As students prepare to take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams this week, a growing number of parents are refusing to let their children take the high-stakes standardized exams aimed at showing which schools are excelling or failing.We can see the what is at stake with the PSSA scores. Just ask any administrator at Mt. Lebanon as I mentioned here. PSSAs - No pressure here
The performance on the PSSAs are the primary metrics used by theWith Mt. Lebanon prepping kids for the PSSAs, we can see the pay-off in the Pittsburgh Business Times Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools. We've moved up to Number 2 in the State. Evan though it is budget crunch time, jobs are secure and raises are guaranteed.
Superintendent and Board to evaulate how the principals leadership has impacted student achievement.
Ms. Andren had contacted me, in hopes that I could steer her to Mt. Lebanon parents, but none were willing to come forward.
Dr. Timothy Slekar, founder of United Opt Out and Lebo Citizens commenter, did speak with Ms. Andren.
Slekar excluded his son, Luke, from standardized tests three years ago and helped found United Opt Out, a national group that protested standardized testing this weekend in Washington with a sit-in outside the Department of Education and a march to the White House.A few opt-outs does not impact Mt. Lebanon's scores, but if enough parents opt-out their kids, we will fail to meet AYP, or Adequate Yearly Progress. What does that mean? Read more here Some Children Left Behind or here About making AYP for students with disabilities UPDATED 2x or here Yes, he is very deserving. UPDATED
Parents, make sure your kids get enough sleep this week. There is quite a bit at stake here.
Yawn
ReplyDeleteBefore passing out big congratulatory resolutions (especially in the form of merit increases) - it would be important to know how 2 recent changes impacted the rankings. From the post-gazette (06-17-10):
ReplyDeleteThe Mt. Lebanon School District discussed two changes at its meeting this week that could move the high school higher in local, state and national rankings.
The first change would require students to achieve a proficient or advanced score in the 11th grade Pennsylvania System of School Assessments in order to graduate. The other proposed change would make the high school a participant in the National School Lunch Program.
In related news, the 2012 SAT results posted on the PA Dept. of Education website reveal:
MTLHS was #12 in the state,
down from #5 in 2011,
when it was up from #13 in 2010,
when it was down from #8 in 2009,
when it was down from #7 in 2008,
the same as it had been in 2007,
when it was down from #5 in 2006,
after being #8 in 2005.
These and other rankings are much ado about nothing and for the most part distinctions without a difference.
We have darn good students, supportive families, talented faculty and a highly regarded school district.
Most important to remember when it comes to our students ... there are no do overs, paraphrasing Mr. Celli, like the space shuttle -- we have one opportunity to get it right.
By several standards I have reviewed, we are more efficient than other districts when looking at achievement for our expenditures per student.
But this is no reason to spend more money than needed. I still feel our long term tax revenue trajectory needs addressing - we very much need to "bend the cost curve."
Bending the curve is not just a matter of cutting expenses, it is critical to be surgical, trimming expenses in such a way as to maintain or improve outcomes.
This requires that we clearly understand, can readily articulate, and finally, are able to act on what makes a difference in a student's performance - before - we commit the Community's limited resources - like they are unlimited.
Frankly, well intended constructs from school directors is far from sufficient for some of the decisions we/they make.
Our commitment to the success of our students is likely the strongest thread in the fabric of our Community.
Let's invest where it makes a measurable difference and do not, where it does not.
Yes, Bill, I am glad that you remember that too. It is a numbers game. Read about it in my post Relentless, is it? almost a year to the day.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Absolutely agree with everything Mr. Matthews writes.
ReplyDeleteCuriously, why are the PSSAs such a problem and so threatening to students, but the SATs, which have a greater impact on whether the kids get into the best universities aren't mentioned?
I've seen two debates on two different news channels this weekend and the proponents of opting out of the PSSAs were both parents... That just happened to have grade school children. Hmmmmmm?
In my opinion, there is way too much focus on the stress on the kids in recent articles, posts on Elaine's blog and comments here. Yes. It is stressful to our students BECAUSE there is so much focus put on this test. The entire school year is about this ONE TEST. The curriculum has narrowed and is cookie cutter. Look at all of the multiple choice math and language arts worksheets your elementary school kids bring home. Even their assessments (used to be called tests) are now mulitple choice - from the workbooks they all use (where are the textbooks in Elementary school?) The teachers aren't allowed to come up with their own assessments. The kids work on "Test Prep" worksheets every day. Please tell me you've seen those come home?! The multiple choice questions on those test prep sheets sometimes ask them to "estimate" answers. How is that learning - Especially for Elementary school kids? Looks like Test Taking 101 to me. The last few weeks have been all about review, learning test taking strategies and stress management techniques. Although the kids are told that it's preparing them for their future. Really? Not the PSSAs? Curious that the review and test taking strategies are occuring 2 weeks before the PSSAs but it's NOT for the PSSAs. Right.
