So I was wondering, is there a way to get some kind of accountability for the reading level of students at an earlier age? By the time they get to high school, if they are reading at a low level, it becomes very difficult to teach them these abstract concepts. And, if they are expected to perform well on these standardized tests, which for a big part test their reading abilities, then how do we help them become better readers? There is so much emphasis placed on getting all of our content across that teaching reading is virtually out of the question. I believe the real area of improvement is somewhere between 1st and 3rd grade... That is where major hiccups occur in children getting stuck on certain reading levels and not being able to improve. So can there be some requirements placed on them based on reading at this level? Currently, teachers can recommend a student be held back, but if the parent isn't on board, it doesn't happen. What about making that mandatory, or at least some kind of enrollment in a reading program of sorts to get all students to a certain level before passing them along. I think this is the only way that anyone can honestly expect for high school teachers to get students to the level that the now mandated tests are asking them to be at.
Just some thoughts :)
What effect do you think the exemption of NCLB in KY will have on this situation?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it's hard to say at this point. I think it is going to take at least a couple of years before we'll have solid data about these new tests. And then, new standards and new tests will probably come, so it can be a bit confusing. We'll just have to wait and see :)
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