tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post4559057016833204098..comments2024-03-28T19:47:39.985-04:00Comments on CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Graduation Test In Trouble (Again)Peter Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16511193640285760299noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-92103584099316181022017-11-21T11:07:40.008-05:002017-11-21T11:07:40.008-05:00"Mind you, I'm not supposed to know that...."Mind you, I'm not supposed to know that. The PA DOE Code of Ethics says that I should never set eyes on the test itself, and if I accidentally see anything, I should make myself forget it. We are supposed to remain ignorant of the test except in the most general terms, and the students have to swear not to talk about them either. We are all not only supposed to hit the target, but we're supposed to do it blindfolded. That way the test manufacturers won't have to spend money rebuilding the test every year the integrity of the test will be maintained."<br /><br />"Reading these technical reports might suggest to a layperson, even a highly educated one, that testocrats have disappeared so far up their own butts that they are now viewing the world through the tiny little lenses of their own belly buttons."<br /><br />For the sake of argument, let's say that exit exams are a good idea as requirements for either awarding a diploma or for determining the type of diploma awarded. Such exams should be carefully crafted and the designers of the test need to make available specific, relevant preparation materials. Moreover, after the test has been in existence for, say, 3 years the old test should be released and done so every three years afterward.That way teachers and students would be familiar with the format & philosophy of the test designers. All "free-response" questions (i.e. essays, stories, math 'word problems', science problems, etc.) should be released every year. I can speak for SC in this: Unfortunately these tests were released in a hurry and much of each exam was designed by testing amateurs. The sense I get now is that nearly every state changes the exam supplier & the requirements demanded every couple of years, so there is seldom a valid exam given. Valid exams are not developed over short periods of time. And it is a job for real pros. <br /><br />Leads to the second quote:<br />For the writers of valid exams, this type of analysis IS necessary. Every question needs to be analyzed over which parts of the curriculum is covered and (tricky here) how well the question actually addresses the parts. Moreover, each question has to be analyzed on how the students' responses match up with the top scorers, the bottom scorers & the mean & median scorers. (If 90% of the bottom scorers get a response correct, but only 10% of the top scorers got it right, is the question valid?) Yes, gazing up their navels through tiny lenses. <br /><br />Short story made long: IF such exams are to be required, they have to be a hell of a lot better than they currently exist.<br /><br />fizzicks numbershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01913370100937432939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-32609739254875551382017-11-18T22:24:04.466-05:002017-11-18T22:24:04.466-05:00You've asked a lot of questions here, so I'...You've asked a lot of questions here, so I'll ask a couple of my own: is there (or should there be) a demonstrable standard or standards for the acquisition of a high school diploma? Whereby if one does not complete X, a person does not receive one? <br /><br />In short: should there be the proverbial line in the sand? <br /><br />Secondly, If I did have concerns that awarding him this diploma would degrade the value of a high school diploma, would this necessarily be a bad thing? LSmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671049908828427975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-8472005754848851292017-11-18T19:48:40.045-05:002017-11-18T19:48:40.045-05:00Why would you begrudge this young man a high schoo...Why would you begrudge this young man a high school diploma? Would he be better off without one? Would all of the other members of the Class of 2018 be better off if the HSAP was the one barrier he could not surmount? Would his fellow classmates really think less of their diploma if he received one as well? Would his transcript look that much different if a failing HSAP grade was included? Are you seriously concerned that a cognitively impaired young man’s best efforts will degrade the value of a high school diploma? Would you have written this comment if he were your son?NY Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08292448959963091160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-79921812050848987142017-11-18T11:23:11.745-05:002017-11-18T11:23:11.745-05:00So I'll agree with everything you said here, b...So I'll agree with everything you said here, but add that there's something that may have changed my mind about the whole thing. Here in SC, students until three years ago had to pass the Big Test called the HSAP to graduate. It was a general test of math and reading skills that they first started taking in the 10th grade and would take at least once per semester through their senior year until they passed it. They even could come back after their senior year to take it if they had passed all of their coursework. <br /><br />However, I got a student this semester that is in my senior-level required-to-graduate Government and Economics class who was, for at least one year (maybe two...details seem to be hard to come by) of his high school career, in self-contained classes due to academic performance. His dad decided to mainstream him for his senior year. He was recommended to be tested for autism in middle school but never was, and only now, have the tests just finished. While we wait on full diagnostics from the school psychologist, I can tell the results so far show his IQ his to be 67. I don't need to wait to tell you (as you said in yesterday's article) that the data I've gathered about this kid have led me to believe that--and I hope anyone reading this will believe me that I say this as an 18-year veteran with a heavy heart--it is educational malpractice to have this kid earn a diploma. It is a true devaluation of the piece of paper it's written on.<br /><br />And yes, by god he WILL get it. Dad decrees it so. My principal decrees it so, and his case manager, who is literally my closest friend I've ever made in a school setting, decrees it so. His IEP require I give him a copy of the tests and quizzes (with answers) to take in his resource class. Even if he failed, his grade would be changed. <br /><br />So why do I bring this up? The HSAP would be the last line of defense for a minimum competency to be reached, and there's no way he'd pass it, sad to say. I never, NEVER thought I'd look fondly on the day when I had to give this test...but now is that day and it has thrown me for a loop.LSmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671049908828427975noreply@blogger.com