I wanted to address everyone who commented on my rant about the principal... let me explain the assessments...
DRA (developmental reading assessment) helps teachers identify a student's reading ability and level, document their progress, and tailor teaching to drive effective reading instruction. DRA tools allow teachers to assess accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. This quick and accurate assessment will: build students' reading skills and confidence by identifying their independent reading levels and helping teachers match students with appropriate text; deliver immediate analysis and instructional suggestions to group student appropriately and better address their needs, and target critical points of intervention and compare student progress against benchmark expectations with easy-to-use data analysis.
This DRA is administered 3 times each year - at the beginning of the first semester, at the end of the first semester, and at the end of the second semester. To be on grade level for 2nd grade (Will was in that 1/2 split) Will had to be at a level 24... Will tested at a level of 38.
The proficient/distinguished assessment comes from the PAS Score. Founded by Vanderbilt University, ThinkLink Learning developed a formative assessment known as Predictive Assessment Series (PAS) that assesses student progress toward meeting state standards for reading/ language arts, math, science, and social studies. The tests are preconfigured and analyzed by ThinkLink experts to provide teachers the prediction of mastery, proficiency, and adequate yearly progress (AYP) that is so critical to monitoring student progress toward Kentucky's Core Content (curriculum goals). The benchmark tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. Each test is carefully constructed to mirror and match the Ky. Core Content Test (KCCT). Will scored distinguished in all areas.
Our school is run with a site based council or SBDM which is made up of both teachers and parents. The change from the split classes to straight grades has to be approved by the SBDM. From what I've heard, the members were not given a choice to keep the split grades - they were basically told (railroaded IMO) they had to approve straight grades. As for accelerated placements, you can read more about that here
http://www.sandersville.fcps.net/menu/sbdm/Policies/PlacementProcedure.pdf
As for the letter the principal sent home, I was not impressed either, and it created more questions than it answered. Basically our teachers work in teams. So for example, when it came to reading, Will was grouped with other students at the same level and went to a different classroom for instruction. I told her that I was not happy nor impressed with what she said in the letter. I also stated that Will had been pushed to perform and master 2nd grade work the entire year, and I didn't think it was fair that he was basically repeating the same grade again (while the classes were split, the kids were considered to be in the higher grade all year). I also told her that while the expectation was that all the students should perform at proficient or distinguished, this was really unrealistic and that the kids who are considered accelerated would be held back if they got rid of the accelerated program. Another thing I addressed was that I thought the families of the children in the split classrooms should have had some input about changing from split classes to straight classes. The principal felt that it input from the parents wasn't necessary as the parents don't have any control over placement issues and that while she will try to honor placement requests, it won't necessarily happen. She also told me that the accelerated 2nd grade teachers will work with the 3rd grade teachers to produce plans in reading, math, etc. to develop plans to meet all the students needs to ensure a full year's developmental growth for every student.
I suppose a further explanation should have made me feel better, however, I still feel she didn't address a lot of the questions I had... Will and I talked about what was happening and he said he would like to remain in Ms. H's class (his teacher for this school year) if he could, and frankly Gabe and I both agreed that we would feel better if he remained in her class because having been her homeroom parents, I was really impressed with her teaching style and ability and know she will push her students. So I did ask the principal to keep will in Ms. H's class if she taught an accelerated class and the principal did honor it.
I was more upset when the summer packets came home and it made it seems like it was required that all kids basically do summer school all summer. I also emailed the principal about that. There was a letter from her that did not come with the packets that says it is voluntary and that parents were upset that summer school was not an option... so the packets were being sent home to assist parents who wanted a summer school type option. Kids who do complete the packets will get a special cookout, water-ballooon fights, and other games during the first week of school and Will says that he wants to do them. While they are packets for a 2nd grader, I plan on trying to do things at a 3rd grade level and even 4th grade for some of his reading. I've told Gabe that we will give it a year, but if we see that Will is not benefiting from the straight grades, I would like to be given the option to homeschool and this would include Piper as well. Gabe is not real keen on the idea of homeschooling at all! So we will see how the year goes. After talking with the principal I know that rather than the "within 3 years" to get rid of the accelerated program is not actually true... she is planning for the accelerated program to end at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
My children's education is VERY important to me... I'm not going to sit by and watch my children suffer because of her actions. So if necessary I will go to the superintendent, but I will give her some time to see how it plays out and will do all I can from home to ensure that Will is getting what he needs.
Hope your perfectionism doesn't get the best of you if you scrap today.
