I attended the first SSCC meeting last Friday. It's a group of curriculum directors and/or assistance superintendents from many area schools that get together once a month to discuss issues and concerns. We had a representative from ACT that met with us. We discussed the focus of ACT and how it had changed from merely being a college entrance examination to being an indicator of success in the workplace as well. As educators and parents we have often lowered our expectations for the students that weren't going to college but the research is telling us there really isn't a difference anymore. In 2006 ACT published a report that showed that the skills to be ready for college weren't different than those necessary to be successful in the workforce (Ready for College and Ready for Work: Same or Different?). Our focus on standards for the students of CCUSD#1 isn't just for the state test or college admission, it's helping to prepare them for success in life.
The senior consultant from ACT also shared a new research study on middle school students. The report is called The Forgotten Middle and the data shows that "fewer than two in ten eighth graders are on target to be ready for college-level (career) work by the time they graduate from high school." We have spent a lot of time focusing on our high school students to help them meet the standards presented to them on the PSAE, but this report points out that it might be too late to try and make substantial changes by the 9th grade. The report is something we'll be looking at to make sure that we are doing everything we can to prepare our students so we aren't leaving 8 of 10 eighth graders behind before they even start high school.
In my continuing effort to be part of the solution and not the problem, my "thanks" this week goes out to Giana. Giana is a dynamic new teacher that is always looking for ways to engage her students. She not only wants to teach her students about health and fitness, she wants to change their lifestyle so that healthy living becomes a part of them. She spent countless hours over the summer meeting with her "FFL Girls" to help them stay on track during the break. She gives of her time without monetary reward because she really cares about the students. She not only talks the talk, she walks the walk. She is a constant reminder to me of why we become educators, it really is all about the students. Thanks Giana!
Thanks for reading
Tammy
Great blog site Tammy- I am interested to see how the push for national standards jives with the use of ACT in Illinois as a portion of PSAE testing. It is also great to hear that dedicated staff members are trying to light a "fire" in students- especially in the area of health and fitness!
ReplyDeleteThe contract is "up" with ACT in 2010. It will be interesting to see what the state will do with high school testing at that time. I think we'll see a renewal until the new national/state standards are in place. Time will tell.
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