Yeah. Good Times.: Take your test prep and shove it

xmlns:og='http://ogp.me/ns#' Yeah. Good Times.: Take your test prep and shove it

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Take your test prep and shove it

To the Principal and administration of my son's school:

As you know, my autistic son is mainstreamed in 4th grade at your school. While he is quite verbal and sweet-natured, he has a number of issues that affect how he learns within a classroom. In particular, he has difficulty focusing on what the teacher is saying, despite having an aide most of the time.

I understand the necessity of homework in this case; to let him have extra practice on the material he works on during the day. However, it's been rather obvious to me that the quality of his homework has changed significantly since the start of 4th grade. I have noticed a good deal of emphasis being placed on preparing him for "The Test:" four page math quizzes, "Response to Literature" story matrices, a constant flow of fables to "deconstruct," etc.

As my son is autistic, his best method of learning is by rote, and for his "least restrictive environment," he needs repetition for the material to sink in. By making him spend so much time preparing for The Test, you're doing nothing but taking away from the time that could be spend learning his basic academic skills. Please note that I purposely did not write this letter to his teacher, as I fully understand that her hands are tied when it comes to this issue, and have no desire to take her to task over it. Making my son do test prep homework is about our school's AYP, and nothing more.

The point in him even going to school is so that he can learn, not so that he can pass a state test; right now he's in 4th grade and reads at a 1st grade level. He doesn't need to practice for the state 4th grade writing exam, he needs to be able to read and write. He doesn't need to fill in the numbers on a Coordinate Grid, he needs to know how to add and subtract. It doesn't matter how he scores on your test. It doesn't matter about whatever political or economical impact his score or participation may or may not have on your district budget. What matters is that he learns, and by distracting him from his learning with meaningless test prep, you are failing to do your job.

That said, I look forward to squaring off with you over the table at our next IEP meeting in February, because this will be all we talk about.

Sincerely,

jillsmo
Mom to Child 1, in 4th grade

Comments (69)

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Andrea · 686 weeks ago

Seems that letter needs to be sent much further up the line as well, in the event that they tell you their hands are tied too. This letter needs to go to whoeve it is that's tying everybody's hands!
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2 replies · active 686 weeks ago

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Amanda · 686 weeks ago

I hate those state tests. I don't remember spending so much time on them. And really, you can have the smartest kid in the whole district in your school, but if that kid simply doesn't test well, those tests show shit. I really wish they'd go back to teaching practical and useful information so I'm not teaching so much of it at home. There are so many times I feel like I'm home schooling my son and I ask him, "Don't you learn anything when you're actually IN school?"
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1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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Sherri · 686 weeks ago

Well said.

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Kimberly · 686 weeks ago

Until NCLB dies a most horrible/painful death, this is our reality in the foreseeable future.

3 replies · active 686 weeks ago

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Mom2MissK 74p · 686 weeks ago

You GO with your bad self! I could not have said it better myself!
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blogginglily 73p · 686 weeks ago

At the risk of qualifying for an "all kids do that" rebuttal, I know TONS of parents who despise the State mandated testing requirements for their states. The argument being, in general, that they aren't teaching the subjects to the children, they're teaching them the test. At the end of the test, they'll (presumably) pass, but may not actually know the subject. Just how to take the state test.

That said, I recognize the difference between what you're arguing and what most parents argue (my wife despises these tests and would get very scowly and grumbly when our older daughter was preparing for them).

During our IEP we discussed the PSSA (our version. . . Pennsylvania Scholastic.. . Something Something). It seemed like something that we could relatively easily eliminate from Lily's requirements. I'm sure it varies from State to State, but our IEP has sections in it where a Yes/No check box eliminates her requirement from taking it, or opts her into an adapted version of it.

Nothing like that there? Or is that the nature of the dispute? They think he can do it? Or SHOULD do it, regardless of whether he can?
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6 replies · active 686 weeks ago

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Tracey Becker · 686 weeks ago

Yeah, and that's why we pulled the kids out when eldest was in 4th grade. We now homeschool. Thank God.

I recommend wine. Lots of wine.
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1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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imasassyblonde 40p · 686 weeks ago

jillsmo...very well said. I am fed up with teaching to pass the test. I cannot imagine the frustration that special needs mom's must face every day in making sure that their child is getting what they NEED to succeed in life rather than what some blowhard politician or pencil pusher decides must be done. You are a good mom (despite your recent posting of looking like an ass) and know what Child1 needs. You are his only advocate...you go girl! Kick some bureaucratic ass!

