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Mack9512 posted 10/7/2013 10:28 AM

So my DD, who is in the 2nd grade, had to take the S.T.A.R. test a couple of weeks ago. It's not 'officially' given to kids that are not at least in the 4th grade but in my state they give it to K thru 3rd just to see how the child is doing. Under the state guidelines the school is not obligated to provide the results of the test to the parents because the test is not 'officially' given and therefore mean nothing. I have a big issue with this because the schools use the scores to determine if a child is going to go to "reading comprehension class" or to "math tutoring" which is not part of the regular curriculum. What chaps my hide is that we, the parents, find out about these "special classes" by our children, and let's face it, a 7-year-old is going to get the story about 75% correct.

My DD scored at 2nd grade + 5 months for math and between 1st grade 5 months and 2nd grade 5 months for reading. Technically both of these scores are “on level” however; my DD’s teacher told DD that she needs go to this special class to work on her reading and comprehension. Great information to know but the teacher should be telling my H and I this…not our 7-year-old!!! The information that my DD gave us was that ‘Mrs. Bxxxx hates me and thinks I’m a horrible reader. I’m never going to be able to be rock star because I can’t read the words to the songs! Mrs. Bxxxxx said so!!!” The crocodile tears were enough to make me go ballistic. Even more so now because DD is even more timid to read out loud than she was before!!! GRRRRR……

Sorry just venting here so I don’t ruin the rest of my DD’s school year by throttling Mrs. Bxxxx.

tushnurse posted 10/7/2013 11:51 AM

You need to march your hiney up to that school right now, and have a talk with Mrs. Bxxx, the counselor, and the principal. That is unacceptable for a teacher or school to do. If your kid is being segregated for any reason, as a parent you need to know ahead of time. You also need to be given the opportunity to work with your child to improve these things. Popping them into a special group, and no notice does ZERO to bring the school/teacher/kids/parents together to work as a team, and as far as I am concerned is unacceptable.

Your daughter at 7 shouldnt be having this stuff just dropped on her. If she is below where she needs to be, there needs to be a discussion, and further workup as to why (perhaps dyslexia or some other LD), and tips and tools for Mom and Dad to help. Why didn't they give you something to work with her over the summer if she was below where she needed to be?

Inexcusable in my book. We get one chance to get kids to really become engaged in school, and feel like they get it, are worth it, and help motivate them to continue on that path all the way through, and this is a bad start.

You can quote me if you like, but you and other parents need to speak up now, and speak up loudly.

k94ever posted 10/7/2013 11:52 AM

Ummmm...I'd be the one calling the principle AND Mrs. Bxxxx and telling both of them what your DD told you.

The teacher should know better and the principle needs to know what she's telling the kids.

k9

silentheart posted 10/7/2013 12:43 PM

I don't even have children and your post made me mad and sad! You are completely in the right for the way you are feeling. My Aunt is a 1st grade teacher and they have strict rules where she works and in this situation the parents would have known 100% and the child would NOT have been told these things. The principal needs to be aware of this asap!

Jennifer99 posted 10/7/2013 13:48 PM

btdt - when I marched my hiney to the school for some talks all they did was turn it around on DS being "too sensitive" and "exaggerating" and lying.

I got further by explaining to my son that everyone has different things they are good at and different things they need help with and it is the job of these people there to make sure he learns the best HE can. It also worked so that he didn't get a big head for getting to go to the "advanced" class for one of his subjects.

Mack9512 posted 10/7/2013 14:24 PM

Well, I called the school and talked to the principal and Mrs. Bxxxx. I tried to break the conversation down into talking points.
1. I explained to them that unnecessary testing brings unnecessary stress into the children's lives.
They agreed but played the 'mandated by state law'. They didn't expect for me to have read up on the state mandates and no, testing kids in grades lower than 4th grade is NOT a mandate, just a suggestion. Then their answer changed to 'the school district believes it is a useful tool.' I agreed that it is a good tool but..

2. What the hell is up with all of the secrecy? Why weren't the parents informed that the test was going to take place and, more importantly, why are the results only available upon request.
Their answer was because the results don't mean anything, really.
When I brought up the fact that they used the results to determine special classes the results DO mean something so all parents should be informed on all decisions.
They hemmed and hawed about this one so I will need to bring it up again and maybe even go to the Superintendent.

3. I asked point blank what Mrs. Bxxxx said to my DD in regard to additional reading comprehension classes.
Mrs. Bxxxx said that she told DD that improving her reading comprehension would help her in her career as a rock star and that it will definitely help her with writing songs.
I have to believe her on this one. My DD is extremely sensitive to any type of negative feedback...even when it isn't negative feedback. My DD can be part of a 30 minute conversation and latch onto one word that was said and take it as an insult. btdt However, I told Mrs. Bxxxx that from now on I would appreciate her being a little bit more cognizant how and what she says to the children in her class.

tushnurse posted 10/7/2013 15:51 PM

Good for you Mack!!!

I would take it up to the superintendent. If you were not even informed that the testing was happening how can you be sure your kid was up to par (any kid was up to par) on testing day.

My district is the other extreme with it. We get notes, emails, texts, tomorrow is testing day for your child, please make sure they get 8 hours of sleep and healthy nutritious breakfast. Blah blah blah.

I agree that those tests can be a tool, but not the ultimate decision maker. And not sharing with parents is inexcusable at that grade level.