Re: PSSA test scores-poor

[Guest guest]

>

> Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated

tests????? It seems each year my son does worse.

>

> We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading.

>

> Any ideas? Help? Depressing....bugged me all day long...

My Asperger son (14yo) does fine in reading, but all his other state exam scores

keep going down too, especially math. My plan for next year is the following.

First, our neuropsych recommended a book called Executive Function in

Education--I read that--it has a chapter specifically on math and executive

functioning. Second, now that we have the IEP and we should get my son doing

every single piece of homework, I am going to carefully examine all his work,

looking for the problems described in the book.

Hopefully, I can then say, okay, he doesn't have a learning disability per se,

but this is how I see his executive dysfunction affecting his math and this is

one way he could be helped (quoting book LOL).

That is my general plan.

Regarding your son specifically--are you sure he doesn't need more time?

Just as an aside, all the schools in our area missed 2-3 weeks of school due to

Hurricane Ike, and the state ed agency decided not to make us make it up. So,

we got out on time. Not sure if that was good or bad, but I'm happy to be out

for the summer. Hang in there!

Ruth

[Guest guest]

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be

on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses. But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherryFrom: jrushen <jrushen@...> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse.

We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading.

Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...

Jan

[Guest guest]

Yeah...PSSA are PA tests but each state has their own. I live in the Poconos...and work for the Pocono Mt. School District... I know deep down that they are state tests to see how well the school are teaching...but each year my son has gotten worse ...ugh.

I felt so depressed...yesterday and today. I watched him in church....he is different than all the other kids...they are so confident and he is not...they get up and talk and do things he could never do....he is actually bored in church..he won't sing...but he does like the other kids and tends to follow them around....just watching him I wanted to cry....he is "different" and tries so hard to fit in...he follows everyone...and constantly needs someone over to hang with ...maybe for reassurance????

Where do you live in PA? Do you ever go to Camelbeach ...we just joined for the summer...can't beat it $99.00 per person and we can go as much as we want...and it normally costs $35.00 per day...So even if we only go 3 times we still make out.

One and 1/2 days left of school...yeah...but I will miss my kids!!!!

Jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone@...>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan

[Guest guest]

>

> Executive Function in Education....hmmmm...can I get it at borders...is it

costly?  I think I would like to check it out...

>  

> My son rushes through everything...it is boring so he wants to be done with

it...he never checks his work...he rushes and rushes.  .....oh...so

depressing...

This is the Amazon link.

http://www.amazon.com/Executive-Function-Education-Theory-Practice/dp/1593854285\

/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8 & s=books & qid=1245033851 & sr=1-1

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Jan,

My son did OK in our state test, but I know it can only get harder for him.

These state tests are definitely not set up for kids with AS. There are things

you can include in his IEP to help with this. One is to get him in a room with

just a teacher to take the test (This tends to let him take the time he needs

without seeing how fast everyone is going). Another is that it might be

possible (I haven't gotten it for my son, yet) to have the test read to him. I

believe that having to read the test, then think about it, then write down the

answer is sometimes too much processing for our kids.

Anyway, the teacher that said the test results shouldn't bug us is probably

right. I really don't think the results show up anywhere in your child's

records at all.

Executive Functioning problems can show up in lots of ways. If you really want

to help him to try to overcome some of the problems our kids have with this,

this is what a therapist recomended for me. First, if we're talking about math,

and lets say he is supposed to add two 6 figure numbers. Under the written

instructions that tell him to add these numbers, you write in (after you get the

answer, subtract the first number from the answer to see if you get your second

number. If it is different, add again). These self-check processes are

something our kids can't seem to understand they have to do in order to be done

with the problem. The more you do this for your son, the higher the probability

that come test time, he will remember he has to do this to get the problem

right.

As for the reading part, you can do the same, except maybe tell him to read the

questions first, then look through the story for the answers. Also, I don't

know if you've ever heard of this, but our school really pushes the ACE it

process. First, they learn to write the ANSWER, then they learn to CITE from

the story where they got the answer. Then they EXPAND on the answer by putting

something down that they have read or that applies to them. (If it was a

question " What kind of girl was goldilocks in the story " , they might put--She

was naughty. The story says she ate the bears' porrige, then broke one of their

chairs, then slept in their beds without even asking. If I was naughty like

that, my mom would ground me.) This process works for math, too. Since in

these tests the answer is usually only part of the points they get, you ANSWER

the question, you COMPUTE, and you EXPAND by stating why you used this

computation. If it looks like the kids used the right way to do the problem,

but only got the answer wrong, then they get points for that. But this has to

be taught over and over with our kids so they get the process that they should

use. If your school isn't doing it, you have to do it at home.

I hope you can help you son. Just forgive yourself for not being the " perfect "

mom who does it all, including somehow teaching their child everything they need

to know. There really aren't any perfect moms out there, and I don't know why

we keep punishing ourselves for something we really can't change.

ah

In , rushen janice <jrushen@...> wrote:

>

> Execcutive Function in Education....hmmmm...can I get it at borders...is it

costly?  I think I would like to check it out...

>  

> My son rushes through everything...it is boring so he wants to be done with

it...he never checks his work...he rushes and rushes.  .....oh...so

depressing...

>  

> Jan

>

>

> Janice Rushen

>  

> " I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope "

>

>

>

>

> From: r_woman2 <me2ruth@...>

> Subject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor

>

> Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 8:42 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated

tests????? It seems each year my son does worse.

> >

> > We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading.

> >

> > Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...

>

> My Asperger son (14yo) does fine in reading, but all his other state exam

scores keep going down too, especially math. My plan for next year is the

following. First, our neuropsych recommended a book called Executive Function

in Education--I read that--it has a chapter specifically on math and executive

functioning. Second, now that we have the IEP and we should get my son doing

every single piece of homework, I am going to carefully examine all his work,

looking for the problems described in the book.