ReplyDeleteThe Middle Schools are offering special exercise classes before the tests. And some of the schools offer snacks - funny they don't get to eat them until AFTER they are done. "Wow! We get to eat Cheez Its!" Parents are being told to make sure the kids get a good night's sleep and to give their kids protein packed breakfasts the morning of the tests. No pressure, no big deal, right?
One of the main issues is the narrowing of the curriculum. The teachers are not allowed to teach what they want, when they want, how they want. Need to give your kids a break and move on to something else? Tough. Keep teaching math until 11am or be reprimanded.
The kids are bored doing multiple choice worksheet after multiple choice worksheet. This is not the teacher's fault. Doing this type of learning is what is closest in line with the test. It's drilled into these kids and they regurgitate it back on the test. Is that learning? Who cares, right? It's just a bunch of 3rd graders.
Pay attention. Do some research. Don't believe the hype you're hearing from the Administration. This is bad. But they are required by law to give the PSSA. Think you can call your legislators because they are the only ones who can change this? Think again. Check his/her campaign donations. Bet some are coming from the Test Prep companies. Follow the money. This has nothing to do with educating our kids. And everything to do with big $$$$. And the Common Core will bring even more tests that must be done on-line, with computers, that cost money. Your tax dollars pay for all of this - the test prep sheets, the tests themselves, the scoring of the tests, the computers to take the tests. That's money that could go towards all of those things that the Board wants to cut. And cut the crap that we need this test to assess whether or not the kids are learning. What about all of the other tests that they take? Dibbels and MAP? Unit tests, spelling test, other assessments?
The stress is bad enough. Especially for the Elementary kids. But what keeps me awake at night is everything my child ISN'T learning because the pressure is on our teachers and our Adminstrators to teach nothing but what is on the test. When your compensation, your job is based on the test scores - what would you do? Teach to the test. And there lies the inherent conflict of interest. This is not the Mt. Lebanon most of us remember.
9:35 sorry I don't buy it! And it's not that I don't agree with much of what you say. Talking to kids and quickly their knowledge of math facts, observing their writing and comprehension skills, their knowledge of history and geography and it's easy to believe they're only working to do well on a test.
ReplyDeleteBut here's a question what union and lobbying group has more power and influence in Harrisburg than the PSEA?
What is the budget spent on supporting candidates for state offices?
Plus, if the teachers are so appalled why aren't they leading the charge?
9:35 pm "When your compensation, your job is based on the test scores" ? ?
ReplyDeleteThe teachers CBA or contract has no provisions whatsoever for what you refer to. And all 421 teachers received "Satisfactory...meeting expectations" on the latest performance evaluation results sent to the PDE.
Please explain this.
You know for a group that is protected by tenure, by a huge union to hear the pressure is on the teachers and administrators to teach to the test you have to wonder. They claim they care about kids, they're professionals but they cave to... Whom? Some elected politicians? They have a huge lobbying force, deep coffers, if this is so abominable why aren't they marching on Harrisburg, endorsing candidates that change it?
ReplyDelete9:35 said, " This is not the Mt. Lebanon most of us remember."
ReplyDeleteI agree. There are also other issues besides test scores. A deck to watch sports on Wildcat and Middle field while you are at the swimming pool are a terrible waste of money and a safety issue. How does a parent watch their kid(s) at the swimming pool if they are looking the other way to watch a sporting event? That looks like a safety hazard for children and worse yet we financed it with more debt on the entire community.
One other thought, lack of safety is a personal liability issue for elected officials. There are many court cases that went against elected officials who ignored safety issues and the liability from a court ruling is not reimbursable by a governmental body..
I understand that the PTA is providing snacks for the kids at some or all of the elementary schools after the tests. Parents are encouraged to send their kids to school with water bottles and mints or gum. Yep, no pressure.
ReplyDeleteThis is really out of hand.
Elaine
Hey, we now lead kids to play baseball and other sports with the promise of after game snacks, so why not test too.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in 50s, 60s and early 70s you couldn't get kids off fields! Parents got upset if you didn't come home by dinner time and you knew somebody was in the doghouse if a dad showed up at the ballfield in his shirt and tie during a week night.
Now our poor little darlings get stressed over test and their isn't pizza and orchard of root beer after the soccer or lacrosse practice.
How about the lil darlins show their creative sides and answer their questions in pretty patterns instead of opting out.
ReplyDeleteCorrection-- there isn't pizza and a pitcher of root beer after the soccer or lacrosse practice.
ReplyDeleteAnd regarding opting out of PSSA test, have any of these college professors with third graders or the "we worried about the kids stress levels" teachers offer any suggestion what happens when the PSSAs are eliminated?
