Are test scores a good indication of a school's competency?Recently PHS has been given honors based upon our graduation rate and our test scores. So what do you think? I have provided you a question to respond to. Your assignment is to find one or two sources that will back up your opinion. Write a 150-200 word opinion siting sources (using in text citation). Then respond to two students (one you agree with, one you disagree with). Your response must be 50 words.
Karson
11/4/2013 12:18:57 pm
I think test scores do not show school’s competency. If test scores do matter, rather than the raw results, than people should look at the students performance against averages and improvement, which might be the students natural ability, and give a better idea of the teachers' skill. Some school’s may not cater to kids with learning disabilities or have a hard time staying on one subject. Also some kids may already know the material on tests but the teacher didn’t teach it well to the rest of the class. Teachers tell their kids how important tests are which just adds more pressure on them but also make them work harder. (Issy, 2009) I know people who can’t work well under pressure, so test aren’t always fair to them. People may know all the facts for the test but as soon as they are handed it it’s like their brain just gave up. I wish we didn’t have to take the long state tests to graduate and instead look at our school work or our grade in each class to determine if we turn in our work and try our best.
Kacey
11/7/2013 10:45:58 pm
Karson I agree with you. In some schools kids have more trouble learning because of their mental or physical disabilities which makes it hard for them to stay on the topic being taught. Testing makes them nervous just like you said their brain just gives up. Karson good job I am in complete agreement with you.
dom
11/8/2013 07:28:44 am
I agree with you Karson. The reason why I think you are right is because there are people that learn differently and do not learn the same. If you do the score off of averages then the passer rating could go up or down.
Alex
11/8/2013 07:46:21 am
Karson,
Cade
11/8/2013 08:50:53 am
Karson, I agree with you and the points you made. By the look of your article you put some time and effort into this article. I am with you on that some people who don't word well under pressure. When they know that there is a big test they can't seem to focus. They just aren't as good as test takers as some people. Great job Karson.
Kaitlynn
11/8/2013 09:41:14 am
Karson I agree with you about how test scores do not show a school’s competency. I think that people should look at the improvement and averages because it shows what we do best. I also agree that kids are at different levels in their learning skills and have learning disabilities so they take the test differently. Good job Karson!
Pearl
11/8/2013 10:01:57 am
Karson
scott
11/8/2013 01:03:20 pm
Im going to disagree with you Karson because yes our teachers teach it well but you have to also believe in your self and try with everything you have to improve our score. It is just like the saying you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink. You have to study the teachers can give you everything you need but you have to use it.
Hallie
11/8/2013 02:02:11 pm
Karson, Competency is all about succeeding in doing something. Are you saying our school is not succeeding in being in the top 5% of the state? According to the scores we are. So was there a right answer to this question or was it all in opinion.
Kaitlynn
11/5/2013 05:23:55 am
I do not think that test scores show a school’s competency. The reason I think that is because some students may be at different levels as other students. Another reason why is because some students may test better than other students. When taking the test students may become nervous and then forget what they had learned to take that test. Test scores should not be the only thing that is based on a school’s competency. All children are different so they learn in different ways and they may think slower and faster than others. Even though we are all taught the same thing that does not mean we will all understand it or remember it when it comes time to take the state test. Sometimes we just touch a subject and it will be one of the biggest things on the test that you don’t remember as well as you did. (Mariachedel) I don’t like taking the state test at all. I think the recent improvement in our high test scores are because maybe people are realizing that they are important so that you can graduate and go to college and get a job because you passed them.
Karson
11/7/2013 08:31:09 am
I completely agree with you Kaitlynn. I sometimes become nervous during tests it's like it just fell out of my ear or something. During Agriculture with Mr. Mathews I always forget the Creed when we get up to say it, but when I just calm down I can do it. Also you are right about when we just touch a subject and it becomes one of the biggest parts of a test and then we get blamed for not studying enough. Great job Kaitlynn and I completely agree with you.
Cort
11/8/2013 04:34:54 am
Taz
11/8/2013 09:50:33 am
I agree with you. I think that students will be more nervous and make more mistakes during heavily pressured tests. Some people don't have a problem with taking a 2 hour long test, some on the other hand may get too restless in 30 minutes. I also agree with the fact that sometimes teachers may not put enough emphasis on certain parts of a test, however it may not be the fault of the teacher.
