For the penultimate week of school I covered a special ed. health and biology class.
(Yes, the last day of school was yesterday. I write all my posts for the week at once, so you're always reading about what I did last week.)
As they had finals the following week, they spent the week I was with them working on a "study guide".
The teacher and instructional aide (IA) had honed this study guide over several finals that they'd given their classes. (The IA was with me for the entire week, so basically she did all the "work" and I sat around and looked "official".) The IA explained what they were doing to me.
Each student was given the actual final along with the "study guide". While in class (they weren't allowed to take it out of the room) they were to look up where to find each answer in the book (the final was open book) and note down what chapter, what page, what paragraph, and what sentence each answer could could be found in. (They were given what chapter.)
Easy, right? But remember, this was a special ed. class. It took some of them all week. Although, to be fair, it took all week for the students who spent most of their time staring at walls rather than looking for the answers for their final.
Deep sigh.
And the IA told me that even with this help, no student gets 100% on their finals.
Ah well, it turned out to be an easy week for me. (Even with Asia in one of the periods.)
It does seem like nice accommodations for those that need the extra help. Interesting why no one aces the finals then. Any theories?
ReplyDeletebetty
It does give them a better chance though. I imagine if that was done for the regular classes, most of them wouldn't get a hundred percent either.
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI think it says that even with all the help in the world given to them some of them just can't get it done. Hope you are going to enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeleteIn many cases they're doing the best they can. In others... Well, some of them were on sub behavior.
DeleteWell, there are probably a lot of learning disabilities in that class. They might need all that time because they just can't focus. Or who knows what.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of sad, even with all that help and support given, it's not enough. There are some real struggles in a class of students like that.
ReplyDeleteThere are. And we helped them when they asked for it. Some of them also need to learn to ask for help.
DeleteSad that many still won't achieve success, but think what a thrill for the students who do and their parents!
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for these kids but I bet they are happy that school is done....same with you
ReplyDeleteNo need to feel bad for the kiddos. Many are getting just the help they need.
DeleteDo you ever just wonder where some of these kids end up in life? I am afraid I would...
ReplyDeleteSome will find their spot, their tribes. In some cases, they're into art or sport or something that'll give them something to work towards.
DeleteGlad you had an easy week!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was nice.
DeleteI also (as the sister in law of an autistic man in his 50's) wonder where some of these young people will end up in life, once they "age out" of the school system and its supports. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteIt's a good question, but I don't have an answer for you. Perhaps I'll run into some of them someday in the future. Likely not, though.
DeleteLast day of school was Tuesday. Next week starts Summer Cleaning for the Environmental Service Associates (aka custodians). Gonna be a long, hot couple months.
ReplyDeleteMy girls' last (half) day will be this coming Thursday. I'm not exactly jumping up and down, but they are excited.
ReplyDeleteThat final sounds like torture for both the students and you. How incredibly dull!
If nothing else, it sounds like it was a relatively quiet week, all in all.
ReplyDeleteIt was. Mostly. I probably could come up with a couple more blog posts about them, but with end of year stuff, I edited it out.
DeleteWell, hopefully they get there in the end. Sounds like they're given as much help as is reasonable. Enjoy your summer!
ReplyDelete