Once again the topic of testing rears its ugly head. Just like many schools around the country, mine is making a few changes in an attempt to affect student achievement and test scores...but that is for another day.I want to give thought to what is considered a success when it comes to testing. What percentage of kids need to pass before we say "good job" to our schools?
100%... 60%... 75%...90%?
I have never subscribed to the No Child Left Behind theory that 100% (too high) of our students will pass all their tests by 2014. I have also never liked the ridiculous 50% (too low) that is required of students to pass some of the end-of-year subject tests.
For me, 80% is a good baseline to shoot for with test scores. Now before you label me a pessimist (I prefer realist!), let me give two reasons how I came to this number... free will and "life happens."
Unlike using numbers to keep track of sales at a business, test scores fail to paint the full picture when a student flat out refuses to engage in their education or assessments. This maybe a lack of relationship with student, but regardless, it's near impossible to make humans do something when they have their minds set against it.
On the other hand, sometimes "life happens," and students don't test as well as they normally would. Even if you have the best teachers and most attentive students throughout the year, life events can happen that cause them to lose focus. Recovering from being sick, social drama, a family member dies... all of these would give an adult trouble, even more so a child.
So... You may tell me 19% failed, but I say 81% passed, and that ain't bad!
