As I sit in class all year, I finally realize that I'm just being taught a test. In other words, my teachers give me the test and the answers in order to pass the SOL test. You may ask, "What is an SOL test?" An SOL test is taken every year for students in grades 6 through 12. These tests must be passed in order for the student to graduate. The tests, in a way serve its purpose: to see how much the students learned from the past year. The problem comes in for students who are accelerated or in honor's classes. The SOLs seem like they have been lowered in difficulty just so that students will pass. In fact, a student can make a fifty and still pass. Does this seem right? Shouldn't we be challenged more? In today's society, education is of the utmost importance due to the new technology and businesses, a higher and more efficient education is needed. The SOLs don't help us. They don't hurt us either. They are just there so that the state of Virginia can say that they are "doing something to help their students." Is dumbing down a test the way to help a student succeed? I don't think so.
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Your blog was very direct and to the point. Continue to stand, because if you do not - who will?
Students face the chance of not being adequately prepared for college. I would think that the teachers would also feel confined. Your point is well taken!
Just like the CAHSEE (california testing). It's like this everywhere.
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~ Raven
STAND for SOMETHING.
In Jersey, we have a similar test called the HSPA. It's given in your junior year of high school, and it's a joke. Some people get nervous about them, but I reassure them that you would really have to try in order to fail that test.
There were two essay questions. The first essay I wrote was three sentences. The second was one. Granted, they were long, grammatically-involved sentences, but still. I passed.
--Mike
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These kinds of tests are given in Michigan as well with, I might add, the same results and comments much like yours from the students who prepare themselves for school before they leave home. Fortunately, they're not given every year (just every other). Michigan's version is the PSAT and teachers spend a lot of time teaching the standardized tests and not enough time truly preparing students for college. It's so unfortunate that such tests are the states' way of really standardizing the learning process. There's no accounting for students who are above the standard. Comments like yours should be well taken. Keep churning for those who want to progress!!!!
I agree with you. Our public educational systems are geared toward the weakest child and students who are above the "norm" are disregarded. But, don't let that stop you from reaching for the stars. Perhaps, one day the errors of "standardized tests" will be realized!
Odd, the problem that we have in NJ is that you either have classes for really smart kids or stupid kids, but nothing in between. It's like they're creating the class war in high school, now.
--Mike
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wow nice teacher. i wish my teacher gave me answers haha