[Blistering Winds]

Ok, I got a calendar of when Texas tests for what (grade wise).

I know the nation is being structured after ours, one reason because ours has been around for a very long time. Bush was not our govenor when this first got started here.


For those getting ready to have kids, or have kids not in school, I want to give you an idea of everything.

I'm not debating if you like this or not. But this is what we are tested.


Starting in 3rd Grade, (about when I started too...different test though), Reading and Math is tested. BUT, only Reading counts for them to move on.

NOW, every year, they will be tested in Reading and Math...but only certain years actually COUNT for htem to have to pass before moving onto the next grade.

Grade 4 is Reading, Writing and Math

Gradie 5 Reading and Math are BOTH Counted for passing, Science is tested for "practice" and probably for teachers too

Grade 6 Reading and Math

Grade 7 Reading Writing and Math

Grade 8 Reading and Math are BOTH counted for passing, Science and social Studies are jsut tested ...doesnt count toward student

Grade 9 Reading and Math

Grade 10 English/Language Arts, math, Science, and Social Studies

Grade 11. EVERYTHING COUNTS to graduate High School English/Language Arts, math, Science, and Social Studies.




Now, I grew up where we were tested 3rd grade for reading......something in 7th grade....and then the TAAS test in 10th grade that counted.



SO, in my opinion, with the new system.....EVERY YEAR from 3rd grade, your child takes the standard test. In my opinion, you should be able to figure out how to take a standardize test between 3rd grade and 11th grade (which if you fail, you have the 12th grade to pass the things you didn't pass the year before) . Also, TAKS (now what ours is called) has tutorial programs for children who do have issues outside of the regular classes.

We have a modified test for Special Ed students....basically Reading and Math only. They don't have to do social studies or science.

And a totally different test for LEP students (not sure what that is)


Anyways, figure I'd give some of ya'll a quick overview of what is to come for your area if you haven't looked into it for your children.

[Blistering Winds]

also, the district must give a student who initially fails toperform satisfactorily at least 2 additional opportunities to take it again.

So there are 3 chances each year for the student to get it right.

[TrickPony]

Oh my... that is so discouraging. Thanks for posting that.

[Blistering Winds]

I talked to the principal at the elementary school. About 6 - 8 children total, between grade 3 and 5 have to retake it every year. Which when you have 5-7 TEACHERS per grade and 25 students in each class....that really is an excellent number. Usually they are transfer students from other states that the teachers haven't been able to get them caught up yet. By the 2nd test, they usually pass just fine. We have an Excellence ever year from the testing in this district where I have my kids.

[TrickPony]

They have a very similar test in Colorado, the CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program).
I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea, but the teachers start teaching directly to the tests... and I'm not kidding. It doesn't matter whether a class covers a year's material anymore, just whether a student can pass the CSAP.
It's too bad really...

[Blistering Winds]

Teachers will teach directly to the test till they figure out how to juggle it all.

Most of the teachers I have had and delt with have it down. They get to still have their "current discussions", teach what is needed for the test, etc.

We'll see a change and settlement over the next several years, as teachers get use to the test, figure out their curriculum better, etc. It took Texas several years to settle down looking back. I grew up taking the TAAS, and several other kinds of testing. before the TAKS was full in effect. It took 5+ years for teachers to calm down about the TAAS. It has been........OMG, 12 years since I took the TAAS. UGH. LOL TAKS came into play not too long ago, and has taken over from 3rd grade up....a few grades are still adjusting, but give it 5 years, you'll see teachers calming down, districts falling into place, and the curriculum change some to incorporate more than just the test. Because teachers right now are playing "catch up".

The nice thing about standardizing the nation, EVERYONE is on the same track! If you have to move, your kids aren't behind or way ahead of the school they are entering. I was looking at Wichita alone. go from One high school....drive up to the next one...and they are 2 GRADE LEVELS apart. What was being taught at 5th grade in one school...., was a 7th grade level at another....SAME SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Still don't understand that one.

