ITBS/ITEDS

[Earl]

The Iowa Test of Basics Skills has to be one of the most boring tests to proctor...let alone to take. 2 hours every day this week is set aside for testing....no specials, nothing. Snacks are provided by the district now.....where were the granola bars and juice when I had to take them?

[Gumbyhawk]

I actually loved these as a kid. Gave me the opportunity to prove that yes... I did indeed pay attention in class and knew the fukking material.

[NOTTHOR]

'Twas bad news once I figured out that the district and my teachers were graded on ITBS scores - I went from a dude who they kept asking to join TAG and take the higher classes (which I always declined bince my homies weren't in there) to a dude whose mom got called with questions about my underachievement.

[Earl]

How about this....Any 7-12 grade student not "proficient" in reading is placed in a special class that replaces an elective. You stay in the class until you are proficient.....based solely on ITBS/ITEDS.....does that impact your effort as a student? How do you feel about it as an adult/parent? Just curious as I have 12 to 30 minute blocks of time.

[Gumbyhawk]

I have no problem with kids being tested to see what they've learned and what areas need improvement. Nothing wrong with that.

Now, the "No Child Left Behind" bullshit... THAT I have a problem with, but it's a WHOLE other subject.

[NOTTHOR]

Wait, so now a few questions on one or two sections of the ITBS decide who goes to the retard room? WTF? The retard room used to be at the discretion of your teachers and parents based on your performance in the classroom, not on the whim of some bureaucrat in DC. Wow, I hope the Democrats win and continue Dubya's legacy of centralization of power, as some mouthbreather whose only job requirement is the ability to fog a mirror should have more say in a kid's education than local authorities and parents.

[MoHawk]

bigtimeralph said:

Wait, so now a few questions on one or two sections of the ITBS decide who goes to the retard room? WTF? The retard room used to be at the discretion of your teachers and parents based on your performance in the classroom, not on the whim of some bureaucrat in DC. Wow, I hope the Democrats win and continue Dubya's legacy of centralization of power, as some mouthbreather whose only job requirement is the ability to fog a mirror should have more say in a kid's education than local authorities and parents.

NCLB sucks. It forces teachers, to a certain extent, to teach to the tests...rather than the curriculum, if that makes any sense. It's ridiculous that an entire district can basically be brought down by a relatively small group of students that don't "meet or exceed expectations".

There are some kids that just aren't going to perform at expected levels due to a variety of factors...be it learning disabilities, physical disabilities or whatever. NCLB calls for 100% levels by 2014 or so. It's a noble idea...but completely unrealistic, and tying funding to NCLB performance levels is, in my own opinion, holding districts hostage by the feds.