Well, the EOCs were rather anticlimactic. Yosuke's Geometry teacher told him he would be excused from the exam because he has been in the country less than two years. He asked his English teacher about this, and she told him the same thing. He'll receive credit for both courses, so that's great.
That's assuming his teachers are right, and I have some doubts. I can't find any information about it now, but I was under the impression that only students who have been here for less than a year were exempt from standardized tests. (That was Miki's case, thankfully.) This information contradicts our previous experience. When Yosuke tried to take English I last summer, he passed the course but failed the EOC, so he didn't receive credit. Also, earlier in the school year I spoke to his current English teacher and asked her for help preparing Yosuke for the exam, and she gave me a practice test. If he was exempt, wouldn't she mention it to me? But so long as he receives credit for the classes, I guess it doesn't matter, at least for now.
What worries me, however, is that the English I EOC is required for graduation. I'm afraid he might have to take it later on, although I suppose he would have a better shot at it in a year or two than he would now. I emailed his counselor to ask about it. I'm hoping she'll reply. It's always frustrating when people ignore your emails.
Showing posts with label EOC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EOC. Show all posts
Friday, June 6, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
A High Note
While the beginning of this week was a low point for me, Thursday was a refreshing change. Both Yosuke and Miki have been in something of a slump recently; for the past two weeks or so, they've been unable to come up with answers to anything. While I can handle a bad day or two, it starts to drain me after a while.
I went prepared with a math lesson plan when I went to tutor Miki yesterday, but she had a huge homework assignment that took up all our time. She had to answer several questions related to her physics project. I cringed inwardly, thinking that teaching Miki the material and then getting her to solve the problems might as well be a fantasy. But she surprised me in her ability to work them. She wasn't perfect, of course, but her problem-solving ability was better than I've ever seen it. Either she was having a good day, or she has a knack for physics, or both. (Or maybe it was my amazing teaching ability! ...) I left feeling like we accomplished a lot.
Then I had to do some English EOC practice with Yosuke. Usually trying to get him to analyze is nerve-wracking at best, but it was actually enjoyable yesterday. He was better than usual, and he even surprised me at one point by how well he understood one of the sentences he had to analyze. (He wasn't able to answer the question correctly, however, because he didn't understand the choices very well. Alas!) He seemed like he learned a bit, too, which makes it all worth it.
This week definitely ended on a high note. This weekend, I'll plan lessons for both Miki and Yosuke so that next week won't be as stressful (hopefully).
I went prepared with a math lesson plan when I went to tutor Miki yesterday, but she had a huge homework assignment that took up all our time. She had to answer several questions related to her physics project. I cringed inwardly, thinking that teaching Miki the material and then getting her to solve the problems might as well be a fantasy. But she surprised me in her ability to work them. She wasn't perfect, of course, but her problem-solving ability was better than I've ever seen it. Either she was having a good day, or she has a knack for physics, or both. (Or maybe it was my amazing teaching ability! ...) I left feeling like we accomplished a lot.
Then I had to do some English EOC practice with Yosuke. Usually trying to get him to analyze is nerve-wracking at best, but it was actually enjoyable yesterday. He was better than usual, and he even surprised me at one point by how well he understood one of the sentences he had to analyze. (He wasn't able to answer the question correctly, however, because he didn't understand the choices very well. Alas!) He seemed like he learned a bit, too, which makes it all worth it.
This week definitely ended on a high note. This weekend, I'll plan lessons for both Miki and Yosuke so that next week won't be as stressful (hopefully).
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Upcoming EOC
As Yosuke's English EOC rapidly approaches, I feel a stronger and stronger sense of dread. I am probably more nervous than he is!
The test is in exactly one week. Yosuke still has serious problems reading and understanding both the passages and the questions. The good news is that he is allowed to use his electronic dictionary/translator to help him understand the English words. The bad news is that for some reason, he doesn't use it much. When we do practice questions, he is more likely to guess the meaning of the sentences (usually incorrectly) rather than look up unfamiliar words, even though I encourage him to check words he is unsure of.
Well, if he doesn't pass, there may be hope anyway. His school's handbook is vague on the matter, but it seems like if you do not pass the EOC the second time (and this will be his second time taking it, by the way), then the principal will make a decision about whether you receive credit. But there is no information about how lenient he is or what is involved in this appeal process - perhaps because it happens so rarely.
I continue to hope that our training and practice will help Yosuke so that it won't come to that. But truthfully, it does not seem likely that he will pass.
The test is in exactly one week. Yosuke still has serious problems reading and understanding both the passages and the questions. The good news is that he is allowed to use his electronic dictionary/translator to help him understand the English words. The bad news is that for some reason, he doesn't use it much. When we do practice questions, he is more likely to guess the meaning of the sentences (usually incorrectly) rather than look up unfamiliar words, even though I encourage him to check words he is unsure of.
Well, if he doesn't pass, there may be hope anyway. His school's handbook is vague on the matter, but it seems like if you do not pass the EOC the second time (and this will be his second time taking it, by the way), then the principal will make a decision about whether you receive credit. But there is no information about how lenient he is or what is involved in this appeal process - perhaps because it happens so rarely.
I continue to hope that our training and practice will help Yosuke so that it won't come to that. But truthfully, it does not seem likely that he will pass.
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