“Please take this test on your own. I want to know what YOU know. Just try your best. Good luck!”
Gone are the days of paper tests. In an online learning world, tests are administered online. If you ever need to “show your work,” you take a picture of it and submit it with your final test answers.
I have always taken the message from Declan’s teacher pretty seriously. She wants to know what the student knows and if the material needs more attention or not. When Declan was taking tests at home, I took the role of his 1/1 aid. I would read him the questions and help guide his thinking. I handled submitting the photos of his work.
His test grades were mediocre. I saw him make mistakes and did not correct him. I let HIS work be the work that was turned in. His grades were a direct representation of what he knew or did not know.
Now that he has returned to school four days a week, I have taken more of a “hands-off” approach to his virtual learning when he is home and zooming on Fridays.
I feel like academically, I have handed him off to his teachers. I helped get him to this point and then handed off the baton when in school learning began.
So, when the tears and screaming start over schoolwork that is hard or confusing when he is at home, I tell him calmly, “Don’t worry about it. Just put it away and work on it Monday with your teachers and aid.”
A couple of weeks ago, Declan had a math review to do for an upcoming math test.
His first score? 2/30.
As he went through the review again, as he had to, I had him read me the questions out loud, and I began to talk him through it. I gave parameters and helped guide his work on paper.
His second score? 12/30
We had spent an hour and a half on the review, so I had him put it away and stated again:
“Don’t worry about it. Just work on it with your teachers and aid on Monday.”
After working on the review with Declan, I could not help but think, “He’s going to fail that test.” I was not upset. I figured, with a failing score, it would be apparent that he needs to spend more time on this material.
When his math test score finally posted online, I stared at it in frustration.
20/20
A perfect score.
There was no way he took that test on his own. When I asked him later who he took the test with, he told me he took it with his 1/1 aid.
I smiled on the outside but felt the frustration on the inside.
Ugggh.
It must seem strange to have a parent complain about their child getting 100% on a big math test. Lord knows I have crossed my fingers for the big kids when they were taking big tests and weren’t exactly comfortable with the material. We would all breathe a deep sigh of relief to see they had guessed their way through correctly. Even I have muddled through some tests in my day.
But for Declan, when it looks like a child knows something, the extra support goes away. What help does a child need who gets 100% on all his tests? Also, a future teacher is going to expect the material in earlier grades to be learned.
I am not singling out his 1/1 aid – I have seen teachers walk him to the correct answer as well. But how much is too much?
I am happy that we conference with the teacher next week. I want to address this academic concern before Declan gets any farther behind in his understanding of important concepts and testing. Since he already has a special education teacher, being pulled out for 1/1 learning time should not be an issue, whether he is at home or school.
Giving Declan good (unearned) grades will only hurt him in the long run. Working with his mainstream teacher to address this issue is important for future academic success and maintaining his supportive services.
It’s a fine line, isn’t it? School is for learning, but in a situation like the current one you don’t exactly want to barrage a kid with failing, either. And, I don’t mean a fine line for just the school. What you are comfortable with is also tricky, Robyn.
I homeschooled my boys, so never had to deal with public schools… but, you do miss out on the socialization. HEY! I had a fine line, too!
You’re right. The good news is that Declan doesn’t really care about his grades. The only thing he doesn’t like is to have extra meetings with the teacher to go over the material again when it is clear he doesn’t understand. I feel bad for her – I am sure this whole school situation is really hard and she is really busy. I am hopeful going back to the special ed classroom for a bit will help get him on track. I already held him back a year, so I can’t let 2020 schooling make that happen again. Finding that balance of understanding and passing grades is my focus.
Homeschooler, huh? Wow, you go! I’m always in awe of homeschoolers. It is not something I think I would be very good at. I have a fair amount of patience that somehow disappears when “Why do you not understand what I am saying to you!!” happens.
I agree. Great parenting on your part!
In jr high (1970s) I took issue with a Spanish teacher who gave me an A+ simply because I had typed my paper. She couldn’t comprehend that wanted a lower grade which reflected my knowledge rather than use of a typewriter.
Thank you! I agree – it is important to know the material and not just what it looks like.
I totally agree with you
My granddaughter is 16, and is in a very small college 38 pupils. She has been online learning the past 3 weeks, and even with my daughter sitting with her, wasn’t able to cope not being in the same room as the teacher. Thankfully she goes back in tomorrow.
Wonderful! I am so happy for her and your daughter!
