The hype is already beginning in school districts across the state about how students did so much better this year on the state's testing program.
The improved performance shouldn't be much of a surprise considering how for the first time elementary and middle schools were allowed to count passing scores on retests. That fact got only a brief mention in some school district press releases.
(To be fair, you could get the info from Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools if you dug past the press release to click on the attachments.)
“This is great news," said Gaston County Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon in a press release. "We are extremely pleased to see the significant increases in reading, math and science at both the elementary and middle schools. We said last year that we were going to improve and we did."
Similar gushing words were made by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Superintendent Peter Gorman in his district's press release.
“The numbers are going in the right direction and we’re very pleased about that,” Gorman said.
Charlotte's results show how much retesting helped. For instance, the passing rate rose seven percentage points on the math EOGs and eight percentage points in the reading EOGs when you include the retests
The Charlotte Observer reported last week that CMS gave just over 48,800 retests this past school year.
Wake, like most school districts, hasn't released its results yet. But you can expect the district to also see a bump this year from the retests.
Michael Evans, Wake's chief communications officer, is quoted in the Charlotte Observer article as saying Wake officials aren't sure retesting is worth the staff time and expense.
“Plus you're putting kids who aren't academically successful under additional stress,” he said in the article.
Comments
EOG and othe Educational Concerns
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 10:07 — creativeteacher8I am a former educator, just recently out of the classroom who was so concerned about changes in education, I have created my own blog in which I air my concerns daily. I welcome you to my site which is:
http://www.creativeteacher8.blogspot.com
The 3 most recent posts have been on No Child Left Behind and the validity of tests. I welcome other viewpoints. Perhaps from you I can get some clarity on these nagging issues.
That is...
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 10:28 — RiversideRealist"Republicans have come to be anti everything – taxes, immigration, minorities, diversity, environment, gay, etc. so an effort to equalize education across student segments did not seem Republican to me."
That is the most disgusting, prejudiced, ignorant and downright STUPID statement that I have read on this blog in a LONG time -- and that's saying something!
That you folks continue to engage this imbecile is beyond me. ANYONE who can make a statement like the one above is clearly suffering from cranial-rectum inversion syndrome.
Retesting
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 06:28 — RMC10There is so much emphasis placed on this test - and it is important. The students practice, practice and practice. Our teacher this year virtually quit teaching new materials, and our homework consisted of about 1.5 hours each night online to Study Island. The task was boring for children, and they hated doing it for 5 weeks, every night. It had similar (or real) - who knows, questions from the EOG's. They took written practice tests daily. We went online and pulled down mock EOG's and worked them at home, and went over the important points of math and science in the books. We were one of the lucky ones, we passed all three the first time round.These students this year were very prepared, especially at Olive Chapel.
Again though as always - follow the money. Retesting improves not only the bottom line dollars and bonuses paid, plus under the NCLB reduces the chance of being tagged a school showing no improvement or failuree, losing funds and further sanctions. NCLB should be reescinded. For the years it has been in efect (thank you again George W.), teachers in many states and schools have cheated by changing answers for students, giving nods to correct answers during test time, or even completing tests for at risk children (just check internet for these stories).
Take away the NCLB, remove bonuses from these tests, make schools at the district level accountable with one test, and quit cheating the system - with fake scores. Again even with retests last year and reading results being released late in fall, most WCPSS schools scored lower in all 3 test areas over the previous years, when retesting was not allowed. Busing has reduced scores in almost all schools where the percent of bussed students were high. Just move those kids in and mess up scores all over - so no one place looks bad. Money, Real Estate values and Political bragging rights.
NCLB should be reescinded.
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 07:16 — gwaihirNCLB should be reescinded. For the years it has been in efect (thank you again George W.),
=======
Don't forget Edward Kennedy too - the other NCLB sponsor.
In fact, I read somewhere that one of the reasons that Kennedy endorsed Obama was that Obama supported NCLB, whilst Hillary Clinton had been critical of it.
Kennedy also pushed to get NCLB re-authorized without any major changes to it, when the time came.