No evaluations I suppose right?
Here's an idea - combine the test with the snacks! That'll confused them and reduce the stress.
ReplyDeleteThe math portion of the test:
The teacher gives you 20 gold fish crackers. You eat 14.5, how many are left?
The readIng comprehension portion could be:
Your cup of gold fish crackers has 5.5 crackers left in it. Is this almost like zero crackers?
Oops sorry, some educators won't be able to grade that one accurately! :-)
Instead of attending meetings let's not pay our property taxes until the elected officials resign.
ReplyDeleteYeah great idea 6:48 you do that! Do you mean all elected officials? County, local, Federal?
ReplyDeleteWhat a coup it would be for you not to pay your property tax. Maybe I'll be able to buy your property for a bargain when its time for the sheriff sale!
@5:04
ReplyDeleteNo evaluations? You act as if Teachers only goals in life are to avoid work and avoid being fired...
How about teachers jobs are evaluated by how well they educate young minds? Being able to regurgitate facts on a bubble sheet is the lowest form of the cognitive domains. 6th down on a totem pole of 6. These tests are gutting your children's curriculum and evaluating the student's and faculty's worthiness based on useless numbers.
An educators job should be based on the tools they give their students. The inspiration their students gain from them to apply the knowledge that has been given to them, to any field. EG: A group project about algae that can focus on communication skills, public speaking skills, how to look up facts and cross reference ideas and opinions to form your own. Are they going to become ecologists someday studying algae? Probably not, but they can apply every one of those skills to whatever they do to become successful. Learning a musical instrument, striving for a level of perfection no other subject can reach, analyzing a composers ideas with the historical era and making their own musical inferences to make the piece their own. Will they be first chair in the New York Phil? Again, probably not, but the tools, ideas, and lessons they learned in the practice room will stay follow them in life, helping them fathoms above what a PSSA prep class ever could.
As much as people want to put education in a box and "fix it" by looking at graphs and figuring out percentages of filled in bubbles, it's not going to work. It's about EACH kid, finding themselves, mature, and becomes knowledgeable, thoughtful, and creative adults...and if you think that the majority of educators are trying to do anything other than that, you are greatly mistaken.
Some what on topic, has anyone seen this MSNBC spot discussed by Rich Lowry. If you haven't seen the "sermonette" it is down right scary thinking from an academic.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationalreview.com/articles/345053/your-kids-aren-t-your-own-rich-lowry
I may be overreaching a bit but is this, the apparent objective by education professionals to eliminate any evaluation their occupation by doing away with PSSAs, and efforts like Youth Sports all be in someday obscure way linked?
Could it be a progressive agenda to raise kids in a collective environment or is this just a weird conspiracy theory?
10:42 want to find out exactly how altruistic teachers are, lobby for the elimination of collective bargaining and make Pennsylvania a right to work state!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with your first sentence in your second paragraph: "How about teachers jobs are evaluated by how well they teach young minds."
The PDE study says that 23% of MTLSD graduates can't perform at freshman level math and reading upon entering state universities. Some school districts' had over 50% not proficient and needing remediation.
What business can afford to put 25% to 50% of their product on the market that didn't perform as advertised?
So yes, 10:42 let's evaluate teachers on the job they do! We agree on that point... so what benchmarks do we use? Just do away with PSSAs? Is that your solution?
Then we left with an evaluation system of what?
Correction because the 11:35 got stomp on by auto-correct.
ReplyDeleteI may be overreaching a bit but is this be an objective by education professionals to eliminate any evaluation of their occupation by doing away with PSSAs, and to combine with efforts like Youth Sports. Could this all be in someway obscurely linked?
Could it be a progressive agenda to raise kids in a collective environment or is this just a weird conspiracy theory?
Seriously, we had a woman suggest in the Almanac that school students should be forced to sit at a different lunch table every week. Her intent was to expose the kids to others that may be different from their usual circle of friends and that wold eliminate bullying. But, should we institute that initiative... what is the next step? Will we give up family bonds next?
Force the kids to go have dinneer with a different family each week to eliminate religious and racial hatred? Of course, it will all be sold as we're exposing the youth to different cultures, cuisine, and culture.
Then once dinner is done, little Johnny and Susie will run off to play this weeks organized sport, on lush ballfields, coached that everyone is equal in ability and everyone is a winner regardless of the score. Its the collective, the bubble where life is good all day long.
No more stressful PSSA test, no BFFs, no independent thinking.
10:42 run this by the MTL Teachers Union!
ReplyDeleteAAE Executive Director Gary Beckner's op-ed Teachers Want Reforms That Put Students Ahead of Unions in the Orlando News Sentinel
"For years, the quest to understand and leverage effective teaching has been at the center of the public discussion over how to improve America's education system.
