How would you feel about this?

Question

My son is in GT in 4th grade. They received a school report card that gives percentages. It has TAKS test percentages among different races. It also has TAKS failers promoted by grade placement committee. It goes on to list the different races and percentages of those students that failed the test that were promoted The percentages were for reading White 86.8%, hispanic 92.9%, and 100% african american. That was reading TAKS test. And math isn't much different either. The african american was the same. These results were for 2005. My feelings are anger. Even though the white students scored higher than all other races by the percentages. This means that it didn't matter if an african american passed or failed the test they were going to be promoted. I am white by the way. But this is discrimination against whites if I have ever seen it!

I should add that these were results for 5th grade. I thought they had to pass in order to be promoted? Also this paper even has 2 areas of retained in grade 5 2006. One for reading one for math. For the white students it is listed in percentages Reading 40% and Math 60%. But for the african american and hispanics it has only an *. At the bottom of the area is has the meanings of symbols. *= Indicates results are masked due to small numbers to protect student confidentiality. Tell me isn't that messed up?! No confidentiality for the white students just the other races!

Answer 1

WOW!!!
ur tellin me!!!
i think u should do one of 3 things:
1. tell the local newspaper
2. tell the school board
3. change schools

Answer 2

As a high school educator in Texas, I know that in many states the state education agency has policies that determine whether a student is promoted to the next grade, or not. In third grade students must pass the TAKS test to be promoted; in fourth grade they do not have to.The schools are required to offer the test to the students 4-5 times per year. Depending on what time of year the report card was issued, those failures might have passed the test online, or in Saturday testing sessions, or in summer school. If the state does not require the students to be held back because of TAKS scores,then they are promoted according to having a 70% or better average in their core courses-English, Math, Science, Social Studies. A child can make a 70% in all those classes and fail the TAKS test, and still be promoted. Sometimes failure on the TAKS test does not reflect a lack of ability, the child may have been sick that day, have test anxiety, not have gotten enough rest the day before etc.When I taught TAKS retesters, I had students in that class that were classified as Gt or Honors, but had performed badly that day. UnderThe No Child Left Behind Law, Promotion standards are the same across Texas regardless of race, background or socio-economic standards. Only special ed students are offered modifications in the standards required to pass classes or be promoted. I think it was ill advised to post the scores the way your school did because without all of the factors for promotion listed, scores alone can lead to misconceptions.

Answer 3

Wow, yeah, I'd say. I'd storm around the next PTA meeting about how unfair it is for those who work hard to be put down because of race.

You have a right to be angry, and it doesn't matter what the race is. It shouldn't be on a report card, and certainly shouldn't be displayed for students.

Answer 4

not fair