In Texas, and I believe about 4 other states before NCLB came into play, You go from Dallas to small town Canyon, and your child may be a few chapters off, not a few GRADE LEVELS off.

Ok, rambling. LMAO

[kashmirjumper]

Originally Posted by TrickPony

They have a very similar test in Colorado, the CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program).
I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea, but the teachers start teaching directly to the tests... and I'm not kidding. It doesn't matter whether a class covers a year's material anymore, just whether a student can pass the CSAP.
It's too bad really...

CSAP days. I hated that test. None of the TEACHERS I had even really believed in it. But the schools made/make such a huge deal out of it.

[reinerdude22]

I dont think the Federal Gov't should have any hand in Education, so im sure you can figure out what I think about no-child left behind.

[arabgirl15]

Originally Posted by reinerdude22

I dont think the Federal Gov't should have any hand in Education, so im sure you can figure out what I think about no-child left behind.

Yeah I know. I'm with you.
Here is what happened with my sister who is 7.

When we lived in TX, she was in one of the 'gifted' classes, but the teacher also had some below average kids. Most was gifted though. Anne (my sister) got done with her work early, b/c it was easy for her. then, the she helped some of the other kids that were below average who needed help. So she wasn't learning really and being a tutor.

[Blistering Winds]

You don't think the federal govt should step in? Really? Cause the states haven't improved over the years, actually gotten worse in my opinion.

I had people in my classes that moved from other states that couldn't read in 9th grade because they were PUSHED through. WHY? Honestly, because they were trouble makers and teachers didn't want to deal with them.

The Fed govt stepped in because the reading level of graduating students is rediculous. There are STILL PEOPLE graduating who cannot read CAT, DOG, SEE SPOT RUN.

My best friend in high school failed her first round. Why? Because she didn't have the basics. She was an HONORS STUDENT, KNEW MOST higher level math, but could not do simple math without a calculator. THAT is what these tests are catching. She wasn't upset. She knew her limitations, and the test definitly confirmed it. She was a 4.0 student too. She passed it the next round with flying colors.

Even without testing, teachers have a curriculum. They usually don't go faster than what they set out because they can get in trouble with the school district from what I found out. So even if your sister was gifted, had finished her work WITHOUT the testing, she would STILL be asked to help with the other students. Nothing wrong with that. Some kids can't learn from a teacher, but can from other students. I tutored several myself in science.

Even without the testing, teachers are SUPPOSED to stick to their written schedule. Unfortunately, they aren't. Which is why the federal govt needed to step in.

Is it fair, if you move, for your child to literally be set back from the 11th to the 9th grade because they aren't caught up to the point for THAT particular school? Is it fair for an elementary student of 5th grade to be told, sorry, you are too far behind, you have to go sit with the 4th graders.......I HAVE SEEN IT! It is SAD that our school system nation wide is SOOOO DIFFERENT.

no one has come up with anything that has standardized it yet, and all systems will have bugs, critics, etc. I say, TOUGH because to me, it is better than what we had before.

At least now, as the schools all get on the same track. They all teach algebra at the same grade, History is at the same level, etc.....those students, ESPECIALLY MILITARY students, don't suffer and fall through the cracks because they came from a school that had a "lower standard" curriculum.

I've been to both rich and poor funded schools. Got the same kind of education at both because Texas has been standardized across the state since I can remember.

how is that so bad?

Hopefully, the tests can be gotten rid of. But until then, what else are we to do to catch those that are being PUSHED through the system because the teacher is afraid of them, or that the teacher just doesn't want to deal with them???

Are there students that are causing the problem? YEP. And teachers that I know of that have them, keep a journal to Cover their rear in the event that student comes back to haunt them through the scores. They can go back and give an accurate account of WHY that student didn't do well on the TAKS test. And today, they STILL have their jobs. One has had a few, because she works down in South San Antonio.....a place that has a VERY LOW success compared to the rest of the city. She still has her job, because she tries, she is no tolerance....and she keeps track of those that really don't want to learn to cover herself against the school board.