Kristina
11/8/2013 12:39:21 pm
I totally agree with you Kaitlynn i do think that some students are better test taker than other students. And that some are faster and it comes more easier. I agree that even though we are taught the same thing it comes easier for some and harder for the rest.
Gilbert
11/8/2013 02:34:41 pm
kaitlynn I agree with you. what you say about kids could be bad test takers and kids can be good at taking tests and I agree with you on the test scores should not only be the only thing that is scored. kaitlynn this is really good I agree with you by all means.
Alexis E
11/6/2013 08:19:52 am
I do NOT think test scores show a school’s competency. Some people don’t retain things as fast as other and some learn slower than others. Taking tests can put you under pressure so taking a test could be harder for some. Another reason could be that some people don’t understand what is being taught, so it definitely makes things harder. It doesn’t and/or shouldn’t determine your success or efficiency. Tests are important, but they always make success. (2013) I do understand that the SAT scores are important but they still shouldn’t determine somebodies success. They do get you into a good college, though.
Kacey
11/7/2013 10:50:25 pm
Alexis I don't quite agree with you. When somebody doesn't know what the teacher is saying or doesn't understand how to do something then they should ask. While the teacher is teaching and they're trying to explain something and it doesn't click in your brain then you should ask so it makes sense to you. Ask questions. Other then that Alexis great job.
Cade
11/7/2013 04:20:55 am
I believe that being a school of distinction shows that Pomeroy takes pride in how well we do in our tests, granted that we went from the bottom 5% in Washington to the top 5%. I think that being in the bottom 5% gave us motivation to do better on our test and become one of the best schools in Washington. I like how in the website that I used gave data points to shows a school’s improvement or deteriorating performance. They have been using information to find data points since 2008 which gives them 6 data points to use. I like how this website gives you the mathematical explanation of how the improvement of the school is going. It is defined as the slope of a linear trend over 5 years. If you are in the bottom 5% the School of Distinction will give you a grant to improve the school’s overall performance. As they refer to it as SIG. SIG stands for school improvement grant. There are different levels of SIG; Cohort-1 & Cohort-2. I believe that the Washington School of Distinction shows that the test scores do show a school’s competency.
Naomi
11/7/2013 07:58:13 am
Cade, the gathering information over a period of time shows that the site you found has put forth a lot of effort into graphing the rise or decline of a school’s competency; I do believe, however, that the information should be based on more than just tests. The major assignments at least should be looked at as well.
Karson
11/7/2013 08:25:51 am
I am going to have to disagree with you. If instead of how we performed on tests they looked at our G.P.A. or how often we had late assignments they would have had better results. Although I do agree that Washington School of Distinction got it right when they put us in the top 5 percent but some students do not perform well under pressure. Although I do agree with most of your facts, so good job Cade.
Cort
11/8/2013 04:41:20 am
Cade I am going to have to agree with you. Just because you had the information that helps make your point very valid. And I agree of what you have to say. It looks like you took a lot of time to do this and it is a very good DQ.
Kaitlynn
11/8/2013 09:49:29 am
Cade I do not agree with you. Even though our test scores have improved greatly I still don’t think that a school’s competency should be based on just test scores. I think it should be based on improvements that we have made. You did a very good job at finding information Cade!
Pearl
11/8/2013 10:11:17 am
Kristina
11/8/2013 12:45:49 pm
I think i will have to disagree with you cade. Although we have improved greatly i dont think that the teachers should have to be paid on how well students do on taking test. Some students improved but what about the students who didnt pass or do well. Than next year teachers will have to be strict and teach everything so everyone learns and gets it.
Naomi
11/7/2013 07:50:19 am
I believe that schools’ tests do show a measure of competency, but whoever is judging competency should look at more than just tests. The website I looked at provides an interesting view on tests. It claims that if schools defraud on the tests then the well-meant system of determining the school’s competency is not showing exactly what the results were, thus making the school seem more capable. (Raiynne) I’m not saying that those schools who engage in this sort of underhanded dealings wouldn’t fraud all the grades if that was what was judged for competency, but it would be more difficult. It also would be nigh on impossible to get away with. I can see how some people would think that tests would show the competency of schools, and I agree, to some extent. Point being, I think judging school competency by the tests is being a little facetious and the method could be improved upon.