Personally, I was amazed
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 08:07 — user1234Personally, I was amazed the GWB championed NCLB. Republicans have come to be anti everything – taxes, immigration, minorities, diversity, environment, gay, etc. so an effort to equalize education across student segments did not seem Republican to me. Republicans seem to be more “survival of the fittest” which disenfranchised groups typically lose. Before school systems could depend on a few very smart upper income white kids to skew the scores and move the “average” while whole segments of kids (Black, Hispanic, Low Income, Limited English, etc.) failed in bigger and bigger numbers. They would find ways of excluding the non-performers / low scorers from the test pool through expulsions and suspensions to “juke the stats”. We know that in the next 30 years Whites will be a minority so depending on a shrinking group of kids is bad policy. I agree the NCLB implementation is flawed but the concept of not allowing certain segments of society to be neglected in quite progressive. Hopefully, they will come up with a less onerous way of verifying the intent of improvement across all segments with less and smarter testing.
The source of your amazement was confusion
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 14:57 — FalcRepublicans haven't "come to be" anti-everything, but some have MADE THEM OUT to be. There's a big difference and people should try not to get confused by it. Then, they won't be amazed by things like GWB championing NCLB.
That phrase "the bigotry of low expectations" that struck such a cord with me came from an essay written by a black Republican. I heard another black Republican speak about how Republicans believe in teaching people how to fish to get themselves out of poverty instead of a giving them a fish which just feeds them for a day.
Philosophical question - are people who think minorities are capable enough to pull themselves up and need a hand up instead of a handout 'anti-minority'?
I have a gay self-professed conservative neighbor. Nelson Dollar, a Republican, sponsored the legislation to protect the Swift Creek watershed. I know Republicans who work for the Nature Conservancy. You get the picture.
You can't just go by labels and make assumptions. You have to look what's underneath.
As a Republican, I can say I
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 21:42 — user1234As a Republican, I can say I am ashamed of the party. They have come to be simple a party that is against everything the Democrats are for and they sold their soul to the religious right to get votes. I am glad you have individual Republican neighbors who open and diverse …. What I am talking about it the party not the few good people you know …So, what is my proof … look at any news article that involved immigration … which party is organizing the protests … have some gay imitative and which party is trying to stop it … if there is a movement to reduce greenhouse gas, limit pollution, etc. which party is trying to stop it … the Republican Party has painted itself into a corner expelling gays, immigrants, environmentalist, etc … such that they are running out of supporters ....southern white males are not a growing segment… my hope is that they will get back to their roots but I think they will need to sink some more until the get the message and kick out the old guard leadership ...…
Hmm..
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 23:07 — Bob_SconceThe Democrats are also a party that's against everything the Republicans are for. After the last 8 years, it's really hard to make any other claim.
As to the "religious right," both parties are beholden to their bases. That's why Obama has, for example, been pushing to get rid of secret ballots in union elections.
I happen to be a republican, but I'm disgusted by both parties. It's absurd to claim that either party has any integrity or truly has the interest of the country at heart. Individual politicians may, but the parties themselves are both morally bankrupt.
"It's absurd to claim that
Sat, 07/04/2009 - 16:36 — CaryCurmudgeon"It's absurd to claim that either party has any integrity or truly has
the interest of the country at heart. Individual politicians may, but
the parties themselves are both morally bankrupt."
Bob,
Well said. The political parties' objectives are to gain and hold power, nothing more. You might consider joining us Unaffiliateds, we are the fastest growing party in the country.
You know you don't sound like a Republican
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 01:29 — Falcor someone who knows that much about the issues. Maybe that is because you don't have a TV, don't really follow politics (or however you put it in your other post), and don't get out much.
You do sound like that Democratic commentator - what's his name James Carvelle or something like that. That was his line right, about Republicans being just a bunch of grumpy white men.
Of course, maybe I need to follow things better because I've missed all those Republican protests you say they organize. A bunch of just grumpy old or southern white men led by their black party chairman marching on Washington with posters, signs and some good chants "hey hey ho ho..." sure would be interesting to see.
It would also be helpful if you could post the names of all those expelled Republicans and have them share their personal stories about being expelled.
Right now, the only growing politicial affiliation is "unaffiliated" because many people aren't impressed by either party.
