Now it's no secret how I feel about testing. There's lots not to like.
But the first question of this reading test (meant for FIRST graders) even stumped my husband - who's working on his Ph.D!
Here's the question (asked orally - the kids only have the answer choices in front of them):
Which word begins with the same sound as "safe"?
A. swing
B. map
C. set
D. slip
Are you scratching your head in confusion yet?
The correct answer is "C" because the other answers are S-blends. But it took me more than 60 full seconds to realize that. So I'm pretty sure my first graders didn't start their test with any sort of self-confidence!
In related news, it turns out that the people at the assessment center are idiots.
12 comments:
That is infuriating! How on earth do they think this will give you any useful data on your students? Good gracious!
Um.. what?! Had you not told me the answer I'd still be sitting here confused. Sounds like a great way to mess up your first grader.
Shouldn't it be what hand do you raise to go #1 or #2? Glad I didn't have to take the test... come visit when you can...
Just posted on my other blog, Rockin' Chair Reflections, Are Bullies Any Different From Gossips? http://bit.ly/hWLEiN
The question sounds like a brain teaser. I wouldn't have gotten it correct.
I'm profound oral only deaf since birth, and I knew the answer. I guess that's because I dealt with phonic too long.
Throttle worthy!!
Few. I have an M.Ed in reading but I don't officialyl use it because. And I thought it would be C because of the blend thing. It took me 10 seconds. But I didn't come up with the word blend until you said it. Wow. I bet every 1st grader does know that though because the idea of blends is beaten right into those little brains.
Wow! I guess I am not smarter than a first grader :)
You probably don't allow swearing on your blog. But I had some choice words. That is so dumb. What does it even prove in the world of assessment? Obviously, they did not include a teacher when coming up with that crap.
That is crazy! I've been one of those people writing 6 weeks tests (and I don't agree with them either) and would NEVER put that as a question! When you grade the test can you not count that one? I've done that before on a test I didn't like!
Feeling incredibly smart at the moment since Max had trouble. Saw it instantly. Must have been all the speech therapy classes I had to take.
But still it is ok to be infuriated.
~JO
I'm not sure why a question like that would be on a test. I would think even though it's a blend the beginning sound still is an s. Blends are encouraged to be made quickly together, but they don't make a new sound.
At some point I would hope our country will come up with an effective way to teach reading. Many studies have been done, but I see many ignoring the results.
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