In a competetive world what matters is how you compare to the next guy. For FWCS the comparisons are made against the state as a whole and against other competing districts in the county. So where do they stand now? After the spring ISTEP scores were released for grades 3-8 the District claimed a 6 point increase as a major victory. (I still haven't see the End of Course results for the high schools, so how they're being judged is a mystery). Then it turned out that the state average increased by about the same amount, so there was no real gain relative to the competition.
Passing rates are the main factor in determining AYP. True, the district has to meet the requirements in way more categories than most other districts. But since passing rates in the rest of the states increased by the same amount as ours, it looks like every other district in the state will also make AYP. So relative to the competition FWCS is in the same situation it was before. Well behind.
The test difficulty probably decreased this year after increasing last year when the tests were moved to spring. (Remember those kids who were crying and giving up last year because the test was just too hard?) It's like running the 100 meter dash with a 20 kph tailwind. Everybody runs a better time but the order of finish is the same. Like a tailwind, test difficulty and cut scores are always subject to variability so what counts is the space between the runners at the finish line. If the trailing runners are able to narrow the gap over time they will eventually be competetive and able to win.
As a measure of where the average student in FWCS stands with respect to one in SAC, AYP is totally irrelevant.
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4 comments:
As we say in coaching, sometimes a win is a win is a win. It will be a win for this year...if it leads to success in the future, then that is a good thing.
I doubt many LSU fans or players are complaining that they did not "beat" Tennessee...they are counting it as a win!!
Their task is to close the gap in passing rates with respect to the state and the minority achievement gap within the district. I just don't see that happening.
Why have no other districts released any scores? I doubt FWCS got theirs first. Are they too preliminary to talk about? Anyone know anything about this?
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