This website is NOT advertised to my parents or kids, mostly for their anonymity and mine. After all, I don't need my kids to read about EVERYTHING. So they'll never see this post. But allow me to brag for a minute on my 14 fourth graders (okay, fifth graders in a week) ...and give myself a tiny pat on the back, too.
In May, they took the 4th grade SOL (Standard of Learning) exams in Language Arts and Mathematics. It's a common joke among the adults that the reason they are referred to as "SOLs" is because they really mean, "Shit Out of Luck." I mean really...what test writer came up with THAT acronym??? Anyway, these tests are hard. They focus on every skil the child has learned up to that point, and they are ridiculously long. Not to mention some of the vocabulary is way over their heads. I'm not a huge fan of standardized tests, obviously. We spend alot of time and effort prepping the kids for this exam, both with content and strategy review, and building up their confidence. During the testing days, the kids are entirely dependent on themselves. I cannot read words to them, I cannot explain words, I cannot remind them, "Remember when we talked about...??" In fact, I cannot even speak to them.
It's nerve-wracking for all of us, and I want so badly for them to be able to demonstrate on the test all that I know that they know.
But!
All that is behind for another year. I picked up their scores yesterday. The tests are scored from 0-600. Anything over a 400 is a "Pass". Anything over a 500 is a "Pass Advanced." 600 is a perfect score.
Out of my 14 kids who took Language Arts:
8 received a "Pass"
4 received a "Pass Advanced"
2 did not Pass, but both received a score of 391, 9 points from passing.
(insert wild applause and dancing here)
Yea for my fabulous, fabulous kids!!! You should all give them giant hugs. Or at least send mental congrats their way. I am SOOOO proud of all of them!
As for the Math scores, they were a little bit lower, as were the math scores across the state. Since this is the first time fourth grade has taken the SOLs (it used to be just 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th), and it's a brand new test, there may be some kinks to work out with the math test. Still, my kids did well here, too.
Out of my14 who took the Mathematics test:
9 received a "Pass"
1 received a "Pass-Advanced"
4 did not Pass.
I feel like a proud Mommy.
Good job, guys!
Friday, August 25, 2006
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3 comments:
I had a lot of catching up to do on my blog-reading today! I have to say, your room looks GREAT and CONGRATULATIONS on your kids' awesome test results. Since I have to teach and test my own kids, I finally "get" it about teachers...you just cringe and wince when you see them put down the wrong answer after you spent a whole WEEK explaining dividing fractions means multiplying by the reciprocal (or, whatever).
Oh, and grading papers is a PAIN.
SO, good job!
Maria,
As the daughter of a teacher, I can appreciate the struggles you face. I also understand that it is the moments that this one that make the job worthwhile. I applaud for all you do.
Great Job!
Aww, thanks, ladies, for the support. I admit, it's nice when things work out well and you can say to yourself, "Well, I was a success!"
Really, though, it all comes down to the kiddos, and I had a great group this past year.
Now, here's hoping this year's group is just as wonderful. (Optimism is easy in September! :) )
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