On Monday Georgia state school officials released a statement in an effort to prepare parents and students of poor test scores on the Criterion-Reference Competency Test. The Criterion-Reference Competency Test also known as the CRCT is a test that is suppose to diagnose an individual student’s ability to comprehend the state’s curriculum of reading, mathematics, science, social studies and English/language arts. The preliminary test results show that 40 percent of eight grade students failed in math and could be at risk of repeating the eighth grade. Eight grade students must pass the math and reading sections of the test in order to move on to high school. If they fail one or both parts of the test, they are giving prep classes and may retake the test during summer school.
The statement also said that 20 to 30 percent of sixth and seventh graders passed the social studies exams. Those results are very alarming to say the least. I can only imagine the reaction parents will have when they learn that their child could be held back. So how does something like this happen? The CRCT is supposed to be more difficult this year than in previous years. That’s because there was a gap in test score for the NAEP or National Assessment Of Education Progress and the CRCT.
The tests showed that about 83 percent of Georgia eight grade students who took the CRCT were proficient or above however only 23 percent scored the same level on the NAEP. Officials blame the lack of a national curriculum as the problem. Parents are complaining that some items on the CRCT were never taught to students. Now that the test is more difficult has the curriculum reflected the change in the test? More focus is being put on teaching the curriculum and less time on review, we need to make sure that all areas of tests are covered.
These test scores may illustrate a need for the state to review it’s current curriculum and other issues that have long been areas of concern such as smaller classroom sizes, more teachers, teacher pay, etc. I definitely think that some kind of a review is warranted if straight “A” students are at risk of repeating the eighth grade. It’s obvious that something is broken in the system and something needs to be done to fix it. However I don’t think a solution will come soon enough for some parents and students as the school year draws to a close.
The statement also said that 20 to 30 percent of sixth and seventh graders passed the social studies exams. Those results are very alarming to say the least. I can only imagine the reaction parents will have when they learn that their child could be held back. So how does something like this happen? The CRCT is supposed to be more difficult this year than in previous years. That’s because there was a gap in test score for the NAEP or National Assessment Of Education Progress and the CRCT.
The tests showed that about 83 percent of Georgia eight grade students who took the CRCT were proficient or above however only 23 percent scored the same level on the NAEP. Officials blame the lack of a national curriculum as the problem. Parents are complaining that some items on the CRCT were never taught to students. Now that the test is more difficult has the curriculum reflected the change in the test? More focus is being put on teaching the curriculum and less time on review, we need to make sure that all areas of tests are covered.
These test scores may illustrate a need for the state to review it’s current curriculum and other issues that have long been areas of concern such as smaller classroom sizes, more teachers, teacher pay, etc. I definitely think that some kind of a review is warranted if straight “A” students are at risk of repeating the eighth grade. It’s obvious that something is broken in the system and something needs to be done to fix it. However I don’t think a solution will come soon enough for some parents and students as the school year draws to a close.
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