Knowing the school's population and the struggles we face, my personal goal this year was for 50% of my students to pass the Math TAKS test. We worked, struggled, encouraged, worked some more, struggled some more, and finally made it to April 27th, the day of the test. I sent my students in with the best preparation I could offer them, and then I just prayed for the best.
Well, the results are in, and I couldn't be more excited! 68% of all of my students passed the test. 61% of my Math Models students (the remedial math class) passed the test. Juan, the student who every day told me he was too stupid and the material was too hard, passed. You should have seen his smile when he came in to see me this morning. Richard, who struggled all year long just to pass my class and constantly said he was too stupid for math, passed his test. His smile was even wider. Rosie, who had failed by only one question last year, passed her test this year with flying colors. She was extremely proud of herself too. I even had 9 students who earned commended rankings (which means they missed less than four questions). One of those commended students was the one I had dragged (literally dragged some days) into my room three days a week after school for extra tutoring for two months. Commended. Wow. :-)
As a whole, the 10th grade math department did extremely well. We had a passing rate of 73% which is an improvement of 18 points from the 55% passing last year. Wow!!
Overall, the entire math department at the high school had a passing rate of 75%, a major improvement from only 61% passing last year!
I hate to be so excited about standardized testing scores, but this is all we have been working towards for the entire year. With these great scores, good things happen for us. First, the school will get out of the state shut-down program, so we won't have that pressure on us next year. Second, because the math department did so well (75% passing overall), we have surpassed the goal outlined for us in a grant (65% passing), and now we will all receive a $1,200 bonus. Whoo hooo!!! Again, I hate the fact that I am so excited over test scores, but really, it is a huge accomplishment for my students and for the school to have done this well! (And the incentive pay really doesn't hurt either...)
We did a lot of work and changed a lot of things at the school this year to make this all happen. It wasn't always fun, and some days the kids were so awful that I wondered why I was trying so hard. I can spout off explanations to TAKS problems in my sleep, had TAKS nightmares weeks before the test, and have been looking at the same types of questions over and over and over (and over) again in class with my students. Regardless, I feel like I can say that I did the job I was expected to do - I helped my students be successful on their TAKS test. And I think I may have even taught them a little math as well. :-) (Out of all my students, only 33% failed my class...and I wasn't easy on any of them! They WORKED for those grades!)
I know I will see some of these students again next year, possibly even have them in my classes again. I believe that success breeds success, so hopefully, these positive results for so many of my students will help foster a better attitude and more confidence for next year. It would certainly make my life a lot easier! :-)
Now, just eight more days of school, and then we are free for summer vacation. What a welcome and wanted vacation it will be!!
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