Problems with Common Core Tests

By dianeravitch

April 16, 2013 //

Technical issues plague the tests.

Not ready for prime time.

Categories Common Core, Testing

17 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

flerper says:

April 16, 2013 at 10:20 am

It looks like my wife and I will be spending a little time helping my 4th grade daughter bone up on her algebra this weekend. That’s right, 4th grade algebra. Solve for X and like it.

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- Linda says:
  
  April 16, 2013 at 10:27 am
  
  Why don’t you opt out?
  
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  - flerper says:
    
    April 16, 2013 at 10:33 am
    
    NYC uses these tests for middle school placement, and refusing to have her sit for the tests would significantly limit her options. The tests also play into high school admissions. 4th grade and 8th grade are the pressure-cooker tests.
    
    People who don’t live in NYC have a difficult time comprehending the madness of this system. Many kids go through a process that’s basically akin to applying to law school at ages 4, 10, and 14.
ellen says:

April 16, 2013 at 10:59 am

That is just sad and ridiculous. I am sorry you have to deal with this in NY at that level. Doesn’t it seem strange that students are applying for a free and public education? There are so many hidden agendas in that reality. Coming soon to a state near you, as well – or yours.

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urban1 says:

April 16, 2013 at 12:51 pm

Just finished administering the first test of the 3rd grade ELA. 70 painful minutes. Tears, back aches, students falling asleep and lots of unfinished tests.
It was completely developmentally inappropriate for my kids. I can’t believe public education has become this oppressive. Makes me want to weep.

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- Karen Bracken says:
  
  April 18, 2013 at 3:44 pm
  
  Don’t weep. Join us to fight this communist take over of our children. We need teachers that can prove what is happening. I would rather work in Starbucks than sell my soul to these criminals. If enough teachers stand up we can beat this.
  
  Reply
wgersen says:

April 16, 2013 at 1:29 pm

There are many parents of high performing kids who find themselves in Flerper’s position… which means the schools have leverage to make sure the best-and-brightest take the test no matter what. I hate to be suspicious… but… do you think the schools are making any effort to make sure kids with high absentee rates and low grades show up?

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Corinne Driscoll says:

April 16, 2013 at 6:38 pm

Just a few thoughts after the first day. Whatever happened to developmental stages? Just a couple of years ago we were all about developmentally appropriate education and activities for our students. We were very concerned about the seven intelligences. Today, I watched as a group of 8 and 9 year olds squirmed their way through Part 1. You could watch the lack of focus spread throughout the crowded (no, we have neither enough room, good ventilation {windows don’t open}) classroom. Starting in the middle of the second selection, suddenly pencils and floors became fascinating. Fingers became a big hit too. Then the crying began as kids started feeling completely overwhelmed. “I can’t do this. It’s too hard.” Yes sir, are you happy Commissioner King. Made your day, you made an 8 year boy with special needs cry. Sleep well.

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- Linda says:
  
  April 16, 2013 at 6:41 pm
  
  Twins makes my blood boil…lack of better words…pieces of shit. I can’t stand it.
  
  Reply
  - Linda says:
    
    April 16, 2013 at 6:41 pm
    
    This…not twins..auto correct without my glasses on. Darn!
- flerper says:
  
  April 16, 2013 at 7:07 pm
  
  I’d pull my kids out of public school tomorrow if I had an extra $100k to spend each year and could stand the other parents and children at NYC’s private schools.
  
  Reply
  - Karen Bracken says:
    
    April 18, 2013 at 3:45 pm
    
    Home School. Make the sacrifice. They will not be completely spared but at this point it is your only safety net. OR GET OUT AND FIGHT THESE CRIMINALS.
  - ellen says:
    
    April 18, 2013 at 6:07 pm
    
    Its easy to say home school if the income of your household is such that the decision just means “sacrifice.” Unfortunately, for most of our public school students, that is a luxury. Making the sacrifice would mean homelessness or starvation, literally. And for our students who are already homeless – what exactly are they supposed to sacrifice?
Notyouraveragefirstyearteacher says:

April 16, 2013 at 7:38 pm

I just tested a room full of wonderful, bright 8th graders who I have prepared to the best of my ability to access rigorous texts and answer “deeper” multiple choice and short answer prompts. Many were not able to finish the test. A few gave up and guessed. Common complaints: “This is not possible.” “Why us?” “These articles are boring!” “They should try taking this; I bet you they couldn’t finish either.” “If they know this is too hard for us, what’s the point?” They get it. They see the flaws in and futility of the test. Now, if only their voices were deemed as valuable and important as the high and might politicians and corporate test-mongers…

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concern parent in NYC says:

April 16, 2013 at 9:39 pm

Today, my child told me that her friends did not have sufficient time to finish the exam. Granted that the students were given 90 minutes and the questions were shorter,however, the reading passages were extremely long. My own child was unable to finish the last 3 questions and had to guess. Congratulations to Commissioner King, Chancellor Walcott and the mayor for successfully destroying students’ confidence and setting them up for failure as well as the teachers. Also, parents you need to be aware that NYC is the only county in New York State that use these standardized test as promotional criteria. Complain!!!!! I already did!

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Mary Valentine says:

April 17, 2013 at 7:51 am

If the parents of the kids getting the best grades all pulled out together, they would have to stop. The schools all want those kids and would do whatever they could to get them. I am dumfounded that they have to take a test to get in the “best” schools in elementary schools! Someone should sue for child abuse.

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Karen Bracken says:

April 18, 2013 at 3:49 pm

Commie Core is just that. School to work. The kids that cannot pass (and most won’t) will be assigned jobs as garbage collectors. They are educating workers NOT individual, thinking human beings. As a matter of fact they want obedient slaves. Stop whining and get out and do something to stop it. Go to your School Board with a hoard of other parents and scream. Don’t stop screaming until they REFUSE to implement CC. There is an OPT OUT form. Get hundreds of parents to sign it and at the next School Board meeting deliver them to the School Board. You can find this form on: http://www.truthinamericaneducation.com

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