UNLESS....They recognize that the scores for the kids above grade level are not useful so they decide not test them. That's what happened when we started MAP testing 3 years ago. I was surprised that our equality driven school system would use MAPs where there might be evidence that not everyone is at the same high level, and thought it might be a change in thinking. Sadly, no. The first year, my kids had it 3 times, showing backward growth, the first year. Then 2 times the next year in reading, but only once in math. The third year. this year? 1 time in reading and nothing for math. The reason? The kids who pass reading at the beginning of the year already meet standards so no sense testing again. For math? If the child is accelerated one year, it means they are above grade level and no testing is necessary.
Neat and tidy, presented as ---- You are so far ahead, you are excused from testing (testing that would show that we are holding you back-- but, hey, you are awesome so just take the love and leave us alone).
Yes, the system learns very fast. The government school system also has a taxpayer-funded communication system in place. This may place parents at a disadvantage as parental communication systems are piece-meal at best, and largely consist of open-access forums which are as easily read by school officials and policy-makers as they are by parents.
all it takes is finding one person who will help in this crazy system. The system is made of individuals, many of whom can be sympathetic.
Well said.
