Stressed out

[Beth]

I am stressed trying to cover the Oaa and the traditional algebra I
course of study. Unfortunately, I feelmy pacing has been way too fast
as of late. I thought I could easily get through polynoial
multiplication-wrong. I am factoring down and hope to slow things
down, I am pressed by the high school teachers on one side and the
admnistration and value added on the other. The kids are suffering.

[Chad Vahue]

Hi Beth!

I can only say that I feel the exact same way. My administration
assures me that this will only last until the End of Course Exams
become a reality, but I'm skeptical. What if they End of Course Exam
for Algebra 1 INCLUDES all of the 8th Grade Standards material?!?!

Currently my school system is volunteering to take the Batel End of
Course Exams as a pilot study for the State of Ohio. So, I'm "lucky"
enough to get hit with yellow/red dots and low Algebra 1 End of Course
Exam scores. I try to cover both courses of study and end up falling
short in both categories. It's troubling to say the least.

I'd love to hear from anyone in this group that has found a successful
approach to "getting the Green Dot" on the 8th grade
OAA......and.....teaching a full year of Algebra 1!

Sorry to hear about your stress Beth. Hopefully your misery will
enjoy a little company :o)

Chad

[Beth]

Chad-
I certainly do feel better with your comments. I am anxious to hear
your opinion of the low Algebra 1 End of Course Exam. Are the students
feeling burned out with all the testing. Are they remaining motivated
to finish strong?
Hang in-
Beth

[Chad Vahue]

My students are keenly aware of which tests have an effect on their
future and which do not. We give the ERB (Educational Research
Battery???) at the beginning of every school year, which is a
voluntary/costly achievement-like test to analyse the growth/retention
of our students, then we give the OAA and Batel End of Course pilot
exams.

Yes! The students are burned out and quick to point out which of these
mult-day test effect their futures...and how!

So, I resort to telling them that any and all of these tests give our
school a record and a glimpse of how well they are performing in the
classroom and can/will be used to determine lunchtime remediation for
the following school year.

I get one "at bat" a year to get a green dot...and they likewise get
one "at bat" a year to stay out of lunch time remediation for the
entire next school year.

I think it's fair!

:o)

Chad

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[Jane Haggerty]

Talk about being stressed! I am in Youngstown City Schools, and my district (which is in Academic AND Financial Emergency with the lowest rating in the state!) has me and the other Math Coaches giving placement tests to grades 5-8 for their Math classes next year in an attempt to "level" them correctly for next year. It took me a week to do just the 8th grade because we had to grade them, and analyze them for placement with the high school teachers. Now I find out that I have to do grades 5-7, and there is only 2 1/2 weeks of school left! Plus they have to take final exams that last week so the kids are pissy about taking ANOTHER test! We're not even sure this "leveling" system will help, but we're doing a hell of a lot of work for it. Our poor students have been taking so many tests this year, many times administered by me, that they all get mad when the see me because they think I'm the "Testing Lady" instead of the Math Coach!
________________________________________
From: algebra-in-ohio...@googlegroups.com [algebra-in-ohio...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Beth [haas....@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 10:17 PM
To: Algebra in Ohio Middle Schools
Subject: Re: Stressed out