Module 30:
Case Study: Elementary School
Asses:
Reflect and Evaluate:
1. What are the ramifications for the school district if the test scores fall below AYP goals for the second year? The school is labeled as "in need of improvement" They are then required to get a plan to improve these problems. (Bohlin 553).
2. Ms. Fernandez notes the large number of students in the school with learning disabilities. Based on problems associated with NCLB, explain why this may or may not be a legitimate point. Students that have learning disabilities are put at risk for scoring lower than average students on standardized tests. This would mean that all of the students with learning disabilities need to have special teaching and learning methods taught to them. ( Bohlin 556).
3. Ms. Seifert suggests several ways to improve students' scores by providing more test preparation. According to the description of test score pollution, which of her ideas are good and which are not? Why?
4. Why might Ms. LeBlanc's suggestion to extend the time allotted for students who have difficulty reading be an example of test score pollution? How might her suggestion be a legitimate solution?
5. Ms. Fernandez suggests that the students with disabilities should have assessments and decisions should be made regarding accommodations. Who is likely to make those decisions? What are some general guidelines for providing accommodations?
Case Study: Elementary School
Asses:
- After reading the teachers' responses, in your opinion, how concerned should Ms. Bowman be about the fallen standardized test scores? I believe that Ms. Bowman should be somewhat concerned about the fallen standardized tests. Any significant amount of negative change in children's test scores should be of concern. The change shows that either the curriculum, or the teachers are doing something wrong
- Give each persons's e-mail a score based on how accurate you think the explanation is for the fallen test scores, and why did you give that score? Ms. Fernandez: 3. Her response was very accurate, She explained exactly why she believes the test scores have dropped. Her explanation is that they fell because so many students have learning disabilities that are not being helped. Mr. Whitney: 3. He specifically states what is wrong and why the scores have fallen. He also explains a solution for the problem. Ms. LeBlanc: 2. She shares a problem that she has noticed but she does not fully explain why all of the grades have fallen, only thee grades of the kids she works with. Ms. Seifert: 3. She gives an explanation to the problem as well as a possible solution. Her response is very helpful. Ms. Rivadeneyra: 2. Her response reaches the emotions of the students since there was recently a shooting a few blocks from the school when the test was taken. This provides somewhat of an accurate reason why the test grades were down. Mr. Washington: 1. He gives no explanation as to why they are down. He asked why this is even a problem because the students they teach are from primarily lowered- SES homes. Ms. Cong: 2. She explains that this is a problem but she does not address how or why it is a problem.
- Give each person's email a score based on how helpful their suggestions are for improving test scores, and why? Ms. Fernadnez: 3. Her response was very helpful since she explains why she thinks the grades have fallen as well as a possible solution. Mr. Whitney: 2. He gives a possible explanation to the problem but provides no solution. This is why his response is somewhat helpful. Ms. LeBlanc:2. Her response is somewhat helpful. She gives an explanation of the problem but her solution is only somewhat plausible. Ms. Seifert. 3. She gives a good explanation as too why the students are not doing well on the exams. She also gives a good and possible solution. Ms. Rivadeneyra: 2. Her response was not very helpful. She explained the emotional cause of the students exams but gave no possible solution to the problem. She just explains a cause. Mr. Washington:1. He does not give any possible cause or solution. He does not see this as a problem as all. Therefore his point is irrelevant. Ms. Cong: 2. She does not state any cause to the problem or solution. She just agrees with the principal and says that it is good that we are concerned about this problem.
Reflect and Evaluate:
1. What are the ramifications for the school district if the test scores fall below AYP goals for the second year? The school is labeled as "in need of improvement" They are then required to get a plan to improve these problems. (Bohlin 553).
2. Ms. Fernandez notes the large number of students in the school with learning disabilities. Based on problems associated with NCLB, explain why this may or may not be a legitimate point. Students that have learning disabilities are put at risk for scoring lower than average students on standardized tests. This would mean that all of the students with learning disabilities need to have special teaching and learning methods taught to them. ( Bohlin 556).
3. Ms. Seifert suggests several ways to improve students' scores by providing more test preparation. According to the description of test score pollution, which of her ideas are good and which are not? Why?
4. Why might Ms. LeBlanc's suggestion to extend the time allotted for students who have difficulty reading be an example of test score pollution? How might her suggestion be a legitimate solution?
5. Ms. Fernandez suggests that the students with disabilities should have assessments and decisions should be made regarding accommodations. Who is likely to make those decisions? What are some general guidelines for providing accommodations?