I have seen and used the KeyMath test. I don’t think this test is a good indicator of actual student performance. It seems to show kids functioning at a higher level than they can perform at in the classroom. I have a student who was tested last year with it and in fourth grade came out with a 3.7 on the KeyMath, but can’t do 5th grade work and is failing miserably. Currently the classroom teacher cannot make any accomodations/modifications as she didn’t qualify in math last year based on her testing. She doesn’t know her basic math facts and has no idea of place value. She can’t skip count. These are just a few difficulties. The Title I teacher works with her too. The system really frustrates me at times.
What is your feeling on the KeyMath?
What is a better test that actually shows student performance?
Thanks so much for any responses.
Re: Math Test
I wondered about that as well— that that to me seems like quite a gap. Maybe depends on how it would look to school administrators deciding on who gets math services. I think in some ways is a good test covering many areas, but a test requiring actual calculation would be very useful. What that test is I don’t know. However, I do know that some kid’s math reasoning far outstrips their calculating ability, hey that would be me as well.
—des
Re: Math Test
Alas, my guess is that here the facts arent there and neither is the reasoning (if because of the age if nothing else).
And working with adults I have to say that there are *huge* advantages to knowing the facts, for building that reasoning.
I think perhaps there’s more to a “small” gap than is apparent.
Shouldn’t a student score, say, 4.7 or 4.9 in forth grade, not a full year behind? I think the problem is in the qualifications line, more than the test.
I hadn’t noticed elevated screos for the KeyMath but I’ve only used it with older students.