No Pass, No Grad

[AKIron]

Originally posted by RAIDER14
Taks Example

I think the 2 hardest test out of all of them were the writing and  biology TAKS
(I did not take the test featured in the link)

Thanks. I looked at it briefly. I could see some questions that might be tough for many high schoolers but most of the questions seemed appropriate to the level of education expected of a high school grad.

[lasersailor184]

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
ummm

How does one finish at the top of their class and then fail the knowledge assessment test?

Grades and knowledge are not synonymous.  I can get straight A's in all the Home Economics class, but that doesn't mean I'm smart.

[Meatwad]

What is home economics? Never heard of that class

Nevermind - Family and consumer sciences, human sciences, human ecology or home economics, is an academic discipline which combines aspects of consumer science, nutrition, cooking, parenting and human development, interior decoration, textiles, family economics, housing, apparel design and resource management as well as other related subjects


I never took that class in school. Guess thats why I am sitting here eating half thawed/frozen buffalo popcorn chicken bites straight out of the bag.





I think I would of definately hated that class. Besides, they would make me put sausage on my pizza

[Maverick]

Originally posted by Gunthr
you'd think a parent would be upset at the school system for failing to adequately prepare thier kid for college and for the working world.  

black leaders fostered the victim's mentality and this is the result: victims.

Don't assume the school is the sole responsible party for a student passing the course, class or school.

There are 3 aspects to educating a young person.

The first is the student. Anyone unwilling to do anything but warm the seat (minimum conduct to remain in a school) will not learn no matter what quality of education is presented. It's the old lead a horse to water bit.

The second is the parent(s) impact on the student. Those who think educators are the only responsible party and feel their job is done by merely sending the kids out the door to school fail their own kids. They don't make sure their kids do their homework or study. They also fail to be concerned for the progress, if any, their kids make.

The third part is the school and teacher. The material has to be presented in a manner that engages as many of the students learning styles as possible with care to see that comprehension is made and careful testing to determine the need for additional teaching or moving to the next material. The school needs to have a decent and comfortable environment secure from outside interruptions and things that detract from learning. Hopefully the school will minimise the interruptions to the learning environment and limit the assemblies and other things that take away from class time.

All three of these things are needed for a student to progress and really obtain an education versus occupying a seat for the years required by law. If the kid isn't prepared for college look for the problem to be in all 3 areas. As far as preparing the kid for the working world, that isn't the purpose of High School any more. They don't teach industrial arts to the extent that it really qualifies a student for a job. Trade schools and apprentice situations handle that job after High School.

[Sandman]

Exit exams are a waste of time.

They start exit testing in California during the sophomore year. My kids both passed and yet there was still two full years of school to go.

I have my doubts about the utility of these tests.

[Sandman]

Originally posted by rpm
One of the problems with TAKS is schools have stopped teaching the course and started teaching the test. Higher test scores mean more state and federal money. Whether the kids actually learn anything is secondary.

B I N G O .

[AKIron]

A good test even if taught means someone learned something if they can pass it. Of course I'm not talking about outright cheating by giving away test answers.

I guess the question comes down to do we want to trivialize high school diplomas by giving them to anyone who does the time, whether they can even read or not?

[john9001]

<One of the problems with TAKS is schools have stopped teaching the course and started teaching the test. Higher test scores mean more state and federal money. Whether the kids actually learn anything is secondary.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>



well if they are teaching for the tests, the schools are not doing a very good job if the kids fail.

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by rpm
One of the problems with TAKS is schools have stopped teaching the course and started teaching the test. Higher test scores mean more state and federal money. Whether the kids actually learn anything is secondary.

A major problem is that lawmakers compare schools in affluent areas with those in poor areas.  They see that the students at the poor schools perform very poorly compared to those at the wealthier schools.  They assume that the staff at the poor school must be slacking and threaten to take away the teacher’s jobs or cut their salaries or budgets if they don’t perform better.  Many schools are put in an impossible predicament.

It’s like saying that all horse ranches must be able to get all of their horses up to racing caliber speeds and defining a “horse” as a: horse, donkey, mule or ox.  Oh yea, you can’t sell or put down a lame horse either.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by rpm


link

[Meatwad]

/hijack

How can you ignore yourself, is that like not listening to the voice in your head?  

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by rpm

 

OMFG!!!   That sign is t3h h4xx0r!

[bj229r]

Originally posted by Sandman
Exit exams are a waste of time.

They start exit testing in California during the sophomore year. My kids both passed and yet there was still two full years of school to go.

I have my doubts about the utility of these tests.

Your doubts need to be directed toward the CA school system--saw similar thing in FLA some years ago--my cousin--bright kid, but behavioral nightmare--went to Catholic school for first 6 years...in 7th, went to public. Flunked--spent some time at summer school, squeaked by. (HE refused to do anything like homework, though he aced all his tests) flunked 8th grade twice, never even ENTERED high school. Took GED without any preparatory classes at all, aced it. I repeat, never ENTERED high school. In both areas, it would appear the bright kids are tied down with boat anchors so the walking doorknobs and stoners don't get too far behind. I remember in VA in the 60's and early 70's, there were some 5 groups of kids, all with innocuous names, but we ALL knew what group was what--the brightest on one end, the losers on the other. (How is a kid who is ready for Algebra NOT gonna fall asleep when put in same class with kids who haven't mastered @##%@#%# times tables?) Political correctness ended the above scenario, which may not have been the best for afore-mentioned losers, but DAMN sure screwed the bright kids. Now the end goal seems to be getting the walking doorknobs to pass the test. Thats why I got the hell out of the Tampa,FL public school system and raised my kid here in Roanoke. Too bad for kids like yours Sandy, but bright kids can always work harder than the school mandates.

[Chairboy]

Geez, what a bunch of morans!

[Odee]

Hey I got an idea!  Let's cheapen even more the value of EDUCATION in American society.

Originally posted by Maverick
To allow those who did not achieve the standard to have a graduation is to cheapen the graduation for those who DID earn it. If you are going to shove everyone accross the stage then it's not a graduation, it's a sham.

Well said, Mav.  Saddly, the 1D10T's out there will never understand it.