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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
My oldest is in K so I really am yrs away from this with no clue. That said - I'm very interested and involved in the school and the curriculum and curious about what lies ahead.
Is it common to have a tutor for your child or have them take a review type course (huntington learning center etc.) to prep for these ELA tests? I have friends with older children and in our area it seems this is what is being done! It makes me so nervous for the future! ANd, I feel like - if there are parents doing this doesn't it sort of defeat some of the purpose of these tests?
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Posted 4/2/13 7:15 PM  |
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Marybeth222
My Girls!
Member since 5/05 2688 total posts
Name:
Marybeth
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
We have a tutor but NOT for the ELAs. We realized early on in the year that she was struggling. The core concept is so different than what we learned we felt it was best to get the help she needed. We asked her teacher for a recommendation and the tutor comes once a week for one hour. It's helping her because it gives her the one on one attention.
ETA (she's in third grade)
Message edited 4/2/2013 8:18:53 PM.
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| Posted 4/2/13 8:18 PM |
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stinger
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 4971 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Yes common in my very competitive NYC/queens district. The parents want their kids to score high. The 5th grade score will make a child eligible to take the Hunter High test.
However this year we were told by teachers that they don't know what the test is going to look like because its the new CC standards. Essentially the tutors won't know exactly how to prep the kids.
Personally even with all the pressure and competition where we live I won't have tutors for NYS tests unless the teachers say my children won't pass.
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| Posted 4/3/13 10:37 AM |
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laurabora
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2712 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
From what I understand the ELA has no impact on your child's record at all, only the teacher's and the school's. So I don't know why anyone would invest in a tutor specifically for that.
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| Posted 4/3/13 3:57 PM |
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kgs11
LIF Adult
Member since 2/07 1424 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by laurabora
From what I understand the ELA has no impact on your child's record at all, only the teacher's and the school's. So I don't know why anyone would invest in a tutor specifically for that.
They do in the city. They determine which specialized middle or high school your child can apply/get in to.
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| Posted 4/3/13 4:27 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
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| Posted 4/4/13 12:26 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by laurabora
From what I understand the ELA has no impact on your child's record at all, only the teacher's and the school's. So I don't know why anyone would invest in a tutor specifically for that.
Hmmm...I'm not sure if what I heard is accurate but, other parents have told me the scores determine placement of the children (in enrichment classes etc.).
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| Posted 4/4/13 4:03 PM |
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Karen
Just chillin'!!
Member since 1/06 9690 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by laurabora
From what I understand the ELA has no impact on your child's record at all, only the teacher's and the school's. So I don't know why anyone would invest in a tutor specifically for that.
It can definitely impact class placement, and in many cases, prior tests will be used as quarterly tests, mid-term, etc.
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| Posted 4/4/13 4:59 PM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by BargainMama
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
Do you think parents have any responsibility in their kid's test score? As a teacher and parent I know that the number one factor for student success is parental involvement. If my child was struggling and (even though I don't agree with the testing) I would get my daughters a tutor. I feel that student achievement is a combination of teacher effectiveness , student effort, parental involvement, and an natural ability for the subject area. To lay the blame on just one if these areas will never benefit the student.
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| Posted 4/4/13 5:40 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
Do you think parents have any responsibility in their kid's test score? As a teacher and parent I know that the number one factor for student success is parental involvement. If my child was struggling and (even though I don't agree with the testing) I would get my daughters a tutor. I feel that student achievement is a combination of teacher effectiveness , student effort, parental involvement, and an natural ability for the subject area. To lay the blame on just one if these areas will never benefit the student.
Of course parental involvement is key in school success. The average parent is not a teacher though. My middle school child comes home with math that I have to look online for answers to, because I have no clue. However, if a child is struggling so bad, that they need to take their child to Huntington Learning Center, etc. and the school is not offering assistance, something is amiss.
..and my point was, and answering the OP's question, that yes hiring a tutor, etc. defeats the purpose of these tests IMO.
Message edited 4/4/2013 7:31:07 PM.
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| Posted 4/4/13 7:27 PM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
Do you think parents have any responsibility in their kid's test score? As a teacher and parent I know that the number one factor for student success is parental involvement. If my child was struggling and (even though I don't agree with the testing) I would get my daughters a tutor. I feel that student achievement is a combination of teacher effectiveness , student effort, parental involvement, and an natural ability for the subject area. To lay the blame on just one if these areas will never benefit the student.
Of course parental involvement is key in school success. The average parent is not a teacher though. My middle school child comes home with math that I have to look online for answers to, because I have no clue. However, if a child is struggling so bad, that they need to take their child to Huntington Learning Center, etc. and the school is not offering assistance, something is amiss.
..and my point was, and answering the OP's question, that yes hiring a tutor, etc. defeats the purpose of these tests IMO.
I do understand your points. However the sole purpose of the test is not to see how the school or he teacher is doing. It is also to evaluate how the individual student is doing compared to their peers. As a parent, I would get a tutor to help my child if I felt she was not meeting grade level standards. Even though I hate the new standards that are out. So I would get a tutor and I know other families who do also. Unfortunately some kids need more 1 on 1 instruction that is very difficult to get in schools. I do not fault the school on that. The only way the school could accommodate the kids who need 1 on 1 help is to longer the school day and get rid of art, music, gym and other specials the students go to.
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| Posted 4/4/13 7:50 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
I could be wrong but I think the OP was speaking
about children who are advanced or at worst average and getting them tutors for these tests. She was not asking about tutoring for struggling kids. Itsbabytime correct me if I am wrong.
