using end of year curriculum based assessments as screeners - which would be in line with the "math summative assessment" being used in 1st and 2nd grade. I would be hesitant to opt out since it could possibly keep your child from receiving AL services.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/advanced%20learning/HertzogSeattlePlanK-2%20(2).pdf?sessionid=5a3984a4548358be1b001d146591e3ed" rel="nofollow">Hertzog K-2 thoughts</a><br /><br />curiousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39842675659939626142014-05-19T16:44:17.489-07:002014-05-19T16:44:17.489-07:00THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO! I just asked for my child...THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO! I just asked for my child w/vision and visual tracking issues to be accommodated on the test - to have my child's problems graded on the worksheet rather than requiring them to be transferred to the bubble sheet (nightmare, nightmare, nightmare for my child and would completely frustrate the kid into quitting or losing sight of the math, b/c of focusing on finding place each time). THANK YOU for letting me know! <br /><br />This is one of the many reasons I read this blog. Melissa, when you are down or overwhelmed - you do have thousands of small improvements in actual children's lives that you can put in your plus column.<br /><br />Signed: thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82902241556026033232014-05-19T14:24:55.212-07:002014-05-19T14:24:55.212-07:00It is never a move in the right direction without ...It is never a move in the right direction without transparency. About why, about costs, about use of data. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38527656552874238152014-05-19T14:21:53.725-07:002014-05-19T14:21:53.725-07:00Okay...maybe the district is actually trying to ge...Okay...maybe the district is actually trying to get more useful information than they are getting from MAP or MSP. It could be a move in the right direction.<br /><br />Will the results also be used for math groupings or AL services? That's what I'd be interested in knowing as a parent. Since they seem headed in the direction of no APP until 3rd grade, it does make one wonder if the results will support in school groupings, and whether they will eliminate MAP for that age group. <br /><br />curiousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35594888118571528012014-05-19T14:20:53.333-07:002014-05-19T14:20:53.333-07:00It would be helpful to know if this is being done ...It would be helpful to know if this is being done as a possible replacement for the MAP. Of course, that would take actual communication from District Teaching and Learning.<br /><br />DistrictWatcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27816293667624984032014-05-19T13:58:54.453-07:002014-05-19T13:58:54.453-07:00I have to say, these comments say it all.
The dis...I have to say, these comments say it all.<br /><br />The district has to be transparent about its efforts around academics. Why no announcement either for the field testing or the district-wide testing? <br /><br />Were teachers/principals to tell parents? I have a feeling the answer is no but some teachers, doing due diligence, told their students' parents.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90715164023822915042014-05-19T13:46:28.266-07:002014-05-19T13:46:28.266-07:00I know our 1st grade class at Lincoln APP is doing...I know our 1st grade class at Lincoln APP is doing a "summative math assessment" tomorrow according to a class newsletter - no explanation beyond this (I didn't realize it was some sort of district wide test until I read it here)<br /><br />testyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47831845373556496452014-05-19T13:44:49.105-07:002014-05-19T13:44:49.105-07:00They are, NEP. My second grader in APP is schedule...They are, NEP. My second grader in APP is scheduled to take it tomorrow. We are opting out.<br /><br />-Opter outer<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87812249131156302402014-05-19T13:17:43.671-07:002014-05-19T13:17:43.671-07:00The letter says "all first and second graders...The letter says "all first and second graders." Does anyone know if kids in self-contained advanced learning programs are taking the test?<br /><br />NEPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57073409838578344672014-05-19T12:55:48.360-07:002014-05-19T12:55:48.360-07:00I think SPS has learned that if they want to demo ...I think SPS has learned that if they want to demo a new test they have to do it uncover so parents don't opt out.Po3noreply@blogger.com