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no they don't. On Long Island you don't pick what school you want to attend. Unless you want to attend a specialized school, you go to the school you're zoned for.
This is a New York City forum, I assumed you were talking about NYC schools.
Isn't the there a home-schooling thread on here for the perpetually dissatisifed-with-my-kids-education crowd?
Meanwhile, while Asian students are the absolute majority at all specialized NYC high schools despite being the smallest minority in the population, cos they bust their asses and do what needs to be done, the coddling parents are moaning about basic English and math tests. And then pointing out that we have to import kids from other countries. You know, where they take tests.
What a conundrum eh.
No one perpetually dissatisfied. I happen to live in Nassau County's top 5th school district. The test applies to the state, not just the city. What some parents are peeved about is the pressure that is put on kids between 3rd and 6th grade when these tests really don't place them anywhere. Yes, it means that they know the skill but isn't that what the day to day curriculum is about? Isn't that was regular testing is about? Stressing out a 9 yr old that they have to answer 39 questions and read 7 passages in 70 minutes-tell me, what is the positive there? My daughter maintains a B average but when it comes to these type of tests, she freezes up and sometimes can't finish. She doesn't lack skill. She knows the curriculum. Take Suzie and Johnny. One passes with flying colors and the other fails miserably. Next year they are both in the same class together. What did the test prove?
No one perpetually dissatisfied. I happen to live in Nassau County's top 5th school district. The test applies to the state, not just the city. What some parents are peeved about is the pressure that is put on kids between 3rd and 6th grade when these tests really don't place them anywhere. Yes, it means that they know the skill but isn't that what the day to day curriculum is about? Isn't that was regular testing is about? Stressing out a 9 yr old that they have to answer 39 questions and read 7 passages in 70 minutes-tell me, what is the positive there? My daughter maintains a B average but when it comes to these type of tests, she freezes up and sometimes can't finish. She doesn't lack skill. She knows the curriculum. Take Suzie and Johnny. One passes with flying colors and the other fails miserably. Next year they are both in the same class together. What did the test prove?
In Westchester, entry into many of the gifted math programs in schools usually requires receiving a 4 on the Math test. I'm surprised that exists nowhere on LI. As for your anecdote, it seems you just don't like the concept of exams generally, not the ELA and math specifically, you'd prefer a continuous ongoing assessment.
This is a New York City forum, I assumed you were talking about NYC schools.
I responded to the thread based on the topic, not the region. It's a statewide test so whether I'm on LI or not doesn't matter.
Also, the standardized tests do not determine what middle school or high school you go to in NYC. In NYC, there are still zoned middle schools so choosing a school isn't always an option. For those who can choose a middle school, the school they apply to accepts students based on various criteria, not just standardized tests. They also focus on grades, attendance and teacher recommendations. Same with HS. The standardized state tests are not the only thing they look at.
Stressing out a 9 yr old that they have to answer 39 questions and read 7 passages in 70 minutes-tell me, what is the positive there? My daughter maintains a B average but when it comes to these type of tests, she freezes up and sometimes can't finish.
Reading this, and I mean no disrespect, (and knowing its almost impossible to provide advice on the internet in a chat forum without the other party being offended), but do you think your own agitation over the tests is affecting your daughter? If you're getting stressed then she might. If you're chill about it, especially seeing as you think they are of no conseqeunce, then that's probably a better environment for her.
In Westchester, entry into many of the gifted math programs in schools usually requires receiving a 4 on the Math test. I'm surprised that exists nowhere on LI. As for your anecdote, it seems you just don't like the concept of exams generally, not the ELA and math specifically, you'd prefer a continuous ongoing assessment.
No, I firmly believe in exams. My peeve is stressing kids out when those tests are not the driving force of where my kid will be placed. Look at school districts with high percentages of low scoring standardized tests. There are students who are gifted and scored highly but it didn't matter because the overall percentage is what goes on the school report card. It's also what determines our taxes . The tests may indicate if a child meets the criteria for a TAG program but it doesn't affect the placement of the average student. Classrooms aren't segregated by talent anymore. Gifted, average and below average are all in the same classroom.
I responded to the thread based on the topic, not the region. It's a statewide test so whether I'm on LI or not doesn't matter.
Also, the standardized tests do not determine what middle school or high school you go to in NYC. In NYC, there are still zoned middle schools so choosing a school isn't always an option. For those who can choose a middle school, the school they apply to accepts students based on various criteria, not just standardized tests. They also focus on grades, attendance and teacher recommendations. Same with HS. The standardized state tests are not the only thing they look at.
No they are not the only thing they look at, and I did not state that was so, but they certainly do not disregard them, your notion that they are of no consequence is simply not correct.
"For those who can choose a middle school" - For middle school, ANY NYC elementary student can chose to apply to a specific middle school, that choice is always there. Whether or not they'll get in is another matter.
No, I firmly believe in exams. My peeve is stressing kids out when those tests are not the driving force of where my kid will be placed. Look at school districts with high percentages of low scoring standardized tests. There are students who are gifted and scored highly but it didn't matter because the overall percentage is what goes on the school report card. It's also what determines our taxes . The tests may indicate if a child meets the criteria for a TAG program but it doesn't affect the placement of the average student. Classrooms aren't segregated by talent anymore. Gifted, average and below average are all in the same classroom.
Are you stating they are no adavanced or gifted programs in your "top 5" school district on LI?
Reading this, and I mean no disrespect, (and knowing its almost impossible to provide advice on the internet in a chat forum without the other party being offended), but do you think your own agitation over the tests is affecting your daughter? If you're getting stressed then she might. If you're chill about it, especially seeing as you think they are of no conseqeunce, then that's probably a better environment for her.
LOL...I understand what you mean. I show no emotion or discuss my opinion of these tests with her. I support her in a positive way and reinforce importance of education and testing. We spent Spring break studying. She also came home with 4 study packets. After she completed them I reviewed them. But the students do stress over them because in school they are constantly reminded about how they need to perform on these tests. This year the test was longer though the timing didn't increase and the tests were bumped up a month. They were off for over a week and had to go into test mode. I'm not a hippie-damn the BoE man-kind of mother. My issue is not with tests at all.
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. The tests may indicate if a child meets the criteria for a TAG program but it doesn't affect the placement of the average student. Classrooms aren't segregated by talent anymore. Gifted, average and below average are all in the same classroom.