1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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lostinidaho 38p · 686 weeks ago

What the admin doesn't understand is that if you teach him A, B will come naturally. You only need test prep when you're learning new subjects for the testing, which means they're not teaching at the state curriculum.

Fail, district. Fail.

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1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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Jim Reeve · 686 weeks ago

Good fo you. It's important as parents of kids with an ASD, that we advocate for them all the time. If your child's school isn't taking the necessary steps to ensure that your child gets a proper education, then you/we need to let them know.
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jaclyn1423 47p · 686 weeks ago

Based on the three most recent blog posts here, you're my new favorite blogger, and I'm very happy I was able to find you on the Twitters. New reader here!! ((waves)) Hello!

1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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Sarah · 686 weeks ago

Same boat here, minus the autism. All it is these days is test prep and district assessments. My child (3rd grade) needs some extra help on reading and writing, but the test anxiety has got a hold of him now, and he's even struggling with math (his favorite and all time best subject, ever). he has huge meltdowns during test prep sessions and assessments (most of which are timed). I cannot even get so much as a conference before the normal time so that I can see where he stands and pay for him to get tutoring, to get him back on track. All I want is for my child to be taught the things he needs to learn! Honestly, I wish I was independently wealthy so that I could quit my job and home-school my children right about now, and I never thought I would be the one to say something like that.
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1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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Heather · 686 weeks ago

Check this out-- it's about revolutionizing the education system.
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_ed...
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pugariffic 41p · 686 weeks ago

you are so rockin'!!!! fabulous letter.. cant wait for the iep lol

squaring off lolololol I LOVE IT!!
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1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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Rebecca · 686 weeks ago

Yeah, tomorrow.....the big day. I'm baking a cake for the IEP team. Transitioning from preschool to elementary school. Gonna sweeten them up with cake before I make my demands...I mean requests.
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9 replies · active 686 weeks ago

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thissideoftypical 57p · 686 weeks ago

Lady--you are so right on.

I wanted to tell you yesterday that this is VITAL. They simply cannot test away the fact he is not reading at grade level--in fact that needs to show up in their AYP. Schools spend so much time trying to "get around" the test instead of actually teaching teh curriculum and making sure the kids really are at grade level. They cannot hide behind test prep--the truth will show.

keep fighting this fight sister! And as someone posted above--bring cookies to the IEP--it will soften the blow. ;)
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2 replies · active 686 weeks ago

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K A B L O O E Y · 686 weeks ago

I couldn't bring cookies into battle, no matter how much it'd help. This post is terrific because it explains the argument so well. It's sometimes so hard to cogently frame what I want when talking to teachers and administrators, and when I get mad, I get teary, which never. fucking. helps. Congrats to you and other moms like you who are fierce advocates for your kids.
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Not a Perfect Mom · 686 weeks ago

I can't stand standardized testing....my oldest is in 1st now and in a few years my daughter with DS will be in school and I'll have to deal with similar crap...
I can't wait to hear how the IEP goes...good luck
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Kat · 686 weeks ago

I like your style.

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Margaret · 686 weeks ago

Awesome! This is a great post! Testing is ALL about the school and nothing about the kids but oh how they will try and convince us that it is about the kids. Thank you for standing up and speaking out! We spoke with our feet and our daughter is now home-schooled.

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Donna L · 686 weeks ago

Trust me, most teachers are right there with you. I applaud you for recognizing that this problem originates higher up the food chain. Often people want to vilify the teachers who are 'teaching to the test," when in reality they are told their jobs are on the line if they don't. It's frustrating all the way around, let me tell you! I wish we could get back to realizing that what teachers do (or should be allowed to do, in my opinion), is far grander in scope than what appears on a multiple choice test...
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OKinUK · 686 weeks ago

Little known fact: IEP students' test scores are not included in the aggregated AYP submitted to district, state, and federal oversights. At least, not in OK. Also, not included are students who have missed 10 consecutive and 20 total days.

Keep your kid home for two weeks.

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chocolatewasteland 50p · 686 weeks ago

It really KILLS me at how the schools across the country push for The Test, including kids with special needs. I can't tel you how many of my clients flipped out during testing because they 1) didn't understand the work, 2) couldn't handle the structure, 3) couldn't get all the assistance required to even help them handle the structure, and 4) knew the moon was full...or going to be soon.

