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A LEAP Forward

Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008  ·   

This week the Department of Education has made a very simple recommendation, to move the testing dates for LEAP, iLEAP and GEE back a couple of weeks. BESE heard and accepted this recommendation and now testing for the 2008-2009 school year will begin April 1, 2009 and end April 9. For a number of years school leaders, teachers and parents have wondered, “Why is the test so early?” When I became Superintendent, I asked that very same question. I listened to the reasons and after hearing everything I wondered still, “Why is the test so early?” It just made too much sense to move the test, so that’s what we’ve done.

I certainly understand the concerns, that the test becomes the focus of instruction and I understand that this doesn’t solve every problem associated with accountability, and we aren’t trying to with this plan. We are simply intending to give teachers more time to teach the skills that are covered on the tests and to give students a greater opportunity for success.

Louisiana’s accountability system is rated among the best in the nation year in and year out, but that doesn’t mean that these policies are static and unchanging. We are always looking for methods to better assess our children and find ways to get them “over the goal line.” You can expect the Department of Education to continue to work with educators, parents, BESE, the legislature and the best minds in the world to improve our system. Moving the test back is just the first step in that.

Comments 
I definitely agree that moving the test back a couple of weeks will be beneficial. I know that my students have decided that since they have taken the test the school year is over. I try to convince them that there is still learning to take place but it is like I am talking to a brick wall.

I am all for testing because, to me, it has a two-fold purpose. It not only makes sure that the students are learning the required material but it also ensures that teachers are teaching what needs to be taught.

The only problem that I have with the test being adminstered the way that it is, is that my students feel if they pass the math part their junior year they have learned all the math they need to know to graduate so they are finished. The same with the English, Science, and Social Studies parts.

I feel that the GEE should be given the Senior year after the students have taken everything to see if they have learned what they should have learned to graduate, hence the name: Graduate Exit Exam. If they fail, let's give them one more try. If they still fail, they do not graduate.

I am really looking forward to seeing what is to come in the future in regards to testing. I think we have a long way to go to balance the scales between testing and motivating kids.
Comment By Rebecca A. White At 4/28/2008 12:31 PM
Several teachers at our school have been talking about the change in testing for next school year. Our concern is no so much with the date, but with the increased testing days. Already, we lose a week of instruction to the test. By stretching it out over 2 weeks, we are now losing 2 weeks of instruction. The 2 days before we start testing will be for review. We are on a six week grading period, which means we lose about one third of our grading period. However, those schools who are on 4 and a half weeks will lose half of their grading period. What is the reasoning for stretching the test out? As far as the students thinking the school year is over, it is up to the teacher to teach and make learning interesting to keep the students involved. Our principal does a good job at backing us up on behavior reinforcement after testing is over.
Comment By Dianna Husers At 4/30/2008 12:53 PM
Thanks for your comments.

It is a challenge to keep students' minds on their work after LEAP. All the more reason to move the test dates closer to end of school. We are working on a plan to move them even closer next year.

The issue of testing of two weeks was a tricky one. We would have preferred to have done this in one week. However, for several reasons we chose this combo. We will try to pursue the suggestion above in the next year.

Paul
Comment By Paul Pastorek At 5/2/2008 6:27 AM
Several teachers at our school have been talking about the change in testing for next school year. Our concern is no so much with the date, but with the increased testing days. Already, we lose a week of instruction to the test. By stretching it out over 2 weeks, we are now losing 2 weeks of instruction. The 2 days before we start testing will be for review. We are on a six week grading period, which means we lose about one third of our grading period. However, those schools who are on 4
Comment By Siman At 12/4/2008 5:07 AM
It would seem to me that if this is required testing that the state would pay for the lower grade students to go on their field trips. This is a hardship on families with more than one child at these schools!!
Comment By Pat Rodberg At 3/31/2009 12:35 PM
I think this is not a bad idea to keep the test early.Due to this students will keep your study continue and teachers could give the more time to the students.
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Comment By densy At 11/17/2009 1:17 AM
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