"or someone who knows that
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 08:43 — user1234"or someone who knows that much about the issues. Maybe that is because you don't have a TV, don't really follow politics (or however you put it in your other post), and don't get out much. "
Falc, don't confuse TV with the sole source of news ... I do read a lot ... unitl Repbublican can acknowledge the flaws and develop a new stradegy they are in trouble in my mind ... which is sad because we don't have a healthy two party system ...
Hmm...
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 09:43 — Bob_SconceThat's quite a strawman. I can set up an equally absurd charicature of democrats, but why bother -- we all know what it would look like.
You have to look at the history of NCLB. Originally, it was intended to be a way to close down schools which consistently failed their populations. But, as it passed through the sausage-making in Congress, it was turned into its current incarnation.
Note that a big chunk of NCLB's failure comes from the state implementation -- the EOGs and EOCs and SCOS are all determined at the state level. Even so, I agree that NCLB creates bizarre incentives for schools and teachers. It's not particularly fair to blame them for reacting to those incentives.
However, any system of improving school performance has to include some way of measuring that performance. It may be that a single test is a lousy way of doing it, but I haven't heard any better alternatives. You cannot just take the district's word for it -- "Sure, the numbers show that this school stinks, but we think it's a 'healthy school'."
The point is, NCLB was
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 08:48 — gwaihirThe point is, NCLB was bipartisan.
The larger point is, that the Wake schools mess is bipartisan in it's creation. And anti-NCLB folks who drag in GWB without acknowledging Kennedy, are trying yet again to inject partisanship.
putting kids under additional stress
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 18:11 — Mudcrutch“Plus you're putting kids who aren't academically successful under additional stress,” he said in the article.
Since when did Michael Evans care about putting kids under additional stress?
It is true that this years retests are new and required by the state. At my childrens' school the teachers and administrators felt horrible for the kids that had to go through this testing again.
The state educators making these decisions at the state level should have to see the faces of the kids who get an envelope sent home a couple of days after EOG's. Then they should have to continue to watch as these children are called to another room just a few days later for retesting. ALL the kids know what the letters are for and there is no way to handle the retests without others students knowing who is being retested. I know of several families whose children were almost hysterical because of the stress of having to take the test again and the humiliation of having their classmates know.This process is so humiliating and frustrating to students that I can't imagine many do better.
There are several versions of each test that are color coated: blue, red, brown, green. Students should not be taking the exact same test unless the testing administrator has made a mistake.
I am amazed, there's just no
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 17:08 — dryeraseuserI am amazed, there's just no winning with you folks. I can't believe so many people are so against a child retesting and using that test as a factor in the overall perfermance of school. Many of these kids that retested are great students, but suck at taking a test. Just be thankful that they passed. Don't tear down these children, just over your personal feelings toward WCPSS.
Pfft...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 20:30 — Bob_SconceThe issue is that the retest has the effect of improving the measured performance of a school when the *actual* performance of the school doesn't change. It's just cooking the books.
It's also not a matter of tearing down students. EOG scores, at least at the elementary level, have no effect on a student's grades or whether they have to retake their current grade. Their ONLY purpose is to measure the performance of the teacher and the student. Heck, last year's reading EOG scores didn't even come out until half way through the following school year. Did any students have their grades change, or end up pulled back into the previous year because of their EOG score? I think not.
Retesting was not done with students in mind -- it was all about making schools look better.
They are a bitter group
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 18:39 — user1234They are a bitter group sometimes
Test Content
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 16:45 — KnightdaleParentIt is my understanding that not all concepts are tested on each version of the test. Therefore, a student may fail one test because it deals with fractions but pass the retest because it contains no fractions. EOGs are not like true standardized tests (Iowa, California) that test all areas on each test.
My Two Cents
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:05 — FalcThis issue seems to be a mixed bag. It seems the intent is to move some of the borderline scores from the "failing" side to the "passing" side (thus, no need to include Level I).
Anyone can have a bad test day, so on one hand I can see having kids retest (a friend had a bad day on college entrance exam (testing anxiety), retested and scored 33% higher). It does seem odd that they retake the exact same questions though. On the other hand, EOGs are just one piece in the body of evidence to determine if a student should be promoted or not, so it is not clear to what extent the retest benefits the student.
