tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post990786739836871532..comments2024-03-24T09:34:13.226-07:00Comments on Ninja Reflections on Education: Scores Are InTodd Nesloneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16609476999461854620noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-5367767029068420942014-04-26T03:04:04.751-07:002014-04-26T03:04:04.751-07:00I don't know why we continue to compare year t...I don't know why we continue to compare year to year scores. They are a different group of kids with different readiness levels and a different chemistry. I know we always want to consider kids as individuals but each year's cohort has a personality and readiness level of it's own. I would be thrilled with your scores and don't really consider the drop statistically significant.<br /><br />In middle school this year, the top kids who take HS algebra in 8th grade were excluded from the 8th grade math test. Consequently, this moved the overall numbers down. As a result, the passing level on the math test was set at 19 questions correct out of around 60 to 64, I don't recall the exact number. Passing the test with 30% of the answers correct is nothing to celebrate, but we are! <br /><br />Remember, these are norm referenced exams so there always has to be winners and losers no matter how poorly or well the students do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-44046537784570061972014-04-25T15:00:21.293-07:002014-04-25T15:00:21.293-07:00 You, my friend, are an artist. You make math... You, my friend, are an artist. You make math. And, like me, you believe that students should pass standardized tests coincidentally, not because they have been brainwashed with basic concepts ad nauseum. Students pass tests because they have a reason to pass. You give them the math, but more importantly you give them reasons to learn and reasons to pass tests. The reasons come from the relationship you have with your students. They want to succeed for you.<br /> What you consider failure others wish for because for them it would mean big success. Stay the course; you are a winner and your kids and parents (and I) know it.<br />Mike<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165771175100877921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-78834456685608844742014-04-24T17:17:05.989-07:002014-04-24T17:17:05.989-07:00It's like in that movie a while back: Money Ba...It's like in that movie a while back: Money Ball. You choose a method you know is right and go with it. Variation in results is the way things work. Keep being inspiring. You're example has made a change in how I practice instructional design.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06679748831635790830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-35255260987899807462014-04-24T15:35:35.838-07:002014-04-24T15:35:35.838-07:00It is so refreshing to read about a teacher that d...It is so refreshing to read about a teacher that doesn't get sucked in by the test prep craze. What your have given your students is something no test prep can... A love of learning! Hopefully, this will stay with them through the inevitable test prep they will endure in the future. Good luck in your new position!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04583643291843546851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-49719473581435657522014-04-23T10:43:11.310-07:002014-04-23T10:43:11.310-07:00You said that your students come to school to lear...You said that your students come to school to learn ... not to pass an exam. That says it all !!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-15145431958357811542014-04-23T09:43:42.453-07:002014-04-23T09:43:42.453-07:00Congratulations and THANK YOU for all you do to im...Congratulations and THANK YOU for all you do to improve Texas education for our youth. You are an inspiration to many! Best wishes in your new position. Looking forward to reading more about the impact you will be making in Navasota. LOOK OUT Navasota Intermediate ~ Here comes Mr. Nesloney...........fun times ahead for all! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-24462642336711588622014-04-23T07:28:49.893-07:002014-04-23T07:28:49.893-07:00Well said Terri! :) I should hope the jobs of the ...Well said Terri! :) I should hope the jobs of the future do not involve being asked to fill in bubbles. Nicely done Todd. You have always put your students needs first.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899961525841047406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-2238369247785756292014-04-23T05:28:53.704-07:002014-04-23T05:28:53.704-07:00Thanks Terri :-)Thanks Terri :-)Todd Nesloneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609476999461854620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-66812364165173591932014-04-23T05:28:42.017-07:002014-04-23T05:28:42.017-07:00Thanks so much!Thanks so much!Todd Nesloneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609476999461854620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-25801640962643603202014-04-23T05:28:29.488-07:002014-04-23T05:28:29.488-07:00Thanks for reading and commenting Michelle! Keepi...Thanks for reading and commenting Michelle! Keeping my focus on my kiddos :)Todd Nesloneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609476999461854620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-20142113582741909922014-04-23T05:26:34.461-07:002014-04-23T05:26:34.461-07:00Thank you Mark!Thank you Mark!Todd Nesloneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609476999461854620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-42124180709965832742014-04-23T04:00:49.945-07:002014-04-23T04:00:49.945-07:00You are a magnificent teacher, who does what is ri...You are a magnificent teacher, who does what is right for your students! The test does not define them or you. In the end, they will remember the life lessons they learned from you, not the bubbling skills they have learned from others.Terri Eichholzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01430985610377415602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-36880645381241748872014-04-22T19:31:11.469-07:002014-04-22T19:31:11.469-07:00You are bravely doing what is right! That is not ...You are bravely doing what is right! That is not always an easy path, but your focus is on the right thing, the students. Keep doing what is best for kids. The rest will fall into place. I wish you all the best as you embark on your new job.Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01924405586871181907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-35501069396514447642014-04-22T17:01:25.019-07:002014-04-22T17:01:25.019-07:00Do your students love to learn? Have they grown as...Do your students love to learn? Have they grown as learners and individuals? Are they ready to take on tough challenges? Do they know mastery is a journey not a destination? If you know that a single measure tells you nothing about the true learning of your students then use all those other measures that tell you so much more. But you know all this already. We, as educators, can not rail against the limitations of standardized testing and at the same time measure ourselves by it. Take a long hard look at your students and your teaching and you will see what the rest of us already know. Greatest is not four points. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03011324667570575620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2488505761168063426.post-77592585233490275362014-04-22T13:54:49.612-07:002014-04-22T13:54:49.612-07:00Teaching to the test only teaches test taking. Te...Teaching to the test only teaches test taking. Teaching in spite of it, takes vision my friend. I applaud you.Breakeventeachinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06028179285327319791noreply@blogger.com