Grapevine says we start FAIR testing the first week of December.
Not sure about everyone else but I lost 8 days in September to FAIR testing. I figure that this will measure my influence of 12 weeks - at best. About the only accurate measurement for that time span would be hair growth and schedule changes!
Its not even enough time to add the necessary computer internet bandwidth.
Am I the only one that thinks this bus is careening down the mountain barely under control?
-Bill Gates should promote
"learning" the way Microsoft
is promoting Windows 7.
Let's see what he can do to
counter what the kids are
being bombarded with.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
WORTHY OF YOUR SIGNATURE
Saturday, September 19, 2009
GERBIL-GATE
This whole incident screams for understanding.
The district sounds like they are in full damage control.
It will be interesting if more such instances come to light.
So many factors contributed to this but the increased workload and decreased prep time brought about by the superintendent's 6 of 7 dictate were a major factor.
So many tired and stressed employees at all levels are making mistakes. Mostly minor oversights but, like this, major ones occur.
Some of us will respond "that's no excuse" and you are right. All decisions have unforeseen and cumulative consequences, this is one.
Superintendent Elia is too far removed from this to care. So is the HCTA.
The principal is not. The student body is not. The community is not.
The teachers are not - thank God one or more of them spoke out.
Are there others? Are there more?
The district sounds like they are in full damage control.
It will be interesting if more such instances come to light.
So many factors contributed to this but the increased workload and decreased prep time brought about by the superintendent's 6 of 7 dictate were a major factor.
So many tired and stressed employees at all levels are making mistakes. Mostly minor oversights but, like this, major ones occur.
Some of us will respond "that's no excuse" and you are right. All decisions have unforeseen and cumulative consequences, this is one.
Superintendent Elia is too far removed from this to care. So is the HCTA.
The principal is not. The student body is not. The community is not.
The teachers are not - thank God one or more of them spoke out.
Are there others? Are there more?
Friday, September 18, 2009
FAIRly RIDICULOUS
I am NOT the only one shaking their heads over FAIR testing.
The moment school started we were focused on getting our computers "ready", classes scheduled.
Curriculum be damned! Full speed ahead.
What we got was another broken state program.
Not enough bandwidth. Spinning and crashing. Rebooting, restarting.
What we got was another slapped together district response.
Not enough space and too little cooling.
What we will get is invalid data. Why?
Nobody tests well when they are hot, uncomfortable and frustrated. Teachers can't fight the students' realization that the program sucks, is a waste of their time and yet affects their future in very real terms. We spend countless hours hearing and promoting test prep and then permit such a torturous environment to evolve.
This is where we need Bill Gates NOT in the teacher evaluation arena!
The moment school started we were focused on getting our computers "ready", classes scheduled.
Curriculum be damned! Full speed ahead.
What we got was another broken state program.
Not enough bandwidth. Spinning and crashing. Rebooting, restarting.
What we got was another slapped together district response.
Not enough space and too little cooling.
What we will get is invalid data. Why?
Nobody tests well when they are hot, uncomfortable and frustrated. Teachers can't fight the students' realization that the program sucks, is a waste of their time and yet affects their future in very real terms. We spend countless hours hearing and promoting test prep and then permit such a torturous environment to evolve.
This is where we need Bill Gates NOT in the teacher evaluation arena!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Are We Really Data Driven?
DeKalb County School Watch blog has raised the same "show me the data" question about Springboard that Hillsborough raised years ago.
College Board "promotes" Springboard as Rigor and readiness for AP® and college success and provides select research summaries to support the program.
In all honesty, has our District generated any Springboard related data?
Am I the only one who suspects the District of selectively using data?
Do our leaders have the integrity to pull the plug on an ineffective program in time to avoid really damaging our kids?
Will those parents of "average and above average students" continue to acquiesce to the needs of the "below average" demographic?
Remember a level playing field provides no challenging hills or mountains.
College Board "promotes" Springboard as Rigor and readiness for AP® and college success and provides select research summaries to support the program.
In all honesty, has our District generated any Springboard related data?
Am I the only one who suspects the District of selectively using data?
Do our leaders have the integrity to pull the plug on an ineffective program in time to avoid really damaging our kids?
Will those parents of "average and above average students" continue to acquiesce to the needs of the "below average" demographic?
Remember a level playing field provides no challenging hills or mountains.
Friday, June 26, 2009
MY HAND IS POLITELY RAISED
The exams have been taken, scored, curved, and students received their grades.
The FCAT has been taken, scored, scaled, and schools have received their grades.
Springboard has been implemented county-wide for the entire year - some schools have used it longer.
Teachers have had training, observations, retraining and review.
As skeptical as I am about Springboard, I was determined to give it my best shot.
*The kids exam grades were mediocre.
*The kids FCAT scores were mediocre.
*My school's grade dropped.
I failed.
No M.A.P.S. No Performance Pay. I failed.
We are owed an examination of all the data.
*How closely (if at all) does Springboard correlate with FCAT and the Sunshine State Standards?
*Are we teaching the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful on the FCAT?
*Since Springboard is the child of the SAT, how did our kids do and how do our kids compare with those who have not been exposed to Springboard?
*Can we make a determination about Springboards efficacy?
I did my part to the best of my ability with one LESS planning period Ms. Elia. I am not alone.
We are owed an explanation of the data.
The FCAT has been taken, scored, scaled, and schools have received their grades.
Springboard has been implemented county-wide for the entire year - some schools have used it longer.
Teachers have had training, observations, retraining and review.
As skeptical as I am about Springboard, I was determined to give it my best shot.
*The kids exam grades were mediocre.
*The kids FCAT scores were mediocre.
*My school's grade dropped.
I failed.
No M.A.P.S. No Performance Pay. I failed.
We are owed an examination of all the data.
*How closely (if at all) does Springboard correlate with FCAT and the Sunshine State Standards?
*Are we teaching the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful on the FCAT?
*Since Springboard is the child of the SAT, how did our kids do and how do our kids compare with those who have not been exposed to Springboard?
*Can we make a determination about Springboards efficacy?
I did my part to the best of my ability with one LESS planning period Ms. Elia. I am not alone.
We are owed an explanation of the data.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
NOTHING COUNTS - NOBODY CARES #5
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