Standardized tests

[TXmom]

What do ya'll think about all the acheivement tests the kids are taking? I know they've been around forever - I took them when I was in school. There's just such a huge emphasis on them in this new school district we've moved into. The scout pack meeting was cancelled last night and ds's baseball practice was short due to TAAS testing the next day. Ds has been tutored for months for the TAAS, and I've worked with him at home in addition to the work they've done in class on it. I know for a fact they're teaching the test. There was one question last night (this is a third grader) that asked which shape had more than 5 sides - a triangle, a parallelogram, a hexagon and a pentagon. He knew it was a hexagon because he had seen the question so many times, but he doesn't know how many sides a hexagon has. Just wanted to know what others are going through during this big test time. Oh, also, there doesn't seem to be as much emphasis on it for my middle schooler as my grade schooler. Anyone know why?

[AnnW]

Ah yes...this is your first experience with TAAS!!!! LOL

Here it is a pretty big deal in middle school and high school, not sure why it isn't there.
I don't have any problem with the test except that I think it is sneaky. Our school incorporates the TAAS info and test taking into their normal cirriculum so I don't feel like we teach to TAAS. I do remember the 3rd grade teachers getting a little flipped cause it's the kids first time with TAAS. When dd's class gets to 3rd, it will be the first time that they will be required to pass before being promoted.
Baseball was cancelled for the week, but for once I think that's showing a decent priority that school comes before sports.
I just don't get real worked up over TAAS.

[kat]

That's what ds is going through this week. We are doing ACTAP. In grade school and middle school it's the 4th, 6th, and 8th that take it. I think that's right. (I'm in kindergarten, what do I know.)
There are alot of things wrong with them but alot of good comes from them too.
I know I'm real upset because my ds isn't ready and I don't suspect will do well, especially in math. My son's case is a little different in that instead of teaching to the test, I feel like they are trying to "dumb" them down because at least for 6th grade this year is a "norming" year. So they don't want them to do real well because this doesn't count except to set a standard. Next year's scores will then be compared to this year's for growth. So my son was left in the dark on many things so the norm wouldn't be set too high. I'm furious.
As an educator I don't think we need to dumb them down so we can look like we've improved next year. I think we should set the bar and continue to raise it. Just MHO.