Now, for school systems it does increase the percentage of students that pass. I imagine this percentage weighs into meeting AYP/NCLB.
I agree with Bob that both sets of data should be made available to allow for both (apples to apples) year over year comparison and comparison to other districts in the current year, which pretty much forces WCPSS's hand even if WCPSS thinks retesting is a waste.
It will be interesting to see how forthright the state and individual districts across the state are about mentioning retesting as a driver of year over year differences or if they just put that in the fine print. Here's to hoping they remember the seven character traits and do the right thing.
EOG Retests - Isn't It Like - Cheating
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 10:13 — RMC10I wrote to the state Dept of Education, and the Federal NCLB board about this retesting. It is cheating at it's best, and teaches students that it's okay to cheat. Fifth graders knew they were able to be retested, and my daughter even mentioned that retest when I was reminding her during the test days how important it was to do good. Students in her class were retested within days of the original test. We were not notified for over a week as to whether we had passed or not (ostensibly to allow for retest time before releasing results).
This clearly sends the wrong message - IT IS NOT OKAY TO CHEAT ON TESTS WITH RETESTS - it also completely falsifies the schools academic achievement levels - and falsely makes schools look better to the public, but hey it improves the money coming in (also falsely).
There should only be one test, one time, and live with the grades. Anytime a district or school puts a bonus on the line - it encourages cheating by that teacher, school, district, state...
“It is cheating at it's
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 12:35 — user1234“It is cheating at it's best, and teaches students that it's okay to cheat.”
Not sure how?
“Fifth graders knew they were able to be retested, and my daughter even mentioned that retest when I was reminding her during the test days how important it was to do good. “
So, your daughter likes to live on the edge ….
“We were not notified for over a week as to whether we had passed or not (ostensibly to allow for retest time before releasing results).”
I think the default is kids pass so no notice is good news … the full court press comes for those students who did not pass barely and have a good chance of passing the second time around. If your daughter had not passed you would have known it.
“There should only be one test, one time, and live with the grades.”
Sort of like the SAT, GMAT, LSAT, etc. …. One shot and you’re out?
User 1234
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:08 — RMC10Yes, you betcha - if the WCPSS and other districts are truly touting that the new curriculum and diversity policy and busing and reassignment is truly working and that scores are improving and there is true achievement improvement, and since retesting students was statewide approved last year, then you have to go back to that original testing cirteria (no retesting) to show true improvement. Otherwise it's an apples to oranges false comparison of true achievement.
DUH
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 08:36 — AngelaWCharlotte's results show how much retesting helped. For instance, the passing rate rose seven percentage points on the math EOGs and eight percentage points in the reading EOGs when you include the retests
retests are the SAME test aren't they?
I'm not quite sure what
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 08:56 — KeungHui (author)I'm not quite sure what you're asking. If you failed a retest that still only counted as one test, not two. If you passed the retest they pretended the original failed test didn't take place and just counted the second one, boosting the passing rate for the school and district.
meaning the test (questions)
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:00 — AngelaWmeaning the test (questions) are the same?
Yes...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:11 — Bob_SconceA 5th grader I know retook the science test, and she said it was the same test.
It's a fraud. It's beyond shameful that districts would talk about how much better they're doing. If Wake follows suit, we will know something about the true colors of the administration and school board.
Bob, I though it was said
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:51 — user1234Bob, I though it was said that Wake was following the NCDOE lead ... if they don't do like everyone else, than some here will point out how some surrounding county the does what the NCDOE says has better scores (due to retesting) ... I don't see where being a rebel gains you anything in the public sector ... also, having the same question on a 5th grade test does not sound like a big deal .. how many do you think went home, got a call to be retested, and crammed from 6pm to 8am to ace the test ... if they could learn a year's worth of material in 12 hours overnight they deserve to pass.
Eh...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 10:14 — Bob_SconceWell, I would expect them to list the results both before the retest and after and then crow only if the before results improved over last year. I'm equally annoyed with other districts that are taking the deceiptful way out. But, I don't live there.
IIRC, the retests happen several days later, not the next day. The original idea was to give the school time to work with the non-passing students. (Which is even worse -- the school knows what the kid missed! How hard is it to feed them those answers?)
