My question is regarding the Stanford 9 tests that all kids in GA took last week. My child is in an EIP class and I was told that teachers could not help the kids on the test other than telling them to try their best. I ask if the teacher had helped the kids on the test and I was told she did, but she did not give any answers, she would go over the question and write it on the board and explain it. Wouldn’t this make it seem as if some kids were not needing help on the test when most of them are in EIP for reading problems in the first place. If they can not comprehend what they are reading, wouldn’t this show unaccurate test results? Should I bring this up in our next meeting?
Re: Questions for Teachers
Thanks for your comments. The last time I brought up the low test scores on the standardized test, the principal told me that they were not all that accurate and some people tend to focus too much on them. He showed me some other tests, The Star, the Brigance (?sp) the DRA which he said was a better way to see where the child is at reading. These things are all pretty greek to me and don’t make much sence. I started looking over the standardize test my son took over the last 3 years. He did good in Kindergarten, above average on everything. I don’t know what happened after that. He didn’t even have anything listed on the math section on the 1st grade test. Which I thought was kind of strange. I dont know if he didn’t take that part or what. It is just blank. So my next question is…What are these other tests and where do I find out what they mean?
Re: Questions for Teachers
I think what your principal was saying to you is that standardized tests are not a good measure of how well a child reads nor are they specifically intended to be a measure of that. Of course, a child who does not read well finds the tests harder.
If you want to know how well a child/student is reading, the Brigance and other tests are a better measure of that.
Has your daughter taken that test or others like it? The results of the them would be in your daughter’s file if she has.
First find the results and then you can start to figure out what they mean. It is true though the most tests of reading compare your daughter’s performance to others. Often tests of reading will say something like, ‘This student is reading at the ….. 2nd grade level (or whatever).
Re: Questions for Teachers
He took the Brigance, the STAR, and DRA. He was below grade level on the tests but the teacher made a note that says “Daily reading on grade level, best student reader” I have the results of those, where can I find out what they mean?
Re: Questions for Teachers
You could post the results on the Teaching Reading BB and/or on the Teaching Students with LD BB. I’m not a reading specialist. Someone will post and help you interpret the results.
If you do a websearch, you might also find sites that explain those test results.
The tests of which you speak are nationally normed tests and compare a student to students across the nation. It’s true that some children simply do not do well on standardized tests but yet read fairly well. I’d find the teacher’s words encouraging.
Good luck.
Re: Questions for Teachers
You should of been given a pamphlet explaining what the grades mean. Ask your school or you could call your school department or the department of education. Just remember this is a test that really doesn’t measure a students abilities.
Re: Questions for Teachers
As teachers we can not read a reading test to a student. We are only allowed to read directions and questions. If we read the reading test it would not be a valid test on their reading ability. We understand that there are some kids who are not reading at grade level, but we still cannot read the test.
Of course it would show inaccurate test results.
Whether you should bring it up in your next meeting or not is another question. The current legislated fashion in our nation are these standardized tests. Your questions posed to any individual teacher sadly aren’t going to make much of a difference. Recent federal law just cemented the Stanford 9 and other tests like it in place.