A couple of years ago I spent about 20 hours with students at a local school who were most likely to fail the literacy test. Virtually all of them presented both ability and behavior problems, but as we progressed I felt perhaps half of them might succeed. Needless to say I focused on very pragmatic procedures.
Elaine was less cynical than most, but quiet and convinced she couldn't pass. She tried the strategies, and with encouragement seemed ready to give it her best shot. I was most anxious for her to succeed. But she didn't. Her score was 5 points off the pass mark, and the school was convinced it should appeal her result.
The appeal failed. It was my sense of what the whole ordeal had done to Elaine that prompted me to write this piece.
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1 comment:
Ken,
As a teacher of OLC 4O I was particularly interested in reading this piece.
I agree with everything you say about 'bean counting' and how the OSSLT is not an adequate way of assessing whether students are literate (or not). I'm sure we will discuss this issue further at one point or another before the end of the course.
Just wanted to let you know I agree with your opinion and have met many students just like 'Elaine'...it is very rewarding seeing such students gain confidence in their literacy skills after being told for so long that they are inadequate.
Ang Bitondo
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