why don't my child's ERB test scores correspond to his school performance?
400920
It is not uncommon for students at all educational levels to perform well in the classroom setting, but poorly on standardized tests. Some children do not "test" well. They freeze up under the considerable stress of the formal test-taking session or they fail to understand or take advantage of beneficial test-taking techniques. The flip side to this is that students of average ability may be excellent test-takers and can outperform more "intelligent" students. \n\nSeveral important things to remember about standardized test taking:\n1. Help minimize the stress your child feels about the test. Don't heap her full of expectations. Let her know that you expect her best effort and that the grade is less important. \n2. If practice tests are available, encourage her to take one. Practice really helps with standardized tests. \n3. Go over helpful test-taking techniques with her. Answering the easiest questions first and eliminating obvious wrong answers can go a long way toward improving scores.\n\nUltimately, you must decide what is important to you about her achieving a high score. If low scores are preventing you child from being included in advance coursework that you think she should be taking, then you might consider working with her to imporve her scores. However, there are copious examples in the world today of parents who push their children way too hard in school. I would advise you to be aware of pushing too hard, which can place undue stress on a child and can result in a child who is unwilling and unable to make her own decisions later in life. Unltimately, she will decide how harp she will apply herself and her talents. \n\nParenting can really be stressful sometimes, eh?  Good luck!  :)
888738
sorry, but i have to agree with your parents. I mean in a perfect world you shouldnt be punished, but us teens lie all the time about what part or parts of their instructions we heard. Stuff like that happens all the time to me. Besides if you think you have it bad, I once got beat by my parents when i got a 3.5gpa, so if you want to know whether something is worth complaining about, compare it to that.
156287
i wouldnt be worrying so much about grades, but the content.  if they are missing a lot of key concepts and ideas that are appropriate for that age level, something needs to be done.  im an educator in texas and we have spelling activities every week, cursive is taught in third, and science is all year.  but there is so much more to school than those few things.  from what you have said, it makes me wonder what else is falling through the cracks?  i would contact the school board, the district superintendants, and whoever else you need to get this resolved.  check up on required curriculum for the state and see if this school/class is meeting those.
361777
I don't live in Georgia, however I know the answer to this question.  Students don't realize this, but teachers are very stressed out around test time.  Though we are not physically taking the test, we know that your scores will reflect on us--well or poorly.
933449
What do you define as "poor performance"?  When you can be specific about the data that supports your allegation, it becomes much easier to find the causes.\n\nBe careful about the sources of your statistical data.  Frequently, they are politically slanted.\n\nWhen we find a way to measure whether a student has been educated to limit of his/her individual ability and not to some arbitrary standard, we will be on our way to determining the success of our educational system.
954990
Do you know how some people are dyslexic, where they have trouble reading?  I am an adult who has always had a terrible time with anything that has numbers in it.  No one tested way back when I was in school but they do now.  Have your child tested, they will find out if he needs some help.  In some cases they will give him extra time to finish his math exams.  Some people need to take "open book" tests.  I am one of those people.  I have always excelled at reading, math was a nightmare.  I studied so hard, and as long as the book was open, and I could see the formula to finish the math problem I was okay.  The second the book closed I had no idea what to do.  It is good to know now if there is a problem, because it kept me away from getting more education.  If I had been tested they could have helped me, I would have gone for a four year degree.  Good luck to you and your son.  You are a good mom.
32689
your school counseler is the best person to help you with that question. it shouldn't be dificult. but i think you have to takes some tests.
816715
If I understand your question correctly, you want to know what the grade equivalent is on a standardized test? The grade accompanying the sub tests, ie English, Math Science etc. means your child tested AT that grade level regardless of what grade they are in at present. For instance, maybe your daughter is in 6th grade but tested at a 9th grade reading level. Hope that helps a little. These things can be confusing!
