tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post4694356085032379877..comments2024-03-27T08:53:29.267-04:00Comments on CURMUDGUCATION: NY: Test Prep VacationPeter Greenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16511193640285760299noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-78073548332517791992018-03-30T09:32:36.918-04:002018-03-30T09:32:36.918-04:00The testing days may have been shortened, but they...The testing days may have been shortened, but they are just as gruelling. 6 short responses and an essay on day 2 is a ridiculous way to assess children. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-57010767201106881972018-03-30T08:19:38.363-04:002018-03-30T08:19:38.363-04:00The New York State CC math and ELA tests about to ...The New York State CC math and ELA tests about to be administered in grades 3 to 8 are still under a statewide moratorium. NYS students do not take PARCC or SBAC exams, instead they are now developed by Questar Assessment (formerly written by Pearson). The moratorium prevents the use of scores on our APPR evaluations. Instead the vast majority of school districts are using shared scores from high school Regents exams in algebra (9), biology (9), ELA (11), global history (9, 10), and US history (11) to evaluate ALL teachers. So yes, for the majority of NYS teachers, 50% of their APPR score is based on subjects and students they do not teach. We are so far down the rabbit hole that calling the 3 to 8 tests meaningless is an insult to all that is moot or irrelevant.<br /><br />On a positive note, NYS has reduced the number of testing days for math and ELA, from 6 to 4; however tests are now administered with no time limits. There has also been a gradual switch to computers for math testing. All of these changes make any kind of yearly comparisons a bigger stretch than ever. Bottom line: the thrill is gone.NY Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06584135103498426410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534665086749553287.post-59724185364382800502018-03-29T21:47:13.558-04:002018-03-29T21:47:13.558-04:00I don't know whether this is germane, but: ab...I don't know whether this is germane, but: about 15 years ago I participated in a couple of Saturday "test prep" sessions. I had bought the company line about "bubble students" and was paid for my extra efforts. Since then my thinking has evolved. I celebrate my awakening, and I recognize that it is possible for others to evolve in their thinking as well. But I also despair in the amount of time it will take, and that not everyone will make that cognitive leap. And I can't really be sanctimonious about it, because I was just as clueless not that long ago. My point? Not sure, but I appreciate the persistent efforts of everyone who continues to beat the drum against this pernicious futility. It is frustrating to have to keep repeating oneself, but I believe it is ultimately helpful. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01638646078223591586noreply@blogger.com