Abstract
In the local school districts, the 3rd grade students undertake the Wisconsin knowledge and concepts exams, whose main purpose is to test what these students know when it comes to key academic areas.
The exams involve testing their reading skills and math through the constructed response, which requires them to give short answers to the questions. However, most of the 3rd graders for example, in the Racine unified local schools perform poorly with most of them failing to answer the questions or filling them partially, hence the students’ performance is below average.
Introduction
The Wisconsin knowledge that is undertaken by the 3rd graders always shows their proficiency in reading skills and math and once most of the 3rd graders results turn out to be below average due to failure in the constructed response section, with Racine unified school being an example where in 2008-9 62.9% of the 3rd graders scored above proficiency placing it last among school districts, are proving to have very little skills in reading and math with an overall of70.4%in math and 62.3% in reading. Across the state 79% scored above proficiency.
In the Racine school we see that they take up a 13% population of the whole school and the average score of the whole school ranges at 77% of reading and math. With an entry level of 60% to the 3rd grade class after an end term assessment paper in 2nd grade, in reading and math.
Now that a problem as Dillon (2010) is identified, the following are some of the major problems that were established to affect the 3rd graders performance in the Wisconsin knowledge and concepts examination are stated as follows;
The education system as stated by Knudson, Shambaugh and O’day (2011) is a three legged approach, where the school, the child and the parent need to work together and it is with this we spot various problems in regard to the performance;
Causes of poor reading skills
Children play a vital role in their performance in school, lazy students who do not do their homework or practice is bound to have poor results, lack of seriousness too and naughtiness in school that diverts their attention in class. The development of the child’s brain could affect performance where if the child’s brain development is slow their rate of comprehension is challenged.
Parents who are ignorant of the quality of education may not follow up on their Children’s performance is also affected by their attitude where you find they do not like reading or doing math, this is because they have put it in their mind set, that it is hard. The 3rd grade students also view constructed responses as very hard because they generally think the Wisconsin examination is going to be hard therefore all questions will be difficult.
The school board also does play a role in the students’ performance. The board’s decision on certain issues like the recruitment of under qualified teachers, using of old curriculum systems that are outdated, the reforms in the school system are hardly implemented and hence no reforms at all.
When it comes to the budgets, the cost of the unfunded liabilities force annual programs cut which are essential to the students learning process and lastly the school boards sense of redundancy towards the school performance ignoring the students that need special attention.
The stated problems that lead to poor performance for 3rd graders need to find critical solutions in order to increase performance of the students. Reading and month need a lot of comprehension from the student and with the right support and recourses a big difference can be observed. The following are the proposed reforms required to solve the above problems.
Solutions to poor reading skills
The teachers play a vital role to the good performance of the 3rd grade students and this is will help 3rd graders to prepare for the assessment; by identifying a set of essential standards important to learn the vocabulary and math, they must guide the pupils in class engage them in reading for practice purposes following up whether they do understand. (Stanovich, 2000)
A teacher must start with a piece of text familiar to students so they can always relate to the things taught in class, when taking their exams, the periodic incorporation of constructed responses related to students interest.
The teacher should create models as many times to illustrate different ways to answer the question for example they could introduce a model paragraph and another time introduce bullets, the teacher should let students use highlights while reading constructed response passages so they can highlight important information and lastly
As observed by Wagner, Muse and Tannenbaum (2007) some encouragement could make a difference on the students the more they are encouraged, tuition and giving them extra work to do is also a good way to improve performance.
The school board is essential into helping students improve the pupils performance by first embracing reforms that work in the institution, and erasing old rules that are obsolete and un applicable to modern learning, the school board by allocating of the available recourses at hand strategically enabling the student board to maximize its utilization, they should be able to develop and deploy strong teaching habits in the institution and personnel that are dedicated in the school curriculum using data to identify effective and ineffective practices carried out by the school
The students can change their grades by themselves to perform better by engaging actively in the classroom, paying attention to their teacher, learning to answer constructed responses in class, listening and practicing what has been taught in class on constructed responses.
To improve the 3rd grade performance and see to it that they are able to tackle the constructed response in the Wisconsin knowledge and concepts examination, there are the problems stated and solutions suggested but these reforms do not come without challenges especially for the school management.
Good tutors have known that effective learning needs practice as well as specific performance feedback for success. For example, this test item that might be on a reading assessment: “which mood is in the The Heart of Darkness Novel. Use four examples as well as details from this text in supporting your answer.” This requires a student to read that passage with comprehension to understand “mood” concept and analyze the given text, he/she is supposed to choose appropriate examples, and support an argument that is logical about that particular text.
This is complex and many students find it challenging and even overwhelming 9in some cases. It is common for students to perform poorly on open-ended items of constructed-response on assessments than on multiple-choice questions. With multiple-choice questions, students have a chance of giving the right answer , even if one has no idea of the right answer. Constructed-response questions, requires a student to supply his/her own answer, otherwise known as a “prompt.”
Challenges
These challenges are the deterrents that could be faced in the process of improving the school performance and they could include: Lack of funds in the school to finance the various activities that are part of the school curriculum like library services where you find the school cannot afford to stock as expected and hence crowding and a book is shared by many students.
Restrictions by school authorities could act as a challenge toward the intention of the school to carry out reforms in bid to improve overall performance, where for example school hour restrictions could prevent the school from introducing extra curriculum activities that are needed by the poor performing students.
The parents who are non corporative to school rules in order to assist their children either due to money constrains or ignorance when asked to pay for tuition or buy certain materials for their children to use in class and decline become a big challenge to the performance of their children who require them.
