Re: Level Testing

[hayfields@moscow.com]

I guess I am still not getting it. Why are the kids taking Locator tests before 
the level tests? If the level tests are based on the state curriculum and the 
purpose is to provide an idea of where each student is, why do they need to 
be "located" prior to the test?  Are they not all taking the same test? If no, 
how does this help? How will the different test levels be reflected on a school 
wide basis? How will this locating(not the level tests) be reported to the 
state? If you have already identified that a student is not at an appropriate 
level, why give them another test to show the same thing? Can't the district 
use grades or teacher input to decide where a student is? And surely it can't 
be news - especially since the kids have already taken the Iowa tests, that 
some students are still not working at the "grade level"? I am not trying to be 
difficult, just trying to figure out why all these leveling and locator tests 
are being taken. Does the district have any plans to change course offerings 
based on the locator or level tests?  IE if 20% of the students "locate" at say 
a 5th grade math level will the district begin offering remedial math courses? 
Or is this one more example of providing the state with numbers that mean 
essentially nothing, in terms of providing students with what they need, rather 
than where by age they "ought to be".

Heather
Jordan

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