I respectfully object to your use of the phrase “extra city money”.

There is no such animal in these challenging times.

Until you understand that basic concept, you will remain out of touch with a growing number of the taxpayers who voted for you.

There is no need to “race to the bottom” as you put it. Alexandria can survive with a silver plated budget instead of a gold plated one.

Best wishes for the holiday season.

Bud

Was the 3rd Grade SOL History Test Really Worth Saving?

Robert Legge

Culppeer Star Exponent

July 2, 2009

In response to a request from school superintendents seeking ways to reduce testing requirements, the State Superintendent proposed dropping the 3rd grade history and social sciences SOL test. The curriculum would still be taught but not tested under the proposal. The theory was that more emphasis needed to be placed on reading and math. 93% of students passed last year’s test that cost $380,000 to administer.

Surely the London-based SOL testing company Pearson was not happy but within days dozens of complaints came from historical parks, history advocates, and state legislators.

The superintendent reacted swiftly and withdrew the proposal. While the test comprises 4 elements- history, economics, civics, and geography, the most complaints came from history supporters.

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s Colin Campbell said “focusing on the early years of American history is critical in a democratic society”. Virginia Consortium of Social Studies Specialists’ Ken Bassett added “it’s a critical test that captures the measurement of the foundation for social studies”. Bill Obrochta of the Virginia Historical Society warned that the curriculum wouldn’t be taught “if there’s no stick at the end”. Another supporter referred to the need for “the hammer of a test”. Lovely analogies.

Let’s look at the SOL standards and one of the released tests. It’s technically for grades K-3, but the test mostly only covers grades 2-3. Grade 2 history standards are as follows: “The student will explain how the contributions of ancient China and Egypt have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, inventions, the calendar, and written language”. There is another section on American Indians. Grade 3 history standards require that students can explain the contributions and influence of Greece, Rome, and Mali and describe the accomplishments of Columbus, Cartier, Newport, etc.

Sounds pretty intimidating for 6-8-year olds. Not much American history though. OK, let’s see how we measure those rigorous standards.

Actually 4 years of history study is measured in just 10 questions, and two are about word recognition and reading comprehension and a third is more math-related. So that leaves only seven.

Question one from the most recently released test asks which of four Indian tribes lived in Virginia. Question two is about identifying Dr. King’s birthday. Three is about who used a kite in an experiment.

Four shows a graph and asks how often a president is elected. That’s the math question.

That’s it for measuring 4 years of American history study. No kidding, only 3 questions. On to ancient history.

Question 5: “Ali could see pyramids from his home. His father made papyrus”. Answer choice: Ancient Greece, China, Egypt, or Rome. Answer: Egypt. That sums up 5000 years of Egyptian history.

Questions six and seven are about reading comprehension and word recognition which I’ll skip.

Question eight: An example of Greek architecture is: arch, column, dome or terraced building? Answer: column. That covers the Greeks. Sorry ancient China and Rome, maybe they can work you in on another test.

Questions nine and ten were about the 13th century Empire of Mali’s practice of storytelling and their use of salt.

There’s 10 questions on civics, such as: What should Sam do to show he takes care of his belongings? Put away his coat or sit at his desk? Kids don’t even wear coats when they take these tests in late May but I think that’s the answer.

The economics portion deals with arcane terms like “opportunity cost” and Geography questions on whether the teacher is standing in front or behind the desk. There are tough questions about identifying France or the Indian Ocean.

If we want kids to understand and appreciate history, start with the known and work up to the unknown. Make it relevant and age appropriate. Have it start with Virginia, not Egypt or Mali.

Some test advocates said the material won’t be taught if it isn’t tested. Sounds more like it’s taught but not tested now.

Mr. Campbell. Have you read this test? Do you really think it is that critical that we continue it?

Is this typical of how the whole SOL program is run?