Brandon
11/8/2013 12:14:23 am
I think that the reason our graduation rates have increased is because of the amount of effort our teachers have given to us and with them willing to try it is making us better people and wanting to try to do good ourselves. Our school also helps those kids that might learn slower with the resource room with teachers who are willing to go step by step and help kids learn at their own rate of speed. I don’t think that a schools test scores show there competency I think it shows that the kids in the school are being pushed to do better so then when we do bad on something we know we can do good on we are disappointed in ourselves. I think that kids are finally realizing that they have to do well on the tests so that they can go to college and get a good job.
dom
11/8/2013 07:37:53 am
Brandon I disagree the reason why is that because the teachers do give us help but most people will not go in and get the help. Also the reason why some teacher is doing not let you go at your own speed or anything so you can learn more.
Alex
11/8/2013 07:44:29 am
Brandon,
Taz
11/8/2013 09:57:45 am
I disagree with you. I don't believe higher test scores may even indicate that students are being pushed harder, maybe the test happened to be on the things they know well. I don't thing there really is ever a change in the student mentality. Some will choose to study, some will not. You rarely ever have all of one or they other.
dom
11/8/2013 04:34:31 am
I think that the reason why we are so good at taking test is because our teachers help us so much in many different ways. One big way is they tell us what we will see and how we will see it. There are even some teachers that will just cover what you need to pass and then go back and look at what you did not cover. Another is that some students don’t even study for a test or quiz. That is one big reason that most do not do well on the state testing. There is also a class room that helps with the students that are not as advanced in some classes. (Self, 13/8/29) (palzzolo, 12/6/12)
Jerod
11/8/2013 02:38:55 pm
Dominick I totally agree with you, I think the same thing the awards we have gotten Pomeroy jr. sr. high school does deserve them because of our teachers they all try hard to help us. Most of the teachers come in early stay late to help kids with their home work or help them study before a test.
Alex
11/8/2013 07:42:08 am
I think that teachers should not be paid based on how well students score on tests because some people take tests better than other students for different reasons. Some people could get stressed about tests and do worse than people who are calm. Also, some students just don’t care about standardized testing which would affect how much teachers get paid even more. There are also other ways to improve test scores, like reducing class sizes so that students get more one on one time with their teachers. They would also have to produce more tests in order to test all the subjects students take to figure out how much money each teacher would receive. (Parents Across America)
Cade
11/8/2013 08:45:50 am
Great job Alex, I agree with you and the points you made. I think also that teachers should not be paid by how well the state test show. The test show that there might be some class that are just better test takers then others. Overall you did a great job though.
Gilbert
11/8/2013 10:12:13 am
Alex that is really eye opening and how you describe the students that don't care and the bad test takers and the calm test takers I agree with you on this.
Lora
11/8/2013 12:09:49 pm
Alex, I strongly agree with your overall opinion on whether teachers should get paid on how students test scores are. All the points you made about their job and it that was how hey got paid I agree with 100%! :)
Naomi
11/8/2013 01:07:31 pm
Alex, I agree with you about teachers not being paid based on the test scores. Although I do see how it would seem like a good incentive to teachers to help their students apply themselves, it is not the best way to measure a student’s knowledge. A better way to measure would be to judge all the materials and assignments.
Pearl
11/8/2013 08:48:18 am
I think that giving honors based upon test scores is a bad idea because these state tests we take are mostly multiple choice and some kids are really good test takers, so these tests come easy to them. But what about the kids that are not the best at taking tests like this. Test results are important I just don’t think that we have to pass a certain amount to graduate. Most people think different than others that’s what makes use all different, so shouldn’t all of our tests be graded differently? So that’s why I think we should not have test scores as the only thing that should matter. +Many states and school districts should rethink their heavy reliance on student test score gains to evaluate teachers (education, 2013) I think that is guy has a very good point. And that’s what I think about test scores.