3rd grade students are known to be at a stage where they are hyperactive and playful and because Wisconsin examination board are aware of this that also it is their first examination, they considered time, easy language, and paper set up when handling the 3rd graders to make it a whole lot easier.
Demoghraphics of the population
The Racine Unified School District is composed of a population which is not so well to do. The whites are the majority and are about 44.4% of the total population. They are followed by blacks who stand at 27.9%, Hispanics at 25.5%, Asians at 1.5% and lastly the American Indians at a paltry 0.5% of the total population.
Prior knowledge that one requires in order to successfully and effectively complete third grade constructed responses include the following; Listening. Students are required to listen and comprehend simple instructions. These listening abilities should go across board to encompass all the subjects that are examined.
Reading. Students should be able to comfortably read and understand simple instructions and language. They should demonstrate their ability to read what they have been taught in the beginners’ course ie in the 1st and 2nd grade.
Writing. The students should demonstrate their ability to write and calculate simple language and arithmetic. Their writing and calculation skills should allow for further expanding and development in the particular area.
Speaking. Students in this grade are supposed to have the ability to express themselves in simple language while explaining something or answering questions. They are supposed to demonstrate their ability to use simple tenses and simple expressions.
While some 3rd grade students possess strong positive attitude towards academic and other learning activities, there are those who have negative attitude towards the same. This can be attributed to several factors for example school environment, their racial background, the level of education of their parents, their family’s economic status etc.
However, the level of motivation is the greatest determinant of the perception that students have over learning and learning activities. When a student is highly motivated then it follows that they will have a positive attitude and when there is low motivation it has a subsequent negative attitude for the students. Below are some ways that can be used to motivate students so that they can foster a positive attitude towards learning;
Giving the students the chance to contribute in the running of the school. When students are given the chance to undertake some chores around the school, it fosters a sense of ownership in them thus improving their attendance and ensuring that discipline referrals drop.
Connecting learning to real life. Teachers who relate the subject being taught in the classroom to their significance in real life motivate the young learners in a great way. For instance the math’s teacher may outline the significance of mathematics in quoting a simple transaction like buying ice cream a fete which the students are well versed in.
Having a fun incentive for doing well on standardized tests. Reward based performance should be ensured but the reward should be designed in such a way that it is fun and avails great opportunities for further learning. For example, students who perform well can be taken for a fun filled outing to a zoo where they can increase their knowledge while still having fun.
Parental participation. Parents should be encouraged to take keen interest on their children’s education. Attending parents’ meetings, assisting the children in their homework etc are great motivational factors since the parents are naturally the first role models to the young learners.
Having regular contests. Students should be involved in such contests as mathematics contest, poetry, drama etc. this not only will motivate them in a great way but it will also help them improve in the specific areas.
Participation in inter schools activities. When student participate in these activities, they are able to develop their personalities at a early age. This enables the parents and the teachers to be able to define their strengths and weak areas and hence it is easier to mould and point them towards the right direction.
Tapping the immediate community. The school management or even the individual teachers may co-opt the community to chip in motivating the students. For instance, a neighbouring airline company may be asked to provide annual rides to deserving students.
Extra curricular activities. Students should be allowed to participate in such activities so that they can build on their confidence levels. During such activities they are able to make friends and relieve their tension hence motivatin them for learning.
The following are some of the characteristics that one is likely to possess as a third grade student. For each characteristic, I have tried to look into ways of accommodating the specific characteristic;
Inquisitive. Third graders have a curious personality. They want to know all that is happening around them. To accommodate this, there is need to relate the ideas they learn to their own life experiences so that to ease understanding.
Casual. During this period the students are well versed with the school surrounding and have by then made friends with other students. Teaching and learning at this stage should be concentrated to things which the students can relate to in real life.
Energetic. They are full of energy at this time. Teaching and learning should revolve around activities which will help the students in expending this energy. For example learning through singing games and interchange of activities to avoid monotony and hence a loss of concentration.
Anxious. Students in this group exhibit a great sense of anxiety. This can be attributed to the fact that they are becoming aware of their surroundings at alarming rates. To accommodate this, the teacher needs to always maintain an air of complete calm. The students need a lot of assurances and encouragement. However, the teacher should also exhibit firmness.
Great sense of individualism. It is at this stage that a student starts to appreciate themselves as individuals. It is an important stage whereby self discipline, personal hygiene and responsibility are fostered.
Talkative. During this stage the students are very vocal. Teachers should use this stage to allo the students to get involved in the process of learning. It is an important stage in a student’s development as it helps in building the personality and confidence of such student. Therefore a lot of encouragement and correction is needed.
Conclusion
To improve the 3rd grade constructed response in reading books, therefore performing better in the Wisconsin knowledge and concepts examination, it has to be a combined effort and dedication towards these students bring to them self awareness and development of the critical thinking process hence ability to express their ideas.
Reference
Dillon. S. (2010). Drives to overhaul low perform schools delayed. Retrieved from New York Times
Knudson.J, Shambaugh. L and O’day. (2011).Beyond the school: Exploring a Systematic approach to school turnaround, pp.15.
Kirby. J. R (2006).what have we learnt about reading comprehension? pp.4
Stanovich.K.E (2000). Progress in understanding reading scientific foundations and new Frontiers. New York: Guildford press.
Wagner.R.K, Muse.A.E and Tannenbaum.K.R (2007) Vocabulary instruction implications for reading comprehension. New York: Guild press