Careful what you wish for

[Lexie]

It might just happen!

I’ve not been shooting as much as I’d of like to this year since I started teaching 3rd grade. BUT I do feel my time has been well spent and I thought I’d share my student’s success here.

We all know Texas has the famous TAKS test that student must take and pass. All year, as I taught, I also preached to my students about doing their best and believing in them self!! When the day finally came, I knew my kids were prepared. Still, I worried if they would work hard and do their best. The students felt confident about getting 100% passing on the reading TAKS, but some felt unsure/nervous of the math section. Another teacher and I were discussing the fact that we can teach, but ultimately it is up to the student to work to pass the test or poof it off. She said for me to not worry that most of my kids would pass. I made the comment that I was just going to think positive and I expected ALL of my students to pass the math portion of the TAKS. She looked at me and said, “I don’t know. That’s expecting a lot and kind of unrealistic!”

Well, Friday morning our scores finally came in and all I can say is, ALL OF MY STUDENTS PASSED THE MATH TAKS TEST!!!!!!

I was so excited for them! I was so happy I was crying! I’M PROUD OF MY STUDENTS!!!!

They have had great teachers from Kindergarten through 2nd before they got to me. I know teaching is a group effort and I greatly appreciate the dedicated teachers that taught these students prior to this year. Everyones hard work (students, parents, and teachers) paid off!

Thanks for letting me brag on my students!

[Jim Boyd]

Congratulation Debbie! You should be proud of yourself and your students.

I used to tutor 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in math, and I know what a daunting task that can be. I was assigned all of the at-risk children, and in 8 years, I never achieved a 100% pass rate.

[CaptainTom]

Congrats Debbie. Makes it all worthwhile.

[Cajungaltx]

That is awesome!

[engstrom]

Congrats. Getting passing scores on tests is really a team effort between the students, the teachers (including previous teachers) and parents. However, I have no doubts that without a qualified, motivated and effective teacher your students would not have all achieved success. Well done.

[Kalrog]

My wife is a 7th grade SpEd teacher and managed 98% for LA this year and the passing rate was up in every category for her sub group/grade. Yeah, some good results this year for this area.

Congrats to you as well!

[Lexie]

Originally Posted by Jim Boyd

Congratulation Debbie! You should be proud of yourself and your students.

I used to tutor 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in math, and I know what a daunting task that can be. I was assigned all of the at-risk children, and in 8 years, I never achieved a 100% pass rate.

Thanks, Jim. Not to take anything away from my other students, but I have 4 at-risk students. This is a great confidence booster for them as they head out to the 4th grade next year!

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Congrats Debbie. Makes it all worthwhile.

Yes, it is Tom. Thanks

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

That is awesome!

That's what I told the class! They are so proud of them selves.

Originally Posted by engstrom

Congrats. Getting passing scores on tests is really a team effort between the students, the teachers (including previous teachers) and parents. However, I have no doubts that without a qualified, motivated and effective teacher your students would not have all achieved success. Well done.

Yep, team effort! It takes everyone working every day to get the job done. I appreciate the dedicated work of excellent teachers from their previous years. Thanks. This being my first year at teaching, I felt like I had something to prove! Last years scores lacked a bit of luster!!! I had a job to do and the students and I worked hard.

Originally Posted by Kalrog

My wife is a 7th grade SpEd teacher and managed 98% for LA this year and the passing rate was up in every category for her sub group/grade. Yeah, some good results this year for this area.

Congrats to you as well!

Congrats to your wife. SpEd is a tough area. I applaud SpEd teachers. They have a challenging task!

Thanks for letting me boast! I forgot to mention that as I was standing in the middle of the room, delivering the good news, I was almost taken down with a group hug!! I love my kids and my job!

[texkam]

Yeah. Congrats! Of course TAKS is being replace by EOC (end-of-course) assessment for HS.

So..... on Friday my 11th grade daughter gets a notice stating that on Monday the school is (voluntarily) participating in "field testing" the new exams for Physics and U.S. History and that her class MUST take a 2 hour physics exam. The other classes get to spend that time reviewing for finals. Oh, this will also make her miss her English class as well. The exam will be scored, but will have no effect on her grade or graduation plans. Purely for operational purposes only. Whaaaat? Suffice to say, my daughter didn't take that exam.
Thanks for letting me vent. :)