Well, it's Friday night and the
MEAP test is over for Algonquin this year. Sixth and eighth grade students had eleven days of testing. The seventh grade had nine days of testing. Now we wait for scores.
Most students seemed to care about how they did on the tests. Unfortunately we haven't learned how to have everyone care. I watched one student finish his math portion in less than five minutes. This is the part of
NCLB I have concern with. Even if all students master the State objectives, if all students don't try on the
MEAP we can't reach 100%.
I do like State testing so I have a measure on how we are doing
compared to other schools. What I don't like is the time it takes from instruction. Maybe the future will bring a more time efficient test.
Labels: MEAP Testing
When is a knife a weapon?
First, I'm glad I rarely need to explain this to a student. A knife is considered a weapon in Michigan if it is over 3 inches from tip to hilt. The important thing to remember is that just because a small jackknife is not defined as a weapon doesn't mean that you can have one at school. Also almost any object can be considered a weapon if that object is indended to be used to harm someone else.
New Walk-Through Emphasis
I recently completed a two day training on how to use three minute walk-throughd to improve student learning. This training fit well with the concept of being the learning leader in the building. The training was based on the book
The Three-Minute Classroom Walk-Through, by Carolyn J. Downey. The thing I most liked about the book was how I feel it will help me take teachers from good to great. It is easy to evaluate and point out things that are bad. If the school is going to continue to improve I need to be able to help teachers fine tune their craft.
If you come by the school, I might be harder to find, I'll be in the classroom.
