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As a classroom teacher, I believe the passing rate is being lowered because the tests are way too difficult. Up until this year I taught 7th grade mathematics. The seventh grade math test for Ohio was, in my opinion, way beyond the level of mathematical understanding appropriate for a 12/13 year old. I wish the states would look at the appropriateness of questions and the ability levels of average students, rather than lower the passing rates. School Library Media & Network Communications <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> writes: >>Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 10:57:54 -0500 >>From: Sharon Hamer <shamer@HYDE.EDU> >>Subject: NO child left behind >> >>There was an article in the New York Times magazine section last Sunday = >>(11/26) by Paul Tough called "What it takes to make a student". I urge = >>all of you to read that (its available through many magazine databases). >> >>I had no idea about one aspect of No Child. States are allowed to set = >>the standards for what proficient means in the standardized state = >>testing, and they are lowering those standards drastically in order to = >>have more students qualify as proficient. Here is a quote: >> >>"The most malignant element of the original law was that it required all >= >>states to achieve proficiency but then allowed each state to define = >>proficiency for itself. It took state governments a couple of years to = >>realize just what that meant, but now they have caught on--and many of = >>them are engaged in an ignoble competition to see which state can demand >= >>the least of its students. At the head of this pack right now is = >>Mississippi, which has declared 89 percent of its fourth-grade students = >>to be proficient readers, the highest percentage, while in fact, the = >>National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that only 18 percent = >>of Mississippi fourth graders know how to read at an appropriate = >>level--the second lowest score of any state. In the past year, Arizona, = >>Maryland, Ohio, North Dakota, and Idaho all followed Mississippi's lead = >>and slashed their standards to label uneducated students educated." >> >>You don't need to respond to me, but please make this known in your = >>communities. >> >>Sharon Hamer >>Librarian >>Hyde School >>Woodstock, Ct. 06281 >>860-963-4726 Mr. J. Vernacotola Seventh Grade Teacher Highland Middle School jvernacotola@barberton.summit.k12.oh.us “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read.” -- Mark Twain "Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation." -- Walter Cronkite -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------