State Testing

So we are entering the dreaded "countdown to State testing".  In Texas, Algebra 2 is lucky to have some students (9th and 10th graders) taking the new state test EOC/STAAR.  And other students (11th graders) take the TAKS test that is retiring after this year.  Since Algebra 2 is a Junior level class, most of our students should be taking the TAKS.  However, Pre AP students who are on an accelerated track OR on level students who have dropped out of the PAP track for whatever reason are expected to take the EOC.  Our department chair and several others tried to convince the "powers that be" to split the Algebra 2 on level classes into classes that need to take the EOC and classes that need to take the TAKS, but they didn't.  You see, the TAKS test and the EOC test have totally different standards!   So,  NOW administrators are wanting us to split our classes for about six weeks so that one teacher will focus on reviewing for TAKS and the other teacher will continue on with Algebra 2 since the EOC test  covers only Algebra 2 standards.  Talk about chaos!!  Splitting the classes SHOULD HAVE happened at the beginning of the year.  There is so much research about teacher/student relationships and how it directly correlates to student success.  So now the students who have a good relationship with their teacher will now have to get used to another teacher!  UGH!!

Since I have flipped my classes, I thought it would be so much easier for me to differentiate with MY OWN students.  To me that made more sense but I am outnumbered so April 1, we will be splitting up our classes.  Our current students will stay on our own roll so the teachers will have to shuffle attendance and grades daily!  I am praying that this works for our students and "the powers that be" see the results that they are wanting.

We'll see...

I look forward to the day when I can focus on TEACHING my students the standards and being confident that they are LEARNING and therefore will do VERY WELL on the state test!!