Monday, April 30, 2012

Excessive standardized testing?

By request, a thread to talk about the piles of standardized testing for some APP students, in particular that 7th graders at Hamilton apparently are taking MSP, EOC, and MAPS, causing a couple parents to ask, "Why both 7th grade math and the EOC Algebra exam?"

5 comments:

HIMS Parent said...

My question is, are students at WMS also taking the additional math test or is this just at HIMS?

Anonymous said...

All Seattle kids in 6th-9th take all of these exams if they are taking HS math (not just APP kids.)

You know, you can opt your kid out of the MSP and/or MAP (and probably EOC as well).

NonAPP kids who might want a spot at IBX probably shouldn't opt out of the Spring 7th grade MAP though since that is a gatekeeper to test in during 8th grade. And, it's probably not a good idea to opt out of the Winter 7th grade MAP either since it looks like opting out can mess up your start point next time you take the test and possibly reduce that score.

As far as I can see, kids who are enrolled in APP for 7th and 8th grade don't have to maintain any particular standardized test scores to stay in the program or enter IBX. Do they have to pass the Algebra and Geometry EOCs to advance to the next class?

IBX Watcher

Anonymous said...

it's probably not a good idea to opt out of the Winter 7th grade MAP either since it looks like opting out can mess up your start point next time you take the test and possibly reduce that score.

Can you explain that a bit more?

As far as passing the EOCs to advance, don't classes begin before scores are released?

Anonymous said...

This may be something they have fixed, or I could be misinformed, but I know where the tests start out is dependent on how high the previous score was.

My kid's math score dropped 10 percentage points after I opted her out one time (reading percentage held steady, but she had topped that out.) The teacher who was in charge of administering it said that it was likely that the next test started a a very low level (since her previous score had been zero) and she didn't have enough time to get to the more difficult Qs and improve her score. Next test she was back up the 10 percentage points.

It would be best to check this out with the District if it concerns you since my view is obviously limited.

IBX Watcher

SanMom said...

Kids don't have to pass the EOC class to advance. But I think they ultimately have to pass them to graduate HS in the Seattle Public Schools.
We went on vacation last year during the Algebra EOC test and were told not to worry, that our child can take the test any year even in HS. But, it's probably best to take it just after completing the class since the material would be freshest.
My child went on to Geometry without having taking the Algebra EOC.