Thoughts
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:23 — teach248What's the difference if they list the data before and after the retests? I guess that is good information, but irrelevent. The tests are not for the students, they used to rate teachers and schools. If a student passes the retest, all the power to him or her.
Also, after the first test, all teachers and administration know is what students did or did not pass. There is no information about what problems students missed. Now, the only way teachers could know what is on the test is by looking at student test books while they test. Talking about these test items is absolutely against the rules and ethics according to the NCDPI. All the school knows is what students didn't pass a test. Teachers already know what is on the test because it is aligned with the Standard Course of Study.
Lastly, the students have always taken a retest, so allowing it to count in only fair to the student, especially if they pass. Of course, it has always counted for the student, but not for the schools and teachers.
The bigger question, I think, is whether one standardized test is a fair way to judge teachers and schools. I'll leave that on the table. COunting a retest is just a way for the state to "juke the stats" (as they say in HBO's The Wire).
Huh?
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:41 — Bob_SconceI'll concede that they don't know what the student missed. I had assumed that since the scores came back quickly, it was the local district doing the scoring.
I know several students who got 2's on last year's EOGs and certainly were not retested. (Of course, those EOG results didn't come out until well into the next school year.)
I suggest that showing information before retests allows apples-to-apples comparisons over previous years. Similarly, showing information after retests allows apples-to-apples comparisons with other NC districts who only report results after retests. If the administration and school board members have any integrity, they'll release both sets of numbers. I'm not holding my breath.
The EOGs have no apparent effect on a student's grade in a class -- one of those students who received a 2 last year got a 4 on his reading grade. So, I don't know how retests are "fair" to students, when they have no apparent effect. Fair would be using the retest time to teach.
I don't know if one standardized test is a good way to judge a school's or a teacher's quality. But, there has to be SOME measurable way that isn't subject to hand-waving and manipulation. Right now, EOCs and EOGs are all we've got.
...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 08:27 — SideburnsI'll bet his tune changes when the numbers are released.
Almost 30% of students in my daughter's elementary school class had to retake one or both EOG tests.
But is it all worth it?
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 08:37 — user1234But is it all worth it? Schools are so driven by numbers because of the public’s obsession with performance metrics that it drives all this testing; teaching to the test, test preps, retests ... is that where we want the energy and resources going? So, your daughter's school retested 30% of the kids to get some a passing score ... do you think those kids that passed are any smarter from one day to the next? I don't have any problem with retesting to give every kid every chance to show he learned the material ... it is just the obsession, energy, time that surround the testing that seems misguided.
...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:41 — SideburnsNo, my point exactly. Retesting is not serving the student.
“all who received
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 12:25 — user1234“all who received Level II had to re-take, level I was with parental permission....isn't that kinda backwards?? OH WAIT, it's WCPSS....never mind. funny (in a sad way) reminds me of kids playing games and losing crying, "do-over, do-over".....with testing??? really?” <Angela>
My wife told me the Level I were never going to be able to pass but the Level II were close and had a chance … leaving it up to parents may not serve the kid’s best interest (apologies to the parent know everything crowd) …. E.g. many have disconnected phones or invalid addresses and were impossible to reach.
“The retests are deceiptful because it makes schools appear to have done a better job when, in reality, they probably make matters worse…. No, my point exactly. Retesting is not serving the student. “ <Bob>
I don’t know if I agree … if you and I agree that kids can not make a substantial difference in their knowledge over 12 hours day to day than any increased passing rate must be due to overcoming test phobia (to Angela’s point on do over) …. So the retest is giving the poor standardize test takers a second chance which is better than having them repeat a grade and fill a seat unnecessarily … so have a little compassion Angela and Bob I think it serves everyone’s interest not to have these kids repeat a grade over one bad test day … it is a waste of time and taxpayer money on these marginal cases.