I definitely feel your frustration here. Helping them too much is hurting them in the long run because he’s not demonstrating what he knows of doesn’t know. I’m so sorry. 🙁 I know you want him to do well but I agree this is not going to help him in the long run. I’m glad you’re going to bring this up at the conference. Good luck!!!
I *think* the teacher sees what I see and is trying to help him more 1/1, but she is so busy. She is new to the school and maybe she is unaware of this other resource? It would free up her time and give Declan the time he needs to really master these important skills. Thank you!!
Good luck. You are doing right by him in the long run! 👍
Ben is “officially” in 7th grade. We talked about holding him back when he was still going to district schools, especially since a September birthday means he’s younger than most of his classmates.
We we advised against it by the district special ed supervisor… a fantastic woman who really went to bat for Ben.
The school he is at now… they’ve kept the same group of kids together since Ben started. They get along well together. I think they’re different ages and “grades” but the school does what’s best for the students.
I agree that Declans grades should reflect his knowledge. It’s only going to get harder, especially math. Until he REALLY understands the basics. Too much “help” isn’t helping him. If they just want to pass him on, why bother testing him at all?
Get your Mama Bear ready for the conference!🐻💕
In hindsight I go back and forth whether holding D back for another year of preschool was a great idea. It WAS great for K-2 success, but now that things are more challenging, I wonder. And who could have ever predicted a global pandemic that would cause such a disruption in learning? The entire time he was home, he only had math every other day for 45 minutes. How was he supposed to learn all the time tables and then division in just a few weeks on a zoom? Especially since he is a “stare out the window while this screen is talking jibberish” kind of learner. This stuff though is the basis of all the math that is ahead. This is the stuff he needs to learn.
I never really felt like I had a Mama Bear, I am so anxious and I tend to give up to my overwhelming emotions and accept too easily. But I will try. The good part is that I do think the teacher cares. I saw in his bag that he was working 1/1 with more multiplication/division math facts. He just has another resource available to him in the special education room. I would like to free up the teacher’s time and hope she sees his travel there as a blessing and not a slight on her teaching. Fingers crossed!!
It’s like the support is a ON / OFF switch. You get support when you finally convince them of a need, then the slightest improvement and it’s turned OFF. It’s a never ending struggle. You must be so frustrated. Hang in there you are doing are wonderful jib.
That is what I am afraid of – it is going to look like he knows something he doesn’t and since it LOOKS like he is fine, they will take the support away. I don’t want that. Thank you! You too!
Yes! We struggle with this too. And it always makes me question the test results that support the IEP goals because I know what I see at home…
Yes! I have never been this involved with academics since most of the learning took place at school. But after having him home and doing his work with him, I can totally see where his strengths and weaknesses are. Giving him a grade he didn’t earn is misleading because he still doesn’t understand the concept and needs more help. With perfect score, what help does he possibly need? It would be hard for me to fight for more help when the scores don’t reflect the need.
Yes, I saw a lot of this in the non-high school years. The teacher’s goal seemed to be a good grade as opposed to a full understanding of the material. I know they mean well, but…
Exactly. It’s just hurting the student in the long run.
This is a tough one. My kids did not have autism to deal with at school. But I was a big believer in letting them make their own mistakes and having the teacher know they were struggling with something. I think you are doing the right thing. Tough love but still love.
I agree – tough love is still love. Thankfully I talked with the teacher and she sees my point of view. I see hers where failing everything is bad too. She recommended from now on we set aside a part of each test that Declan will take without any support so we can determine what HE knows and what others are telling him. Sounded like a good plan to me.
👍
I have found it best to not use my energy rethinking older choices I made for my kids or myself. Your current math situation sucks up enough energy. I’m glad your teacher has come to a compromise that you both feel comfortable with. I’m also glad that you feel like you have a caring teacher this year.
In my opinion, I feel as though assessments need to look really different during this time. For all children. And I could start on a rant but won’t.
Yes, I am happy we came up with a compromise. I don’t know if I would feel the same way if it were for a different subject, but this math is so important as it will be the core for all future math. Learning on a zoom didn’t work and they went so fast. Thank goodness we could compromise!
You know how to reach me if he needs a little more zoom help. Because we know everyone needs more zoom time. Right? I’ve been zoom tutoring writing for a neighbor as needed.
I do! Thank you so much!
Well said. It’s awesome that you are so involved in your child’s academic success!
Thank you!