ISTEP Concerns

This is an email going around about what we can do with our ISTEP frustrations. If enough teachers voice their opinions, maybe something really can change.

What you can do about I-STEP concerns:

Share your I-STEP concerns (being as specific as possible without violating test security and please do NOT use school computers) with

* State Superintendent Tony Bennett who chairs the State Board of Education tbennett@doe.in.gov ;

* the At Large Member of the State Board of Education David Shane Dshane@LDILTD.com ;

* the State Board of Ed. Member in your Congressional district (You may locate your congressional district at http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/pdf/congdist/pagecgd109_in2.pdf )

(Your State Board member's contact information is at the BOTTOM of the page at this link: http://www.doe.in.gov/stateboard/)

* and your legislator. (Locate and e-mail your legislator at http://capwiz.com/nea/in/state/main/?state=IN.)

I-STEP Statewide Meltdown Reported

The term most frequently used to describe student and staff reaction to the new I-STEP tests is "meltdown". The reports
are coming from every corner of the state, from all grades tested, and from students and schools of all descriptions.

The difficulty and apparent non-alignment of the tests with appropriate grades, texts, and student developmental levels has alarmed
teachers, students, parents and administrators. Reports are pouring in of students crying, literally pulling out their hair, refusing to eat,
suffering stomach aches and worse. ISTA has received reports of an unprecedented number of calls to parents to take their children
home because they are physically unable to remain at school.

While more concerns are coming from 4th grade teachers and parents than from any other single grade, complaints are also coming from
those in grades 3 into high school. Among them reportedly -

* even the most advanced students cannot complete the math tests on time;

* tests are covering content not found in some textbooks and not yet taught at this point in the school year (a problem experienced
when I-STEP tests were first conducted in the spring years ago);

* some content, terminology, language, and examples are beyond the grade and developmental level of the students tested. For instance,
the language on some math tests was beyond the grade level of the students, putting accurate assessment of their math skills in question;

* questions are confusing, ambiguous, and sometimes cumulative so that missing any calculation in the a previous question virtually
guarantees the student will miss the follow-up, unnecessarily lowering scores;

* some questions appear to try to trick the students, putting accurate assessment of student knowledge in question;

* multiple standards are included within one question, making it difficult to determine which standard the student didn't understand and
negating diagnostic use of the test results.

Fourth grade teachers have compared last fall's 5th grade test (which tested 4th grade content) to this spring's 4th grade test (which is also
supposed to test 4th grade content), and report that the tests are very dissimilar.

State Board of Ed. members cannot take corrective action unless they know what to correct. If you feel question 1 on day 1 of the 5th grade
math test is flawed, indicate that and describe the flaw as specifically as possible without violating test security rules. Please do not use
school computers or school time to report your concerns.

ISTA will establish a collection site for suggested I-STEP changes and will report that site in future hotlines.