tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618709929318397424.post7318934569001792164..comments2023-10-31T07:43:37.520-04:00Comments on NJ Left Behind: Special Review Assessment DenialNJ Left Behindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16739701636089453850noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618709929318397424.post-72084226306064571682009-06-18T00:56:05.426-04:002009-06-18T00:56:05.426-04:00Absolutely true. SRA is a symptom of the problem. ...Absolutely true. SRA is a symptom of the problem. Removing the "crutch" won't cure the broken leg. The students who need to go through the SRA are mostly students who speak English as a second language, have poor attendance, or did not have rigorous education before high school. What we need to do is hold students responsible for their choices and offer support and guidance. If every child is not reading by the fourth grade, the intervention needs to begin then, not when the child fails the HSPA for the third time. Let's be honest. By the time these children are taking high school exit exams like HSPA, it is TOO LATE. <br /><br />Furthermore, the schools and teachers suffer the consequences of high HSPA failure rates, not the students. I have seen students take the HSPA and write two words, then color a bracelet for the rest of the time. The students who fail the HSPA junior year should have mandatory summer school or tutoring before taking it again, or some other type of consequence to failing the test. That would greatly reduce the SRA rates. <br />I am a teacher and I see intelligent students who settle for 70's and 75's because "passing" is their only goal because they "know" they won't afford college anyway. <br /><br />I believe that the solution to the SRA problem lies in increased academic rigor in the elementary and middle schools, increased student and parent responsibility, increased reward and motivation for successful students and constant support for students who need it.Luhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04983531632765832418noreply@blogger.com