>

> Hopefully, I can then say, okay, he doesn't have a learning disability per se,

but this is how I see his executive dysfunction affecting his math and this is

one way he could be helped (quoting book LOL).

>

> That is my general plan.

>

> Regarding your son specifically- -are you sure he doesn't need more time?

>

> Just as an aside, all the schools in our area missed 2-3 weeks of school due

to Hurricane Ike, and the state ed agency decided not to make us make it up. So,

we got out on time. Not sure if that was good or bad, but I'm happy to be out

for the summer. Hang in there!

>

> Ruth

>

[Guest guest]

Jan we live close to Erie, my son is noticeably different as well we had track and field day at the end of the yr and i too watched my child and how different he was how he kinda stood back and watched and i too felt the pain you describe, i have been told my son is weird the kids at the new school are not mean but they tend to either not include or my son just doesnt know how to do the whole friendship thing he likes the majority of kids and says they are his friends but he doesnt play with them he doesnt really talk with them, the teacher said in the eval meeting that he parallel plays mostly as if he doesnt understand how to join in with the other kids, my heart broke.But he is going to start a social skills group next wk so i am estatic about that. His OT is doing the group she felt it

would be great for josh. she brought it up to me i quess offered and i jumped on it as i have been wanting this sort of thing for him for a very long time. He has wrap services but they arent permitted to do that sort of thing on the count of the whole confidenciality thing . but we are in a small town and i know how my son behaves due to the AS so now i can spot a child with symptoms a mile a way lol, but especially if the child has a tss like my son. The companies are supposed to help our children but if they arent allowed to form a group so they can understand things how far is the therapy going to help these kids? I mentioned this to the tss and thought about making a suggestion if they are worried about confidintiality then why not have parents sign a release form like they do with other things. Sherry ps sorry i know i misspelled alot of words.From: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 8:37:10 PMSubject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Yeah...PSSA are PA tests but each state has their own. I live in the Poconos...and work for the Pocono Mt. School District... I know deep down that they are state tests to see how well the school are teaching...but each year my son has gotten worse ...ugh.

I felt so depressed... yesterday and today. I watched him in church....he is different than all the other kids...they are so confident and he is not...they get up and talk and do things he could never do....he is actually bored in church..he won't sing...but he does like the other kids and tends to follow them around....just watching him I wanted to cry....he is "different" and tries so hard to fit in...he follows everyone...and constantly needs someone over to hang with ...maybe for reassurance? ???

Where do you live in PA? Do you ever go to Camelbeach ...we just joined for the summer...can' t beat it $99.00 per person and we can go as much as we want...and it normally costs $35.00 per day...So even if we only go 3 times we still make out.

One and 1/2 days left of school...yeah. ..but I will miss my kids!!!!

Jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan

[Guest guest]

Sherry....that is a great idea..have the parents sign a release....or maybe if you have an AS group in your area ...maybe you could get the kids together once a month or more???

There is a group here and they are just starting to get a group of kids together. My son said okay...but he gets really bored quickly. He loves Xbox, WWII, Movies, riding his bike and swimming or working out with weights.

Thanks for the support...it does feel awful watching your own child...knowing he/she will never be like the other ..will never stand up front and speak or sing in the choir or been the acolyte...I guess I should count my blessing...he did do confirmation classes....and he did walk down the center aisle with his sponsor and stood up front with the kids...but he would not look out at the church members...he kept his head down the whole time.

Jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan

[Guest guest]

Jan that is great. we dont have an AS group here that i know of that is why i have been thinking of making it a suggestion , the new social skills group is gonna be great though i think. My son gets bored quick too, and he is usually making a fuss when he gets bored he too will not look a people in the eye i cant imagine him having to stand in front of the church where all eyes were on him he gets to nervous especially if he thinks they are all looking at him, he'd start yelling out why is everyone looking at me , why wont they stop, make them stop looking at me, they wouldnt like it if i looked at them and wouldnt stop. this carrying on would go on for a minimum of 10 minutes but most certainly more like 20-30 minutes. that's why i said in another post that my sons obsessiveness seems to

change moment to moment whatever the moment is . it seems crazy but that is how he works, i try real hard not to get him worked up like that but you know we cant prevent every situation, i know we all probably alot of times wish we could.he presented me one time and said why me mom? i said what he just simply said why did i have to be the one who is different, why not someone else (his sisters is who he mentioned) i said i dont know son, that is just the way you were made and i still love you very very much, he said the same as my sisters i said of course and then he tried to throw in there more than my sisters with a big grin on his face and laughing his little giggle that he has i just laughed with him. But i would press school if there is a service that your son is entitled to and they are not providing it they are breaking the law, in the info i have from pen it says they have to follow iep and that if you child qualifies for spec, ed

then they have to give services or you can file a complaint, or grievance or something like that not exactly sure of that info but i can look in my files and find if you like.sherryFrom: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 4:51:42 PMSubject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Sherry....that is a great idea..have the parents sign a release....or maybe if you have an AS group in your area ...maybe you could get the kids together once a month or more???

There is a group here and they are just starting to get a group of kids together. My son said okay...but he gets really bored quickly. He loves Xbox, WWII, Movies, riding his bike and swimming or working out with weights.

Thanks for the support...it does feel awful watching your own child...knowing he/she will never be like the other ..will never stand up front and speak or sing in the choir or been the acolyte...I guess I should count my blessing...he did do confirmation classes....and he did walk down the center aisle with his sponsor and stood up front with the kids...but he would not look out at the church members...he kept his head down the whole time.

Jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan