How can they be so different?

[thyme4change]

My daughter goes to a very good, but somewhat snobby charter school.  It is a definitely a "drink the Kool-Aid" type of place.  Our local public school is very highly ranked and has a really good reputation.  Now we have to make the decision on where to send my son.  I don't think he would like the charter school - it focuses on performing arts, and he isn't really into that.  But, we went and did all the paperwork to hold a spot for him, in case we change our minds.

He went into the charter school and did some mandatory testing.  He also had some testing by the public school.

One school said he was behind and needed to take remedial classes over the summer to catch up.  The other school said he was in the top 10% and would be put into their advanced/gifted classes.

What's the deal?  Is the charter school really working that far ahead of the excellent public school?  Did he have a bad test day?  Is he used to the testing of public school so he crushed it, but the charter did something else?  

Which is it?  Do I have a delayed child or an advanced child?  Can you educators help explain this to me?

[Deleted]

Apr 1, 2014 9:38:48 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

excellent public school

I was going to answer seriously, but then I saw this phrase and I knew this was an April Fools post. 

[Deleted]

ARCHIE!!! 

[thyme4change]

  No!

[thyme4change]

(And I laughed when I saw that.  I wonder if my gifted remedial son would get that joke?)

[midjd]

Is it possible he blew it on purpose because he doesn't want to go to the charter school?

[zibazinski]

My DS on purpose blew two important tests. One because he didnt want to stand up and spell in front of people so purposely misspelled words so he didn't qualify. His teacher was furious beyond words. I still cringe when I remember her anger and I'm sure he felt it the rest of the year. The other was for a math placement. He is very good in math but he didn't want three hours of math per day so he "flunked" it. That way he wouldn't be forced to be in the class. He is what he is. 

[alabamagal]

So he's a teenage boy (8th grade?).  That is almost an explanation in itself.

Could he have purposely blown the test at the charter school.  Does the public school have more hot girls than the charter?  Did he just have a bad day, or is that everyday for a teenage boy?

It could be the tests.  Can you ask to see the tests? I would start with the charter school.  It would be pretty obvious if he was tanking it.

[happyhoix]

I'm guessing it's a difference in the tests they used.

Could be that one test was primarily short essay, fill in the blank, etc while the other test was the standard fill in the blank type.

Or it could have been subject matter. My son was AP in English, math and physics. Struggled to be average in Biology - just didn't 'get' it.

Since it's a charter school that focuses on performing arts, I would guess the questions probably skewed towards more 'creative' and less hard science questions. If my son had taken a test like that he would probably have wound up in the remedial group, too.

[thyme4change]

It was math and language arts for both of them, but they are different tests.  This is going into 5th grade, and I am reasonably sure he knew the testing is only for placement, and that he wouldn't get rejected for low scores.  I told him he was guaranteed a space no matter what.  There was no test for any of the arts.

Since it's a charter school that focuses on performing arts, I would guess the questions probably skewed towards more 'creative' and less hard science questions. If my son had taken a test like that he would probably have wound up in the remedial group, too.

They weren't tested on science, but oddly enough their science program is above average - not as good as the science charters, but above most "general" schools.  The academics at the school are really good.  Plenty of kids go there even though they are not that into music.   It is a shame, because I know kids who are passionate about their instruments that are on the waiting list, meanwhile a bunch of kids are going there because it is the trendy school to go through and suffering through trumpet lessons just because their parents decided it was best academically.  

[busymom]

My DD was in private school for most of elementary. We knew eventually we were going to switch to public school, & the year we did, the public school put her in the advanced classes for both English & math. The private school used to dish out a lot of homework. The first couple of years in public school, not even close to as much. She didn't have a lot of homework again until high school, but by then she was taking AP classes to knock off some college credits.

I would go with the school that is the best fit for your child. If you have concerns about any subjects, you could always get him tested independently yourself.  However, those learning centers can be rather expensive.

[marvholly]

Could the charter school be wanting to hit you up for some $$ - ie sizable tuition payment required for taking 'remedial' summer classes?

[geenamercile]

Apr 1, 2014 11:57:43 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

I think Thyme is talking about a middle school... I think her son is in 5th grade.. I hope the "hot girls" aren't a factor yet (Says the mom of a 5th grade boy)

Ummm I have third grades who want to "Date".  Yes I have a no dating rule in my class, the 5th grade teachers I think have given up on that.

[zibazinski]

We used to say we were "going with" someone. My Dad used to say, "Where are you going?" Since none of us could remotely drive!

[midjd]

Apr 2, 2014 7:18:05 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

We used to say we were "going with" someone. My Dad used to say, "Where are you going?" Since none of us could remotely drive!

Same here (right down to the "going where?"). LOL!

[zibazinski]

Same "DAD" school.

[Lizard Queen]

Is it possible that the charter school uses harder tests as a screening tool in order to get better students, so that the school's performance is better than the average public school comprised of students with more mixed ability levels?



(sorry for the convoluted sentence--I've been reading some complicated stuff, and it's infecting my own writing)

[thyme4change]

marvholly - I have heard people say that before.  They didn't ask my daughter to participate, but that doesn't mean that they cast a wide net - maybe every person who doesn't test for "advanced." 

Lizard Queen - I'm sure the charter school does use harder tests.  They pride themselves on being academically superior.  But, in reality, they don't have to deal with anyone they don't want to deal with.  They push out people who don't "fit in."  The test wasn't an entrance exam, rather a "placement exam."  He can go there.  I think the only way he would get all the extra attention he needs is if we donate a few thousand dollars to the school.  The rumor is that parents who fiscally support are encouraged to stay, but problem children coupled with non-donating parents bring nothing to the school.