Tougher state standards crush students' test scores

[GG]

Student proficiency rates continue to lag at most Tulsa-area schools because of Oklahoma's tougher testing standards in reading and math, a Tulsa World analysis shows.


Results from the 2009-10 tests reveal that Tulsa Public Schools lost more ground in reading and math in grades four and eight and in reading in grade five.

In only a few cases did school districts see their student proficiency rebound to 2008 rates, including Sand Springs' third-graders in math and Owasso's sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders in both reading and math.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education decided last year to raise the "cut scores," which are used to determine whether a child has "made the cut" for proficiency in reading and math on the Oklahoma Core Curriculum Tests.

For example, fourth-graders used to be considered proficient in math if they correctly answered 44 percent of 45 questions, but for the last two years they've needed to have 64 percent correct.

"I think the significant difference is it is more difficult to pass the reading and math tests," said Todd Nelson, the director of student achievement at Union Public Schools.

"We want to take on that challenge, but the reality of it is that it is a harder test to pass, which makes the accountability expectations hard to meet as well."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=332&articleid=20100826_19_A1_Suetpo319163

[GG]

From time to time I see people here bash Owasso and Jenks.  

Well just look at the over all test scores when the districts are compared and you will see why families are fleeing Tulsa and going to Owasso and Jenks.  

We did over 20 years ago (Owasso) and have never regretted doing so.

 

[swake]

From time to time I see people here bash Owasso and Jenks.  

Well just look at the over all test scores when the districts are compared and you will see why families are fleeing Tulsa and going to Owasso and Jenks.  

We did over 20 years ago (Owasso) and have never regretted doing so.

I have to brag a little on my son, he took the 3rd grade test at Jenks West and got a perfect 990 in math.

[guido911]

I have to brag a little on my son, he took the 3rd grade test at Jenks West and got a perfect 990 in math.

That ain't bragging, that's being proud.

[Mike 01Hawk]

Why anyone would want to live in a TPS area is beyond me considering it wouldn't be that much more $ (if at all) to be in a burb.

[RecycleMichael]

Once again...the best schools in the Tulsa Area are TPS schools. Unfortunately, so are some of the worst schools.

If parents are engaged, they can get their kids into one of the better schools.

[waterboy]

What would make people think that simply moving to the burbs would get their kids better education? Like there is some kind of secret they know in those systems or that the people are somehow superior? Truth is that there is little difference between the practices, policies and outcomes of TPS and burb schools other than a half dozen northside schools that are low performing because their demographics are the lowest in the region. Dump the same percentage of poor, uneducated families into the Jenks, Owasso and Bixby school systems and see if they do any better. You don't have to live in a poor performing TPS district or have your kid go to low performing schools if you choose not to. Fleeing to some imaginary utopian school system is as the British say, "False economy".

Smug burbers are insufferable.

[GG]

What would make people think that simply moving to the burbs would get their kids better education? Like there is some kind of secret they know in those systems or that the people are somehow superior? Truth is that there is little difference between the practices, policies and outcomes of TPS and burb schools other than a half dozen northside schools that are low performing because their demographics are the lowest in the region. Dump the same percentage of poor, uneducated families into the Jenks, Owasso and Bixby school systems and see if they do any better. You don't have to live in a poor performing TPS district or have your kid go to low performing schools if you choose not to. Fleeing to some imaginary utopian school system is as the British say, "False economy".

Smug burbers are insufferable.

Last time I checked the map Rogers and Hale High Schools were not in North Tulsa.   They have been on the school improvement list for 6 years now.   

[waterboy]

then don't send your kids there. They are both in low income, low education, high minority areas. North used to be norht of Admiral. That shifted south. Answer me this. What makes your school system substantially different than TPS? One thing. Better educated, wealthier parents and a higher investment per pupil.

[Mike 01Hawk]

What would make people think that simply moving to the burbs would get their kids better education?

Class size (haven't looked in a while, I'm sure the classes are getting bigger all around).

Greater % of students who are fortunate enough to have parents that A) Have the time and/or B) Give a dam about their future so therefor are involved in their life = a student that won't be a nuisance to my child who is trying to learn.

Wife has been a teacher/sub for 10 or so years.  1 year she sub'd for TPS, Union, BA, Jenks.  After several frustrating days for TPS she dropped subbing for them all together.  It's not like she couldn't take it either, she taught in the gettos of NC where she constantly had to deal with reverse racism.  It boiled down to: have a pleasurable sub day for the burbs where students had manners, or have a hell of a sub day in TPS, which would you chose?

[custosnox]

Class size (haven't looked in a while, I'm sure the classes are getting bigger all around).

Greater % of students who are fortunate enough to have parents that A) Have the time and/or B) Give a dam about their future so therefor are involved in their life = a student that won't be a nuisance to my child who is trying to learn.

Wife has been a teacher/sub for 10 or so years.  1 year she sub'd for TPS, Union, BA, Jenks.  After several frustrating days for TPS she dropped subbing for them all together.  It's not like she couldn't take it either, she taught in the gettos of NC where she constantly had to deal with reverse racism.  It boiled down to: have a pleasurable sub day for the burbs where students had manners, or have a hell of a sub day in TPS, which would you chose?

fify

[waterboy]

As long as you keep sending the better behaved, better parented, wealthier kids to the burbs you will have this result. Doesn't mean TPS is a worse school system, it means the educational equivalent of white flight. I'll put my TPS educated kids against burb kids any day.

I know lots of teachers who have experience in both systems as well who have different views than yours. Many report rather unyielding, sports centered, conformist oriented systems that yield unspectacular results.

[Mike 01Hawk]

Which is why our kiddo will be a brainac grilled by his mum and be sent to a Montessori

<Smug>

Luckily he'll also have his lethargic dad that will teach him how to play with fire, do the least amount of work, and have the most amount of fun during his "down" time