MEAP remains
MEAP remains controversial Foreign-born students struggle with standardized test BY JENNIFER T. KORAIL Not too long ago teachers across Michigan were preparing their students for the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) examinations. Schools are required to test at least 95 percent of their student bodies each year. But some parents and educators show concern for bilingual students taking the exam. The MEAP is designed to evaluate students’ learning progression. In theory, the MEAP also evaluates the learning merit of each school. If students do well on the exams, their achievements are reflected in the school’s composite scores. Ideally, the MEAP should measure steady improvement among students year to year. This would demonstrate that schools are maintaining adequate learning environments. Similar to most standardized examinations, however, the MEAP continues to be controversial. In the Warren district, much of that controversy lies with foreign-born and first-generation students. Students in the Warren Consolidated School District speak more than 20 different native languages combined. Many are bilingual or just beginning to learn English. MEAP exams include significant reading and writing sections, which can be difficult and even tricky for students who speak more than one language. And while these students might be excelling in and out of the classroom, there is always a chance that their true learning achievements are not accurately reflected in their exam scores. Language and social barriers are among the most prominent factors that can affect a child’s performance on the exams. It can take an individual five to seven years to gain proficiency in a foreign language. Metro Detroit is a growing melting pot of different ethnicities and backgrounds. More and more students come from bilingual homes where English may not be their first language. Some are immigrant and refugee children who have never set foot inside of a classroom. These children not only have to learn language and grammar, they also have to adapt socially. However, the MEAP test is required for all students who go through Michigan public schools, regardless of their home environment. Even if a bilingual child starts an English education as early as kindergarten, he or she might not be completely proficient in the language until fourth grade at the earliest. What happens to immigrant students who have to begin their American education in the third or sixth grade? If students have to deal with the challenges of keeping close ties to one culture as well as adapting to another, how can they be expected to meet strict standards set by the state when their situations are not taken into account? BALANCING ACT Sue Kattula, a candidate for the Warren School Board, is very passionate on this subject. As a Guaranteed Best Rate! ** 1 Year CD (12-17 Month) 3 .60% Annual percentage yield* 2 Year CD (24-29 Month) 4 .00% Annual percentage yield* (800) 642-0039 3 Year CD (36-47 Month CD) 4 .25% Annual percentage yield* *Certificates of Deposit: Annual Percentage Yields (APY) on all CDs listed above are effective as of 3/23/05. 12-17 month annual percentage yield is 3.60%, 24-29 month annual percentage yield is 4.00% and 36-47 month annual percentage yield is 4.25%. Minimum opening balance requirement is 0 and maximum deposit is 0,000. Deposits are allowed only on the maturity date or during the grace period. Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Interest compounded quarterly. Rates are effective for a limited time only and subject to change without notice. Not available for public units. **Customer must have an active personal checking account to qualify for the Best Rate Guarantee. Flagstar will guarantee qualified customers the best rate published at any FDIC insured institution in the county where their Flagstar banking center is located. Customer must provide evidence of the best rate prior to CD account opening. Please contact your local Flagstar branch for more information. Certain restrictions may apply. Member FDIC www.flagstar.com 42 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2005
mother of five children, Kattula has been involved with Warren schools for years and speaks highly of them. She has spent more than three years as Parent Teacher Organization president of Hatherly Elementary School. Kattula understands the difficulties of balancing heritage and tradition with nationality. “It is difficult for the children because they have to adapt academically, mentally and socially,” said Kattula. “Many times they are the ones helping their parents learn as well. Then when they take exams, these students are trying to read the words in the questions and understand what they are saying. It can be very stressful for them.” Hatherly Elementary Principal Dianne Marcy shares her thoughts as well. “Every year the students have to meet higher marks on the MEAP exams,” she said. “Though setting high standards is positive for learning, continuing to meet the goals is always a concern. We work very hard to prepare the students with every action we can take.” School administrations are concerned about failing to meet the higher standards because, as a result of poor test scores, the state has the right to deem schools unfit. The repercussions of this are significant as the schools’ policies and programs would then have to undergo drastic changes. Although award-winning schools, Hatherly Elementary and Flynn Middle could still receive a failing grade from the state based on their MEAP scores alone. Administrations at the schools say they work diligently to receive recognition for their exemplary performance and curriculum. Only 39 schools in the state received Michigan Blue Ribbon awards this past year, and three of them came from Warren Consolidated Schools. The MEAP should take into consideration the fact that students have specific individual needs and situations, critics say. TOO MUCH EMPHASIS? Kattula emphasizes the importance of having a well-rounded school. “The MEAP exams are important, but we should not focus on the scores alone,” she said. “When the students can show that they can understand their lessons and the concepts they are learning to their parents and teachers, that is more important to me than their scores in the MEAP.” Concern about the MEAP exams is a growing issue. Inner-city districts, schools with special education students and institutions that cater to children undergoing psychological and emotional difficulties are questioning the MEAP. Next year, the program will expand to require thirdgraders take the exams. This means that as second-graders, students will have to prepare for the MEAP while they are barely beginning to hone their reading and writing skills. While it would be impossible to eliminate a standardized exam such as the MEAP, there might be some possible ways of improving the way exams are administered to foreignborn and bilingual students. Kattula stressed that the examinations are important, but do not offer a complete display of school and student merit. Perhaps scores for bilingual subgroups should not be counted against schools until the students pass at least five years of English proficiency. The MEAP should take into consideration the fact that students have specific individual needs and situations that might affect the way they interpret questions on exams, critics say. Different exams and testing environments for children with specific needs might be too costly for schools to implement. The most logical solution, many say, may be to simply take a combination of factors into consideration when judging schools instead of limiting the schools to exam scores. For example, each school in a given district could be evaluated through a combination of its test scores, teacher evaluations, surprise school visits, administrative reports and parental/guardian satisfaction. 2002 JAGUAR SELECT EDITION X-TYPE ALL WHEEL DRIVE 20 TO CHOOSE FROM STARTING AT $ 129 * Fully loaded inc. heated seats & moon roof & leather Select Edition Warranty: 6-Year or 100,000-Mile Factory Backed Limited Warranty From Original Date of Purchase Certification: Comprehensive 140-point mechanical inspection. See retailer for details of limited warranty. 1 LEASE FOR 24 MONTHS 1815 Maplelawn Troy, MI 48084 (In the Troy Motor Mall off Maple between Crooks and Coolidge) www.jaguaroftroy.com 6 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY • SELECT EDITION PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR *Lease prices based on approved credit, plus tax, title, registration and plates. Lease includes 24 mos/24,000 miles. Leasee responsible for excess wear and tear and mileage at .20/mile over stated lease miles. ,900 down plus 1st payment, security y deposit and acquisition fee. Expires 4/30/05. OF TROY 1-888-225-486 1-888-225-48730 1-888-225-486 0 1-888-225-486 Only Michigan Dealer to Win The Prestigious “Pride of Jaguar” Award for Excellence in Sales & Service - 2 Years Running Maple APRIL 2005 CHALDEAN NEWS 43
