Magnet vs. Neighborhood Part 3: Standardized tests

10/05/2011

This week is a testing week across the School District of Philadelphia. The Predictive Test (or ACUITY test) is administered three times a year across almost all grade levels in the city in order to assess what a student's current level of knowledge specifically in preparation for the PSSA. Regardless of your opinion of standardized testing (which you probably know mine is fairly negative) I have noticed that students at my current magnet school are much faster when reacting to issues like this.

My experience the past two years of these types of tests has been mixed. Some students consent to taking the test with no problem; others moan, groan, and refuse unless you make a deal with them. Classes are supposed to be completely silent and over the past two years it has been quite hectic. I truly believe it is not the teacher's fault in many of these scenarios - especially when you have 30 students in a classroom and you need to make sure they all have the correct supplies out and their cell phones put away (And you wonder why neighborhood schools score lower?).

In my classroom the vast majority of students finished the test with time to spare and when I asked them to rearrange the desks back into small table-groups it took about 45 seconds for them to complete the task. I have asked similar things in years past and been met with reactions like, "why should I do that - it's not my class!"

While there are some problems in magnet school testing situations (especially amongst the older grades) it seems a lot easier than neighborhood school situations.

Comments

J. C.

10/05/2011 21:58

Oh my goodness it's so much easier in magnet schools. I had perfect attendance (and frequently do on regular days). So not only are there no make ups, but everyone also finished with ample time to spare. You don't have to teach simple things because they already know what is expected of them. Everyone has a pencil and we have extras if needed. I was short by two booklets and five minutes after calling the office, those students had their books. I sent one email and had enough extra answer sheets and booklets for day two. The entire building is silent. I am amazed daily at the differences between the neighborhood schools and the magnet schools. I have no idea what it is or why we can't have the same situation in neighborhood schools. I guess that's why I'm not a zillionaire.

10/09/2011 22:16

I appreciate your honesty in saying that there is certainly a difference between giving tests in a neighborhood high school and a magnet high school. However, a student's standardized testing score is typically considered in the admissions process and students who are admitted to magnet schools are already scoring in the proficient or advanced categories before they are admitted to magnet schools, as a result, of course those students feel differently about and react differently to taking the test. People who have experienced success approach another opportunity to show their achievements differently than those who have experienced frustration. Of course students who have difficulty taking the test react negatively when they take the test.

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Author

I am a math teacher in the School District of Philadelphia. I infuse technology and real-world problems into my curriculum in order to prepare my students for the future. I would love for people in Philadelphia to recognize we teachers can't do it alone. If you don't believe me, come visit my classroom!