Taz
11/8/2013 09:32:31 am
I don't believe that test scores are a good indication of whether the school is competent or not. Scores can be very skewed sometimes. Test scores only stand for a small portion of competency. A school could choose to have only study/lectures in every class. However this would take out any time for other things such as activies. This would make the test scores probably look better, but would lack the enrichment things other than tests could provide. If you score high on your test, you probably studied well and want to learn it. If you don't study maybe you can learn it, and just choose not to (StudyMode, 2013). This just shows that a school could have the majority of their students score high on tests, but does not always mean it is better for the students. The enrichment that is possible is more valuable in my opinion, than having a class score really high on a test.
Gilbert
11/8/2013 10:09:59 am
I believe that the reason the test scores have gone up is that the kids have been paying more attention in class. But the other main reason the test scores have gone up is that the amount of work that the teachers put out for the student's they are teaching kids at different paces and if the kid is having trouble the teacher will stay after school so they can help the kid under stand. I want to use Mrs.Miller for instance she stays after school until the kid understands or until she has to leave. Then she'll say come back tomorrow and I help you again. But the kid has to want to get help from the teacher and has to go in and at least show the teacher he's trying and she'll help more by staying longer some times. and that's why I think the test scores have went up.
Kacey
11/8/2013 11:37:21 am
I personally do not think that honors should be given to students because of our schools graduation rate and test scores. Its not quite fair to other students who have a harder time understanding things in class. Some students might have disabilities that make it harder for them to learn or they might have to ask more questions and get more help. The higher the school standers get, the harder it will be for academics to be kept up. To be given honors, they (whom ever gives them) should also look at the other things that they do in school because it could be that they could do better on daily assignments and then freeze up and forget things while taking tests for the class or for the state.(ASDC) State tests could be easy or hard depending on how well the teacher taught us, how long we spend on the subject, and how well we pay attention. Some students might be great at doing everything else but take important state test because of all the pressure. Also, some students could just get lucky on a test and be honored for it when they don't deserve it.
Lora
11/8/2013 12:05:58 pm
I do not think teachers should be paid based upon how students test scores are. Because what happens if a student really pays attention in class but isn't a good test taker they could get nervous or distracted and not do very well. Some students are just better test takers than others. Or what happens if a student just doesn't care at all and does not pay attention so they fail the test because they don't even try. The teacher should not be paid by that. The teachers, however, if they were paid upon students test scores would use that as a motivation to push students even harder to learn by either having one on one learning time or coming in after, or before school. Even at lunch. (Parents Across America)
Tabby
11/8/2013 12:17:37 pm
I think that the graduation rate has went up because of the way our teachers teach. Also because we have a way to keep up our grades with academic plans if we are failing. Our teachers are good with pushing the students to do there best and they are very good with helping us with things we dont understand. I think the fact that we could get honors for the graduation rate and test scores isnt good because it would make tests harder and school work harder it. That could mean slower people wouldn't be able to pass unless they took a lot of there time to pass.
scott
11/8/2013 12:52:13 pm
I agree totally with you Tabby that our teachers that teach us the right things to be able to succeed on our big tests that will let us graduate. And you feel so much better when you are taking a test your more calm and more confident. And that is why I think our rate has gone up fo Pomeroy.
Kristina
11/8/2013 12:32:42 pm
I think test scores do not show school's competency. I dont think that what people get on tests should indigate how much money the teachers get. I don't the student's test scores should indicate how much teachers get paid because some students do better than others in test taking. Some students could care less about testing and some students really really care. Wether you care or not and how well or not you do would depend on how much the teacher gets paid. If teachers were depending on the students test scores some teachers will be very strict and make sure that they pass so they get paid well. I think that students will get to stressed out that they feel pressured to get good at taking tests. I think that students will get stress thinking that the teacher will punish those who dont get good grades. I think that teachers getting paid by how well the students do on taking tests is a bad idea.