BTW, my wife thought that while the question were similar the tests were not the same to one of your points and second most of the kids in her class taking the retest scored almost the same which says something for the accuracy of the test.
non-issue---doesn't happen
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:44 — AngelaW"so have a little compassion Angela and Bob I think it serves everyone’s interest not to have these kids repeat a grade over one bad test day "
w/your wife being a teacher you should know that...as far as your compassion comment....spare me....you who doesn't want any more of "those kids" in your school..
your passive/aggressive is showing again
Yes...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:02 — Bob_Sconce"I think it serves everyone’s interest not to have these kids repeat a grade over one bad test day"
I agree. But, I assert that this doesn't ever happen. Sure, there is some inchoate implied threat that if a student doesn't do well on his EOGs that he won't make it to the next grade. In practice, I don't think the EOGs count a hill of beans in that decision. Heck, last year's EOG reading results didn't even come out until half way through the following school year. The threat appears to exist only to motivate students to take the tests seriously.
I thought you guys home-schooled. Is your wife a teacher? If so, I'd be interested to hear exactly how the advance/no-advance decision works.
(Apologies on my poor spelling and grammar in my earlier comment.)
“I thought you guys
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 13:43 — user1234“I thought you guys home-schooled. Is your wife a teacher? If so, I'd be interested to hear exactly how the advance/no-advance decision works. “
We did home school until the kids were in high school and we could no longer teach all the advanced classes like Calculus and Chemistry. My wife teaches academic classes and from what she told me there are a number of 16-18 year old ninth graders who almost pass each year and are permanent 9th graders. Many are forced by law to sit in school until they are 18 and can leave. They rarely show up for school, sign the EOG, put their head down and sleep through the test. You can imagine their motivation level and the amount they contribute to the class. It is sad and demoralizing for the kids and really disruptive to have such older kids in a 9th grade class (e.g. 16-18 old boys with 14-15 year old girls). As I mentioned before my wife’s chances of getting a pat on the back for EOG results is small compared to if she taught at Green Hope where everyone passes and gets bonuses. She is just as good of a teacher but the odds as stacked against her being in a High Needs school teaching the kids no one else wants. There is no award for moving from 30% to 40% pass (a 33% improvement) just absolute passing % so you have failed before you begin. She spent a whole night trying to reach parents to get some kids retested so it is not a fun or easy task. Most of the phone numbers did not work, the addresses were invalid or the parents did not speak English. Overall, it seems like separating the real losers from the rest is good but the group in the middle, a few points from passing are a waste to hold back in my mind. If retesting corrects the problem, great.
(Apologies on my poor spelling and grammar in my earlier comment.)
When I become perfect, I will correct you which won’t be any time soon.
Hmm..
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 14:28 — Bob_SconceSounds like we're talking about different populations. I assume that your wife is talking about EOC's (not EOGs which, I think, are not done in high schools.) To the extent that a student is unable to pass merely because he got a bad grade on a single test, the system is horribly flawed. If that bad test was part of a continued year-long pattern, then I see no issue. I didn't get retests on my final exams.
Correct...
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:18 — Bob_SconceThe EOGs are properly used as a measure of the school's (and teacher's) ability to teach the standard course of study, not to evaluate whether the student should move onto the next grade.
I would argue that the retests actually make things worse. The initial tests are given earlier to allow time for the retests. As a result, teachers cram the curriculum into fewer days. Then, on the retest day, students who passed end up dong busywork. The retests are deceiptful because it makes schools appear to have done a better job when, in reality, they probably make matters worse.
all who received Level II
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 08:34 — AngelaWall who received Level II had to re-take, level I was with parental permission....isn't that kinda backwards?? OH WAIT, it's WCPSS....never mind
funny (in a sad way) reminds me of kids playing games and losing crying, "do-over, do-over".....with testing??? really?
Wake was following state
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 08:53 — KeungHui (author)Wake was following state board policy on this one. State educators didn't realistically think retesting would help many kids pass who had a Level I score. That's why those kids weren't automatically retested and had to be done at the request of parents. Level II kids were a different matter and were required by the state to be retested.
ok so this is State
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:02 — AngelaWok so this is State Board....is this going to be in place from now on? Or just this year?
because Level II have a better chance of "passing" on the 2nd time around.....nothing to do with learning, IMHO, so again not helping the bottom....only padding the numbers...
The retests are an annual
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 09:26 — KeungHui (author)The retests are an annual thing now. The state board only mandated it for EOGs this past school year. The retests for EOCs will begin this upcoming school year so you'll see K-12 retesting then.