You go! I would send it to the school board, too. :D

6 replies · active 686 weeks ago

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aspieside 42p · 686 weeks ago

The tests are horrible! Last year they took away his intervention period for a quarter to work on THE TEST. They couldn't understand why that upset him or how that was an issue. I wish I could say it gets better but as they get older and into high school it gets worse! So if can opt out do so quickly!
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Erin · 686 weeks ago

I am a mother of a daughter with Apsergers, and a second grade teacher. Unfortunately, tests put an extreme amount of pressure upon the kids and teachers! The worst thing is that all kids are being held to the same extremely high standards regardless of their abilities, or disabilities. In the future teachers will be evaluated based upon these results. Eventually, I may lose my job if children do not do well enough on their tests! I think of myself as a very warm, supportive, and accepting teacher and I admit that I was actually mad at one of my students last week because they were fighting a stomach bug! I knew that they didn't feel well, but I also knew that they needed to learn the skill I was teaching because it was on the Unit test that was coming up. In the past, I would not have minded because obviously the child couldn't help it. But now, my test results (along the other teachers' of other grades) are analyzed by my principal, and the weaknesses of my students will be shown at faculty and board meetings in the future. Higher standards are great! Standards that cause students and teachers to push to their breaking points are not! I can honestly tell you that teachers hate it too!

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Kim · 686 weeks ago

I know in Missouri, you can opt out of the test if you have an IEP - I'm betting that's true in all states. And the stats won't show your son's difficulties anyway - they're in a separate report, way in the back, where it also shows how many special needs kids actually graduate.
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A Morning Grouch · 686 weeks ago

As a teacher I can tell you that teachers 100% AGREE WITH YOU. We have no effing choice - and in fact this is what is starting to be used to determine if teachers are "effective" or not - leading to firing or retaining based on test scores - sometimes alone. SCARY ISN'T IT?! As if these test scores in any way truly show how the students are progressing - both academically and socially. I am finding I am being forced to take time away from what I think is important (life skills/understanding of disability areas/organization) to teach to a test.....that may or may not help this kid in the long run. SAD.
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wantapeanutblog 70p · 686 weeks ago

I know it's coming sooner than I'd like, but I'm so glad Moe is in preschool and I don't have to deal with this right now. Thanks for paving the way :)
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Dani G · 686 weeks ago

you forgot "PS: suck it"
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1 reply · active 686 weeks ago

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Just Jennifer · 686 weeks ago

I freaking HATE standardized testing! My daughter (who has ADD) didn't pass hers last year by just FOUR points. Yet not passing means she has to take a "Literacy Lift" class EVERY DAY instead of an elective. FOUR POINTS means she doesn't get to do anything creative. Academics ONLY. She's in 6th grade, her first year in middle school, and she's overwhelmed by it all. It's such crap! But it's FREE public education. What can I do about their need for the stupid test scores?
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smili76 42p · 686 weeks ago

LOVE this post! I feel similarly about the teaching and tests...I wish you luck at the IEP meeting!

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Eryn · 686 weeks ago

People often say to me "I could never homeschool, it must be so hard."

I scoff & think back to all the homework my daughter brought home in public school (especially 4th & 5th grades). This was easily a full days worth of work, but was supposed to be completed in the couple of precious hours between when she got home & bed after being in school for 8 hours, in the middle of all the other crap you're supposed to do with kids in the evenings to ensure they are well-rounded college applicants, err, I mean adults.

Anyway. You see how pissy THAT makes me, you should have been there when my daughter's 3rd grade teacher said that they spent HOURS teaching the kids how to fill out the standardized test questions & keep them in the little box, so the scanner would record their answers.

Not on the math, science, or reading they were being tested on, but how to fill out the form. So much wasted time.

/rant

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Unexplained X2 · 685 weeks ago

I would definitely cc a few more people on that letter. It needs to be said to higher-ups again and again. We are NOT teaching our children how to learn, how to have intellectual curiosity, problem solving, or the basic skills they will need to survive in this world!!!

It needs to be shouted out and rebelled against because it is ridiculous!!!

Signed, a former middle school teacher (who always got in trouble for speaking my mind, but didn't really care)
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