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| Posted 4/4/13 7:55 PM |
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
Do you think parents have any responsibility in their kid's test score? As a teacher and parent I know that the number one factor for student success is parental involvement. If my child was struggling and (even though I don't agree with the testing) I would get my daughters a tutor. I feel that student achievement is a combination of teacher effectiveness , student effort, parental involvement, and an natural ability for the subject area. To lay the blame on just one if these areas will never benefit the student.
Of course parental involvement is key in school success. The average parent is not a teacher though. My middle school child comes home with math that I have to look online for answers to, because I have no clue. However, if a child is struggling so bad, that they need to take their child to Huntington Learning Center, etc. and the school is not offering assistance, something is amiss.
..and my point was, and answering the OP's question, that yes hiring a tutor, etc. defeats the purpose of these tests IMO.
I do understand your points. However the sole purpose of the test is not to see how the school or he teacher is doing. It is also to evaluate how the individual student is doing compared to their peers. As a parent, I would get a tutor to help my child if I felt she was not meeting grade level standards. Even though I hate the new standards that are out. So I would get a tutor and I know other families who do also. Unfortunately some kids need more 1 on 1 instruction that is very difficult to get in schools. I do not fault the school on that. The only way the school could accommodate the kids who need 1 on 1 help is to longer the school day and get rid of art, music, gym and other specials the students go to.
I don't think there is anything wrong with using whatever available resources help your child. I'm not a big believer in the big education centers but if I needed to look into them further I would. The test scores do not matter to me as much as making sure that my child gets the information and skills that will lay a foundation for schooling in the later years. For that reason I am very concerned with how he performs in the lower grades. I don't love anything I have heard about these tests, though.
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| Posted 4/4/13 9:49 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by Lillykat
I could be wrong but I think the OP was speaking
about children who are advanced or at worst average and getting them tutors for these tests. She was not asking about tutoring for struggling kids. Itsbabytime correct me if I am wrong.
Hi! I am actually just interested overall. The children I know going to huntington learning are average but, their parents want them in the enriched classes. That said, I am curious across the board if this is someithing commonly done both for kids that are struggling and for those already doing ok...
Such a different ball game than when we were kids! Just trying to navigate through it 
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| Posted 4/4/13 10:26 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
Do you think parents have any responsibility in their kid's test score? As a teacher and parent I know that the number one factor for student success is parental involvement. If my child was struggling and (even though I don't agree with the testing) I would get my daughters a tutor. I feel that student achievement is a combination of teacher effectiveness , student effort, parental involvement, and an natural ability for the subject area. To lay the blame on just one if these areas will never benefit the student.
Of course parental involvement is key in school success. The average parent is not a teacher though. My middle school child comes home with math that I have to look online for answers to, because I have no clue. However, if a child is struggling so bad, that they need to take their child to Huntington Learning Center, etc. and the school is not offering assistance, something is amiss.
..and my point was, and answering the OP's question, that yes hiring a tutor, etc. defeats the purpose of these tests IMO.
Unfortunately some kids need more 1 on 1 instruction that is very difficult to get in schools. I do not fault the school on that. The only way the school could accommodate the kids who need 1 on 1 help is to longer the school day and get rid of art, music, gym and other specials the students go to.
Not sure how it works now in elementary school, but our district provided prep classes for ELA and Math if your child received a poor score the year before. It was typically a couple of mornings per week. In middle school there is 0 period and x-time for the children to get extra help if they need it for all subjects, not just test prep. So the school, at least our district, does provide some help.
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| Posted 4/5/13 8:03 AM |
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jes81276
summer fun!
Member since 3/06 4962 total posts
Name:
Jaime
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
In my 12 yeas teaching, I have never heard of a student getting a tutor for the state tests. I have only had students getting a tutor if they were struggling in school. The test results don't do anything for your child, unless they don't meete proficiency. Then they are mandated by NYS to get Academic Intervention Services
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| Posted 4/6/13 8:38 AM |
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Onemoretime
LIF Adult
Member since 9/12 1077 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
Do you think parents have any responsibility in their kid's test score? As a teacher and parent I know that the number one factor for student success is parental involvement. If my child was struggling and (even though I don't agree with the testing) I would get my daughters a tutor. I feel that student achievement is a combination of teacher effectiveness , student effort, parental involvement, and an natural ability for the subject area. To lay the blame on just one if these areas will never benefit the student.
Yes but they shouldn't need a tutor. The teacher should be preparing the kids for these exams.
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| Posted 4/6/13 10:00 AM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Another spinoff - Is it common to get a tutor or review course to prep for these ELA tests?
Posted by My2Girlz11
Posted by BargainMama
If people are hiring tutors for this, there should be a box that gets checked off saying a tutor helped them prepare. Only because the teachers are evaluated by test grades from my understanding. So it's not a true reflection of what they are learning IN school from their teacher, if they are have outside help.
Do you think parents have any responsibility in their kid's test score? As a teacher and parent I know that the number one factor for student success is parental involvement. If my child was struggling and (even though I don't agree with the testing) I would get my daughters a tutor. I feel that student achievement is a combination of teacher effectiveness , student effort, parental involvement, and an natural ability for the subject area. To lay the blame on just one if these areas will never benefit the student.
IMO, no not for ELA testing. I don't believe in the testing...so I won't help my child prepare for it. I will help them prepare and learn the material presented every day in class. If my childs struggling in reading, that is different, a tutor would be to help him read. The testing tutors are for test taking skills and specific test questions, it doesn't in my mind help the over all education of the child in any way.
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| Posted 4/7/13 7:45 PM |
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