895343
The TAKS Test evaluates students' performances statewide, which in turn when scores are averaged up, assesses the districts' and individual schools' performances among different grades and ethnic groups. Which is solely dependent upon school funding. IPoorer school districts don't always perform well due to lack of proper funding for certified teachers and learning materials necessary for acedemic success. All in all, a lack of resources.  The state has created cirriculumns for each grade level on what is expected of the student to learn for the TAKS.\n\nAnyway, I do understand your son's reasoning. I was personally affected by the TAKS Test, and being two years into college, the affects of this test remain. The TAKS does not prepare students from the future, much less college. Most of  the material covered won't be used again. And your son is not the first case of being an exceptional student but not testing well. This is partly due to the immense pressure placed upon him and his fellow peers to perform well on the test. Please encourage him not to give up. Remind him that the average adult working part time with a diploma earns about $20,000.00 a year at most, and without a diploma, on average about $15,000.00. And introduce him to what new financial responsibilities he'll acquire once he's on his own (i.e. health insurance, car insurance, rent, ultilities, food, miscelaneous, etc.). I've done budget assignments in my college courses on both these budgets, and they're very effective.\n\nSome things that could help your son in regards to testing, would be to take a break when frustrated, and clear his mind. If the answer isn't clear, then move on to the next question and come back to it later. Do the easier questions first, and tackle the harder ones after. This will keep his mind flowing and ready to deal with the harder set of questions. In doing so, he might come to realize that most the questions that seemed ridiculous are really easy questions worded differently to provoke a certain thought process.\n\nAlso, there are materials available to help prepare for the TAKS Test. But the most important piece of advice I can give you, is to let him know that no matter what you love him and are proud of him. Also, that this his last year of dealing with the TAKS - and to make the most if it. If he doesn't pass this spring don't worry, he has ample chances to retake and pass it.
608041
It's probably SAT-9.  The school probably sent the tests to the state, and the state should send the results to you.  But I don't know, without knowing which state we're talking about, whether the school gets individual student scores back from the state or only schoolwide scores.  Nevertheless, the school keeps a cum (cumulative) file on your student, and you have a legal right to see it.  Insist.  If necessary, insist with a lawyer in tow, and if necessary talk to the district, county, and state school boards.
520621
It's possible this child does not have the capability to catch up.  In cases like this, schools often allow the student to attend just to get them out into society rather than locked away in loneliness at home.  I attended school with such a child.  He was fantastic with art and music and that's what he did throughout his school day.  The other students loved him and he was much happier being with kids his own age.  There was no question about his ability to learn......\n\nSome teachers will pass a student believing the next teacher will do better at teaching them but that would be a negligent thing to do.
117415
yeah, i can help.  i can help you be a better parent by giving you some advice:  don't do your son's homework for him.  you are sending him to school to learn, aren't you?  how is he going to ever learn how to do anything if you spend days doing his work for him?  \n\nsure, he might end up with an A in first grade, but who cares about what you got in first grade?  you could make an argument that grades are important to his future if they are high school grades, but it's far more important that he actually *learn* things at this age.\n\nsheesh.
538700
You need to physically visit a school during teaching time to gauge it's worth. You will get a feeling as to whether it is right for your child or not, and that does not necessarily follow that it is one of the highest in the league tables. It is purely a personal thing.
506801
It will correct itself because your son will primarily mimic his parents. Children go to school and learn naughty language, but they correct themselves in front of their parents when they get home.\nYour son is a sweetheart. You must be very proud of him.
1123923
Believe it or not, there was one teacher that my son had, that would not give letter or number grades on anything other than report cards, because she didn't want to make anyone feel bad for not doing as well as someone else.  LOL ! \n\nSo no I really don't think the current grading system works.  I think it should be a cut and dried system. you know the answer-you got it right, you don't know the answer-you got it wrong.  Not this pampering of lazy uneducated children.  SO they really think these children's future boss' will give a great rats @ss about how they feel when they don't do so well at work today??? I doubt it too!
775160
I think so yes. Talk to your child's dean, or councilor. they will know. It is not the same everywhere though. BE CAREFUL WITH MOVING! Do not let any credits get "lost" or "mixed up". I moved three times in high school. By my last three months in my Senior year, they told me my credits were not in order. I have about 2 in a half in algebra 2 1 in a half in geometry, NONE for English 1 and 2. When a child moves from state to state in high school, some teachers quite, and don't turn in what they need to, and sometimes they get your credits mixed up with someone Else's. It is a big problem. I moved from North Carolina, to Texas, and than to New Mexico while I was working on my high school credits. Just be careful, and make sure everything is in order with the credits BEFORE your child starts a new year. I ended up needing to do two whole years of homes school because of that. It also made me decide to not go to public schools anymore. Good luck with all.
157758
The final test is and obviously should be important, but it shouldn't be the ONLY thing your graduation depends on.  Your year's worth of work should also count for something.  Even though your test results generally reflect your general level of work, there are some people who may be good students in general but not good test takers, and that system is not fair for them.