Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Texas Teacher advice
Sorry this is going to be a vent:
I'm working at a charter school teaching science and it's coming around that time for contracts and I still haven't passed my Science Comp. or life science test. I've taken the Science Comp. twice. I did do better the second time, but still didn't pass. I took the life science and failed it by 20 pts. Well I failed both test by 20 pts. I took my middle school science and missed it by 10 pts twice. WTF.....I feel so discouraged, I know the material but I can't seem to pass these test to save my life! I'm really starting to stress because with budget cuts and even though we are not required to be fully certified, I want to keep my job.
Does anyone have any advice please I'm desperate. I study, and seem to keep missing it by the same amount. Help me please.
Re: Texas Teacher advice
Well, the most I can tell you is to brush up on your science content knowledge. Do the tests tell you what areas you are weak in? I've always passed those tests with flying colors (I'm an excellent standardized test-taker, LOL) so I've never paid much attention. Look over the TEKS to make sure that you are studying the correct material.
Could you possibly take the 4-8 Generalist instead of the 4-8 Science? It is easier.
Honestly, it concerns me that you are teaching science but can't pass the test..
Thank you for your advice, however I'm not trying to take an easier test because I'm incapable of passing my content area.Since you commented I assume your a teacher, do you have students that can thoroughly explain/apply and evalutate concepts, but when the test comes they bomb it? Well I'm that student. Its wonderful that you are an excellent standardized test taker, but not everyone is and you should understand that as a teacher I would hope. Me not passing a standardized test which we as teachers know are not the sole indicator of content/concept understanding does not disqualify me from being an effective teacher. There are more than a few teachers I'm sure that have aced their test and have Phd's but are horrible teachers. So as for your need to be concerned..... that was a shitty comment in my opinion.
28/100
LittleL 8/10/07
Baby E 11/27/10
Check out my makeup and reading blog:
Books and Beauty
Actually (and this is speaking as someone who teaches standardized test prep for AP English Lit, the verbal portion of the SAT, and exit-level ELA TAKS) the structure of the test is really not the thing to concentrate on in this situation. You need to study the psychology of the test question and answer sets more than anything else. I'm not familiar with the science TEXES, so I can't be really specific about the content, but it would be a VERY good idea for you to sit down with someone on your campus who is either an experienced test-prep teacher or who is really good at standardized tests (preferably the former) and walk through the test with them. Look at the different types of questions that are being asked, which question types are trying to "trick" you, and focus on the rhetorical purpose behind every reading selection.
Finally, make absolutely sure that it's NOT your content knowledge that's holding you back. You say that you know the content, but in my experience someone who is truly proficient in a subject will pretty much always pass a standardized test in that subject. They may not do as well as they could if they were better acquainted with test-taking strategies, but they won't fail.
28/100
LittleL 8/10/07
Baby E 11/27/10
Check out my makeup and reading blog:
Books and Beauty
Thank you I will take your advice and talk to my mentor.
1) Yes, I'm a teacher. In fact, I'm a science teacher. I more than understand that some students don't do as well on standardized tests as I know they are capable of performing; however, like NSL said, they don't fail it, especially not repeatedly.
2) Lack of content-area expertise is a major problem in science education and you are teaching without certification in a Texas charter school. This is a red flag. You may not like to hear it, but it's true.
3) Sorry, but I stand by my statement. The content exams are really not much more rigorous than the content for the grade levels they cover so it does concern me that you have taken it twice and not passed. You should carefully go over the TEKS for all the grade levels the test covers so you are familiar with what is expected at each grade level and also the content knowledge that you should possess for the test.
4) I don't push TAKS strategies down my kids' throats but there are some basic test-taking strategies that are just good practice that you should employ. The study guide covers much of this though the best piece of advice is to always choose the answer that would apply if you were teaching in "Green Grass ISD" as we call it in grad school.
I would definitely talk to your mentor and review the content that is being tested.
I am not a good test taker either, however failing the test twice is reason for concern. I know I failed my 12th grade chemistry exam twice, not because I was a bad test taker (even though I am) but because I really did not understand the content.
I just took my NYS Literacy exam to be a literacy specialist and I thought I bombed it. I knew the content, but I was unfocused and there always seemed to be 2 right answers. At the end of it all, I passed with a 90% after being almost positive I failed. If you know the content, and know it well, you really *should* be fine.
Are there any tutors that you can seek out for help? In MA, teachers have to pass the MTEL (and the state will NOT accept any other state's tests). There are lots of MTEL tutors - they're always posting on teachers.net!! The tutors are experts in the format and may be able to help.
Good luck!
Not sure if your still keeping up with the thread but..... I went through my exam results and realize its the chemistry and physics domains that are killing me! I not as strong as I should be and have formulated a plan and am going to focus on my low compentencies since I've scored low in the same area each time.
Thanks