grade 3 testing and WDW

[nathansmom]

I have a question for anyone who has kids who wrote the standardized test in grade three. I have just found out that the testing lasts for three weeks. Next year according to their website it is May 9-27. My son will be in Grade three next year.

Here is my Problem. We had planned to go to WDW from May 16 to 25 for Star Wars weekends, and also include the Victoria day holiday in so I didn't have to use an extra day of vacation. With my job this would be the ideal time as it is not the busy time of the month ansd I could easily get the time off. I do not know what to do?????? We have postponed this trip twice now as DS wanted to go to NYC in may instead of WDW, so we were going to take him in Dec but DH company is moving and is not allowed to take any vacation till March.


What would you do?????????Please help

 

[Scratch42]

They will not allow children to take that time off.

Wait until the second to last weekend and talk to your son's principal. Maybe he can get a repreive.

Good Luck.

Scratch

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Go to Disney World!! My DS's school test yearly for the Canadian Testing Basic Skills. Every other year it is Grade 3 and 6 only and then on the other year it is 3-8 (I think). I spoke to our VP and told him we may be gone during the testing time. He told us not to worry about missing some of the tests. After all it is the teacher's ability to teach that is being evaluated not the individual student.

What would happen if your child was sick on testing day?? Nothing.

If it makes you feel better call the teacher and ask, but I would do what was right for me and my family.

I know we have some teachers on this board so I'm sure they'll have some insight into this problem.

 

[nepean]

The grade three testing is not required under the law. Many parents object to the testing and refuse to send their kids on the testing days. In fact the school near us excused some kids because they couldn't handle the testing process. My daughter was never tested and is doing just fine .

Nepean

 

[diz karen]

The grade 3 testing is just to rate the school and has nothing to do with the child. My daughter wrote the tests and I wish she hadn't. The teacher put so much stress on the kids. My daughter said the teacher walked around and would point and clear her throat to tell the kid to check that answer. She wanted to make sure her class did well.
I would not miss Disney for the test. The only problem I would see is that if your child misses some of the test they probably will not be able to write any of it so they may have to find something else to do during the testing that takes place while they are there.

 

[SandraC]

Go to WDW. In 20 years you won't remember grade 3 testing, but you will remember Disney! S

 

[LisaSt]

Go to WDW you will not regret it.

 

[mom_rules]

They usually test grade 3, 6 9 and 10-the only mandatory required test in order to graduate high school is the grade 10 literacy test.

Most high schools now also require students to write final exams (not like when we were in school and were exempted if we had good grades). You can request an exemption with compelling reasons (ie. we have planned this vacation for a year and have already paid substanial deposits-it's the only family vacation we will have this year etc.)

I have found that most principals and teachers are very reasonable when it comes to family vacation times esp. in elementary schools. For grade 3 testing - they don't usually test each and every day of the 3 weeks. Your school should be able to advise you what components are on what days. I think they have a column on the report that says did not complete or something like that.

Check with the teachers-go to WDW-holiday/family time is more beneficial for a child than a test that shows how the school is doing.

 

[lovedisneyca]

three weeks of testing? Have they changed the tests? My daughter took it two years ago and it was 5 days, all completed in the same week. It was the same last year in our school. 3 weeks seems alot

 

[Rebecca P.]

Go on Vacation!! As posted this is an evaluation of the curriculum and the teaching staff not the student. We have taken our kids out of school for the testing and as early as a week before since the teacher is preparing the kids to write the tests. Coaching them in fact.

Your kids will learn more on holiday with you that week!!

Go and enjoy.

Rebecca

 

[CdnDisneyer]

Go on your vacation - it's really a test to see how the teachers are teaching - not for the kids. Don't worry - book your vacation and enjoy!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

And another vote for vacation!!

I agree that in 20 yrs they will remember the vacation not some 3 week test in grade 3!!

 

[MommaBear]

I would check with the school but this is your child and you are the parent and ultimately it is your decision.

Grade 3 is only the beginning of the testing and I would definately go on the trip and not worry about the test!

The most important test is in Grade 10, if they don't pass they are not allowed to Graduate. They must continued to take test (Gr. 11, Gr. 12) until they pass in order to receive their diploma.

You don't have to worry about that one for 7 years so I vote GO TO WDW!


H.

 

[mom_rules]

I checked with a GF whose daughter went through grade 3 testing this past spring (in the separate school system). Eventhough they may say it's 3 weeks-the week before they did indeed do a review and practice tests (her daughter was so stressed out about the whole thing-she thought that if she did not do well on the testing, they would keep her in grade 3 next year). The actual testing was 2 full mornings one week, 2 afternoons the next and they finished up with 1/2 day the last. In other words, 5 - 1/2 days spread out. Other schools did them all in one week 3 mornings followed by 2 afternoons.
Check with your school but I don't think you need to worry about it if you have to miss some or all of it.

 

[Debbie]

Let me clear up the three weeks of testing for you. The dates set (May 9-27) are the dates that the provincial testing must be completed by the schools. It is a 5-day test that can be done during that time frame. Your own school will choose the dates that the teacher(s) will administer. Many schools do 5 in a row, some do 2 one week, 3 the next (or vice versa), so you really will have to talk to the teachers. They, however, may not yet know the final dates that they will be doing the test.

As to whether you take your child or not, that is entirely up to you. No, the test is not mandatory, but I personally would not excuse my child. It is not horrific and it can be fun. It is tiring! I know that when I gave the test the children enjoyed the treats, but by the end of the day (or even the half), they were drained! The child CAN write the components that she is there for. BTW, the children are taught (coached as someone wrote) HOW to write tests all through the primary grades. They are reminded of all those test taking strategies closer to the date. Not something that is done just for the test, though.

If I were making plans, and I knew the exact dates, I would work around them, if at all possible, but that is my choice. If I didn't know the dates, I would make my plans and forget the testing. As Sandra said, In 20 years you won't remember grade 3 testing, but you will remember Disney! And don't forget, this is just one assessment over the course of your child's education. [In some provinces, it is a one day, computerized (read MUCH CHEAPER and just as-or more-accurate) test. I wish that we didn't spend the millions and millions on this one to tell me what I already know.]

So, that is a long winded answer to say: Book your holiday! It sounds like the perfect time for you and your family. Go! Have fun! And hug Mickey for us!

 

[mom_rules]

Thanks for clarifying the situation! Makes sense now.

 

[SKFamily]

Go to WDW, plain and simple. No, they cannot say the child can't be excused from the tests - that's your call, not theirs. These tests are more about the school/teacher than they are the students. My dh is a teacher, our ds did not write the grade 3 tests - our choice. Missing them had no effect on him whatsoever.

When your son is older what will he remember.... WDW or grade 3 testing? The tests are no big deal - they show whether or not the teacher is teaching to the curiculum, that's it. They can't even be used to guage your ds's progress because even the best of students can have a bad day, or be stressed and anxious over these tests and blow it. Their work over the year is the best show of progress.

Have fun at WDW!