The TAKS and the TEKS are big tests for administrators, teachers and students. Scores on these standardized tests determine if schools are exemplary, meeting standards, or below standard. They also determine if students can graduate. To me, these tests seem like a make or break deal. So what are your schools doing to ensure success on these tests?
An article in the Austin American Statesman discuses a school that offers trips paid for by the district, to students who score high enough of the TAKS. To read “Poor district buys students trips to Hawaii, LA, Washington” by Eric Dexheimer, please click on this link, http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/03/17/0317testtrips.html. Another article found in the Austin American Statesman talks about giving students days off of school for doing well on the standardized tests. You can read “Students get days off for passing TAKS.” by Eric Dexheimer at http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/03/17/0317testrewards.html.
Are you giving your students rewards for doing well on the TAKS and TEKS tests? We have heard of principals shaving their heads, kissing pigs and giving pizza parties to students who pass these tests, but is there a point where you cross the line? Is there a point where rewards turn into bribery? I read an article about a school in Florida that pays their students cash for passing certain portions of the FCAT, which is the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. If you are interested in reading this article, you can find it at: http://712educators.about.com/od/assessments/a/high-stakes.htm.
Is paying for students to fly to Hawaii, giving students 10 days off of school or giving them $50 per subject they pass, going too far? Let us know what you think.
Please feel free to answer the questions below:
1. Is your school giving rewards to students who do well on standardized tests? If so, what are students receiving?
2. How far is too far to go when giving out rewards to students?
Texas ASCD Upcoming Events:
April 15th & 16th, 2009
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Luchin
Amarillo ISD - Caprock High School
CLOSED FOR REGISTRATION
May 7th & 8th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
Keller ISD
May 14th, 2009
Elementary Science Tutorial: Start With Vocabulary and Measurement
Annette Venegas
Fort Worth ISD
CLOSED
June 8th, 2009
Traditional Block Scheduling
Dr. J. Allen Queen
Tyler ISD
June 18th & 19th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
Frisco ISD
July 14th & 15th, 2009
Curriculum Leadership Academy
Second Session of Three
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD (Dallas Metroplex area)
July 27th & 28th, 2009
Jumping Hurdles & Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Greenville ISD
August 13th & 14th, 2009
Maximizing Student Success
Tim Westerberg
Sheldon ISD (Houston area)
Rescheduled from a Previous date
October 25th - 27th, 2009
Texas ASCD Annual Conference
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)
October 27th & 28th, 2009
Curriculum Leadership Academy
Third Session of Three
Embassy Suites - Frisco (Dallas Metroplex area)
