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Kentucky Schools, Students Preparing for State's Big Test

Posted on: Monday, 17 April 2006, 03:03 CDT

By Raviya H. Ismail, The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky.

Apr. 17--Gedais Bathelette planned to stay away from the television set and study a little harder. He aimed to get eight hours of sleep and eat filling breakfasts of waffles, sausages and oranges.

He wanted to be ready for the big day.

The fifth-grader at Johnson Elementary School is hoping to outdo his previous performance on the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System, whose tests begin today. Last year, the 10-year-old scored proficient in writing and reading and scored distinguished in the science portion of the test.

"If I did good on the last testing, I'm going to do good on this testing," he said. "I'm confident."

Testing for students in all public schools lasts throughout April 28 for students in grades three through 12. In the past few weeks, schools held pep rallies, met with students and used a variety of gimmicks to get students motivated. Teachers and administrators sent informational brochures home to parents while many younger students opted out of playtime to get some last-minute studying done. Parents either have encouraged children to score high or are trying to calm rattled nerves.

Morton Middle School PTA co-president Liz Rose said her eighth-grade daughter didn't enjoy last week's beautiful spring weather because she was stressed about taking CATS.

When she asked her daughter if she was going to relax after school one day, she said "I don't have time. I need to study," Rose said.

"No, go outside, play with the dogs, watch television," Rose told her daughter.

This test year, the second in the 2005-2006 cycle, is a crucial one for low-performing schools in the region. School scores are calculated by combining student performance on state and national tests in seven subject areas, and schools are judged every two years on progress toward their specific goals.

Low-performing schools that reach their scoring goals during this testing session can redeem themselves and avoid having to get assistance from the state.

By 2014, every school in Kentucky is expected to reach a proficient score -- 100 out of 140. In 2005, more than half of Fayette County schools had increased CATS scores, but many will have to make at least double-digit gains to be on track.

Schools like Johnson, one of three Fayette County elementary schools scoring in the bottom 10 statewide in 2005, have a tough task ahead of them. Johnson school scored 57.6 out of a possible 140 points on the test. The goal to meet this year is 67.

Testing experts fear this emphasis on test scores forces teachers to focus the bulk of their curricula on test content.

"In classrooms serving low-income and minority kids, it turns into teaching the test," said Robert Schaeffer, Public Education Director with the National Center for Fair and Open Testing. "The test becomes the curriculum. Because of concerns that those kids are not going to pass, education becomes narrowed to the content of the test."

Eventually this can drive students away from learning, he said.

"Education becomes a rote process of memorization, of drill and practice and of taking tests," Schaeffer said. "Any joy is out of the classroom and any desire to learn for its own right is removed. Beyond that it becomes mind-numbing."

Fayette County school officials have said while they are making students aware of academic goals they also are telling students to remain calm.

"This is about students showing what they know and can do," said Carolyn Martin, the district's assessment coordinator. "They need to want to do their best, but we don't want them to be overly stressed."

Morton Middle School boasted scores of 95.8 in 2005, making it the seventh-highest performing middle school in the state and eight years ahead of its academic goals.

Principal Jock Gum said he has met with students throughout the year to ease the stress level while focusing attention on the school's score goal: 97.

"The more you involve students in the process, the more they understand," said Gum. "We treat them like adults. The more we involve them in the process the more they take ownership of it."

Linlee Elementary School Principal Sandy Mefford said last week the atmosphere at the school was a "low-key" approach of review and relaxation.

The school scored 72.3 last year and landed on a list of schools with the most significant achievement drops. Their goal this year is 90.

"Our motto is 'business as usual,'" said Mefford. "Our test scores will speak for themselves. We don't need a lot of hype. I want students to see what hard work does."

Johnson fifth-grade student Shannai Brooks, 10, scored proficient in reading last year. Her plans for the past weekend involved getting her hair curled for Easter and spending time with family.

"I don't even have the test on my mind," she said.

Meanwhile, high school officials have the difficult job of motivating students to take the tests seriously at a time when many are preparing to take ACT and SAT tests.

Some high school students said they see the CATS testing period as a time of relaxation or distraction. Many said the only benefit in scoring high is exemptions from final exams.

"No one studies for it, you just show up one day and take it," said Jessica Hill, 16, a Paul Laurence Dunbar High School junior. "When I was younger I always thought it was a big deal; now, I could care less."

At Tates Creek High School students were asked to decorate the school with its goal of 88.5.

"We made (posters) in a couple of our classes, which I thought was a pretty big waste of time," said Alex Frost, 16, a sophomore.

"If they're going to promote '88.5' it should be more than just a number, because that's how I'm seeing it right now. ... Their efforts are more distracting than they are doing any good."

Reach Raviya H. Ismail at (859) 231-3342, 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3342, or rismail@herald-leader.com [mailto:rismail@herald-leader.com]

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky.

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Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, Ky.)

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