jsfowler
03-30-2008, 05:48 AM
In Kentucky (at least at my school anyway:p), we are waiting on pins and needles to see if two bills are going to be passed - one we are for, the other we are not.
1. They want to change our end-of-the-year testing. Right now the Kentucky Core Content Test is set up with open response questions. They test Reading, writing, math, science, social studies, practical living, and arts & humanities. They are thinking about lessening the number of open responses and adding more MC. The students are already writing a portfolio in 4th, 7th, and 12th and an on-demand writing in 5th, 8th, and 11th (I think it's 11th). Beginning in 3rd grade it is mandatory that every student have a working portfolio. I think that is enough wrtiting to make sure they are progressing.
2. Many school districts have complained about Eastern Kentucky school districts starting school so early (around August 6th). They are saying that we get more instructional days than they do before the test. In my opinion, many of them are just embarrased that Eastern KY schools are beating them (don't believe what you see on TV...the majority of the towns they call Eastern KY are really Southern KY and they choose the one family that still fits the stereotype of 50 years ago!). Any way, they want every school in the state to start on the same day (3rd week of August) and continue having "THE test" on the same days. Well then, that is not fair to us. We miss approximately 10 more days a year for bad weather (flooding, snow, etc.) than they do. It really isn't that we think those 10 days are going to make a huge difference on the test (our kids are prepared!), but starting later will almost push us into July before we get out of school.
We will see what happens over the summer. Hopefully we will be able to start school on August 6th and get out around May 20-something. And be taking multiple choice tests (with maybe one or two open responses) the first 2 weeks of May.
1. They want to change our end-of-the-year testing. Right now the Kentucky Core Content Test is set up with open response questions. They test Reading, writing, math, science, social studies, practical living, and arts & humanities. They are thinking about lessening the number of open responses and adding more MC. The students are already writing a portfolio in 4th, 7th, and 12th and an on-demand writing in 5th, 8th, and 11th (I think it's 11th). Beginning in 3rd grade it is mandatory that every student have a working portfolio. I think that is enough wrtiting to make sure they are progressing.
2. Many school districts have complained about Eastern Kentucky school districts starting school so early (around August 6th). They are saying that we get more instructional days than they do before the test. In my opinion, many of them are just embarrased that Eastern KY schools are beating them (don't believe what you see on TV...the majority of the towns they call Eastern KY are really Southern KY and they choose the one family that still fits the stereotype of 50 years ago!). Any way, they want every school in the state to start on the same day (3rd week of August) and continue having "THE test" on the same days. Well then, that is not fair to us. We miss approximately 10 more days a year for bad weather (flooding, snow, etc.) than they do. It really isn't that we think those 10 days are going to make a huge difference on the test (our kids are prepared!), but starting later will almost push us into July before we get out of school.
We will see what happens over the summer. Hopefully we will be able to start school on August 6th and get out around May 20-something. And be taking multiple choice tests (with maybe one or two open responses) the first 2 weeks of May.