Thurgood Marshall graduation 2012
Badin vs. Versailles
Law Enforcement Memorial Day
Home > Blogs > Lakota Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > July > 02 > Entry
The ABC’s of AYP
I promised to try to explain this complex scoring process. Here is the story. http://www.pulsejournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/07/02/pjw070308ayp.html
Essentially, what I have learned from this process is that in an ideal world, all students would reach 100 percent proficiency. I still hesitate when I ask myself if this is possible. I want it to be. I very much hope it is. But, I still can’t help thinking about my sister. She was born with a severe hearing loss. When she wasn’t speaking like other children, my parents took her to a specialist who said she should learn to sign. Not satisfied, my parents searched until they found a doctor who took a chance on her. She had this huge box with wires and gigantic ear pieces. Kim went to speech and had tutors in school. She was on an individual education plan that ensured she remained in mainstream classes. My sister worked hard. She got decent grades. She did not; however, excel in reading comprehension or writing. She may not have passed standardized tests in that area, but she still went on to college. Her professors there worked with her, looking past her struggling writing skills to see her heart and potential. They saw how she was good with math and completed everything they asked her to do. She worked so hard to earn a college degree in recreational management. She is now married, manages her household and works at a nursing home. In all estimation, my sister is a success. In the state’s eyes, she may not be.
So, you see. This is the one thing I question about measuring students merely by test scores. I see the rationale and understand why accountability is important. I just wonder if we are constantly measuring success only in academics, are we going to let children get left behind in other life skills? What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot topics
Comments