For the country's hard-working educators, great teaching and common-sense reform aren't simply policies or ideas backed by bureaucrats or legislators. Teachers are living the realities of the classroom every day. In order to promote positive change in our system, we must listen to the educators on the front lines.
For too long, individual teacher voices have fallen on deaf ears in favor of the self-preserving agenda of the teachers unions, which are focused primarily on maintaining a system of forced dues and political power. The public is beginning to recognize that the union does not have the best interest of students — or even teachers — in mind.
To establish an authentic teacher voice, we must recognize that teachers are not synonymous with unions, as their leaders suggest; rather, they are individual professionals with ideas and opinions to bring to the education-reform dialogue.
Hard-working educators do not stand in solidarity with union leaders to protect the status quo. The vast majority of classroom teachers want to see students succeed at all costs, and they are supporting reform efforts like never before.
According to a survey recently released by the Association of American Educators, the largest national nonunion professional educator organization, teachers from coast to coast are embracing policies that promote flexibility and options. Contrary to what teachers unions would have you believe, classroom educators are moving in the direction of progressive education and labor reform, particularly with regard to accountability, school choice and technology.
One of the most prominent themes in education reform has been the concept of raising the bar for incoming educators. Sixty-two percent of AAE-member teachers agree with the idea that just as lawyers must pass state bar exams to practice law, teachers should pass a test that measures their potential to be effective.
(continued in next post)
(cont.)
ReplyDeleteWhile the union-backed establishment has spent decades designing a system that exclusively calls for more dues-paying members, teachers aren't buying increased hiring as a cure-all to school reform. AAE members do not support the current system of uncontrolled hiring and flat-lined enrollment.
In fact, 59 percent of AAE members would support increasing class size by one or two students in grades four through 12 to make more money available for teacher pay, more technology in the classroom and other educational programs.
With regard to school choice, AAE members support certain laws that advance choice and promote options for all stakeholders. Sixty-nine percent of survey respondents support the Washington, D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program that awards needs-based annual scholarships to eligible district children to attend a participating private or parochial D.C. elementary, middle or high school of their parents' choice.
The program has received notable bipartisan support in Congress and is considered one of the most prominent choice systems in the country.
Similarly, 68 percent of member educators also support an Indiana law that provides a tax credit to parents who send their children to a private or parochial school of their choice. Another 74 percent of survey respondents support Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, which allow parents of special-needs students to use state education dollars in a school that meets the student's needs.
Furthermore, as new technologies make it possible for students to learn at their own pace, states across the country are implementing polices that offer and encourage online learning. According to the data, 64 percent of AAE-member teachers support a Florida law that guarantees access to online course work. Another 67 percent of survey respondents agree with a Virginia law that requires students to take at least one online course to graduate.
These data demonstrate that teachers unions are out of touch with the opinions of many classroom teachers. This disconnect has caused thousands of teachers to leave the unions for nonunion, professional associations that offer many of the benefits they need without the union baggage.
In considering new common-sense reforms as we move forward, policymakers and other stakeholders need to know that hundreds of thousands of classroom teachers are indeed agreeable to policies that put students ahead of labor-union interests."
Sounds just like what you wrote 10:42... are their any AAE members in the MTLSD or are they all PSEA?
Sounds like this is a course we need in Mt. Lebanon, especially for some adults.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myclassroomeconomy.org/
"My Classroom Economy
What if all graduating students knew how to budget, how to save more than they spend, and how to resist impulse buying? What if they truly had the skills to be smart with their money?
And what if they began learning these skills in elementary school?
My Classroom Economy enables any educator to teach children financial responsibility through fun, experiential learning. It's a simple classroom economic system based on the idea that students need to earn school "dollars" so that they can rent their own desks.
To earn a paycheck, they need to take on classroom jobs. They can get bonuses for academic performance, outstanding behavior, or extracurricular activities. But students can also incur fines for dishonesty, disrespect, or breaking other classroom rules. And for those who can save more than their rent, the system has rewards."
3:18 your idea of students renting a desk gives me a new thought for revenue generation for Mr. Lebowitz. We could charge $25 per desk per classroom. If the student uses six desks in six classrooms the total fees would be $150 for that student.
ReplyDeleteA lab desk would cost $50 because of the extra equipment in the lab.
The teachers desk would cost $100 because it is more expensive.
The fees would be charged on a per semester basis thereby doubling the cost per year of each fee.
12:03 oh gawd, now you've done it. Larry's going to be excited, he's always excited at the prospect of raising revenue while not being blamed for raising taxes.
ReplyDeleteSo, don't don't be surprised if he latches onto that one.
When we run out of funds we can charge for textbooks instead of charging them to the capital projects fund.
ReplyDelete