Jerod
11/8/2013 02:32:54 pm
Kristina I disagree with you I think that if kids do good on test then that shows that the kid was just not really trying during the year but when it came down to the big thing they were listening through the whole year. Otherwise I do agree that some people do not have good test taking skills but instead of them just not being good at taking tests through their whole high school career they should get help with teachers that will make them better no matter what.
scott
11/8/2013 12:45:55 pm
I think that the state test should not be able to tell how smart a school over all is because some students are not good at test taking but they are still a smart student just not a good at taking tests. The student feels under pressure when they take the test because it could tell weather you graduate or do not graduate high school. the students might know the text they have been taught and when the big test comes they just go mind blank and do not get a great grade but they are smart when they do an assignment and do great but they are not good at test taking.i think that having good test taking skills to be able to pass big test that mean a lot to there reputation that will tell their future.It should be taught in school to help the students who have problems taking test and give them some help and tips in how to take a test with courage and it will create better outcomes for the tests score so they can serve as an indicator of schools competency.
Cort
11/8/2013 01:20:21 pm
I think it is very impressive that we have gone from the bottom 5% to now we are on the top 5%. I think are teachers and leadership in everyone has done a very good job. I know from our class we had almost everyone passed the End of Course Exam and most everyone passed more than one of the measurement of student progress tests. I think that are teachers especially have stepped up and helped all the students who have gone to Pomeroy achieve what they need to know to be successful on high school tests and be ready so if they have a job they will not get fired or quit because it is hard. What we have done in the past five years have been something special now I think the goal is to keep the numbers up and maintain being one of the top 5% in the state.
Hallie
11/8/2013 01:52:59 pm
Cort, Thank you so much for having the same opinion as me when I started to type my DQ yours had not yet been posted so now I can complete my DQ. I agree with your opinion and other things I have heard your dad say during morning assemblies and even during the Veterans Day assembly early this very day
Hallie
11/8/2013 01:47:43 pm
I think a schools test scores do show its competency. Competency is the ability to do something successfully or efficiently. So everyone that said that our awesome test scores aren't showing our schools competency you were wrong because we are being taught efficiently to achieve these scores. So basically everyone who said no isn't giving our teachers credit for teaching us well. Guaranteed 0-2 kids in this school are not paying attention in class and not learning anything from the teachers and completely ignoring them and going home and learning all of the information. This week I cannot complete my DQ because I am the only one who has completely understood the question. And answered yes and you are supposed to comment on someone that also thinks the same thing as you but i was the only one who thought this way.
Jerod
11/8/2013 02:23:15 pm
Pomeroy junior high school has been given a award for our graduation rate and our test scores. I think pomeroy jr. sr. high school deserves these awardes because we have gained good teachers that will do anything that will help the students get better at school. But it isn’t just the teachers pomeroy jr. sr. high school has gained a good principle that when you have a D or a F then he gives you something that is called a academic probation plan which is a paper that you have to get signed bt the teacher then by your parents then if Mr. Lamunyan (principle) thinks that you and the teacher have talked about something that will give you a better grade in that class. But back to talking about teachers, All of the jr. sr. high school teachers let you come in before, after, and even during lunch to get help in the class or to do assignment some even do study groups before a test and quiz, for example Mrs. Mcgreavy has been making student with a C+ or worst come in before a test to study with her. That is why I think we deserve it.
Jared
11/8/2013 03:48:00 pm
I totally agree with you Jerod. That thing you said about letting us come in early is what I thought about. Those study sessions really save my butt sometimes. I really can't study off a sheet of paper, I have to talk about it to stick it in my head.
Jared
11/8/2013 03:44:22 pm
I thought it was great that our school has been rewarded and kind of stood out more than other schools because we may be a small school but we are smart kids. Those long tests we have to take at the end of the year are no fun at all though. Just sitting there for about an hour and a half, thinking, making your brain hurt and getting carpel tunnel isn't fun at all. We all would rather be doing different stuff but not as important as what those tests are. I really don't care for those tests, but when you get done with all of them it's a fantastic feeling. That feeling of relief and knowing it's summer! Those tests give you something to talk about also after your done on how hard it was and how you think you did. I don't think they're a horrible thing because if you pass them it actually shows you learned something in your classes and your teachers are doing a good job with their students. I was really surprised with our test scores. I was surprised with my own! I feel bad for the kids that forget what they learn after a week or something, but they don't have to pass the tests because of they're mental disorders. I just hope we all keep up the great test scores. Comments are closed.
|
AuthorMrs. Miller will use the blog to help students ask questions, remember what we did in class and just a place to discuss class topics. Categories
All
Archives
May 2017
|