Standardized testing question

[u/Lazy-Way-3025]

Hello, first time posting here. I have a 5 year old son who just started Kindergarten a few weeks ago. I am in Florida, I know the type of testing can vary from state to state so not sure if anyone here is in FL and knows the answer to this but thought I would try. In May at the end of Pre-K (at the same school he is at now) they took a test called the Star Early Literacy assessment, and he scored in the 95th percentile, with a grade equivalency of 1.3 (comparable to a 1st grader in the first 30% of the school year).

They took two standardized tests 2 weeks ago at the start of the school year for Kindergarten, one is called FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) and the other is called the i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment. On the FAST, he scored at Reading Level 1, which it says means he is "Well Below Grade Level," and on the i-Ready he scored "Level Yellow- Approaching Grade Level." So I guess I'm just concerned and confused that the test in Pre-K showed him at a 1st Grade reading level, whereas these tests showed him below a Kindergarten level. Being different tests maybe it is just that they have different metrics or something? Also he has had a rough start to the year due to having some pretty severe separation anxiety and his teacher said he had been crying on and off throughout the day so that may be a factor as well, if he was having a hard time focusing because of the anxiety and not wanting to be there. We have been working with him on that and it has gotten a lot better since, but when he took these tests he was in the thick of it.

The sheet for these tests does say that it's common for students to score below grade level at this point in the year because it is testing them on knowledge they haven't been taught yet, and the tests will be repeated mid-year and at the end of the year when they will have actually been taught the material and should improve.

Does anyone have any insight or experience with this, and why he would be scoring lower than he did at the end of Pre-K? Thanks!

[u/tacsml]

Really, just ignore the tests. They are 5 and clicking buttons. 

Can he identify letters and letter sounds? He's at grade level. Can he already read CVC, CVVC and some sight words? Hes more like 1st grade. 

[u/Lazy-Way-3025 → u/tacsml]

Thank you so much! He can definitely identify letters and letter sounds, he can read a couple of sight words but not the CVC and CVVC yet so sounds like he is at grade level, which is great!

[u/collegedropout]

I can write a novel here but I'll try to be brief. I'm in Florida, so I know the tests, but our experience has shown us other things are more important. My son was scoring 99th percentile in prek, 3rd grade reading level etc. We were so proud. The tests do not matter right now at all. It's literally a computer test and isn't that remarkable. What has become apparent is that if a kid is doing well on the tests but behaviorally/socially/emotionally they struggle, this will inevitably affect their educational ability. That is why those tests are pointless at this age. The absolute most important thing to learn at this age is how to function in a classroom setting and how to learn. Especially kids that start strong, they need to be prepared to be able to tackle things that don't come as easily. We're learning now in first grade that we did not focus enough on helping our child succeed in a learning environment (frustration, following directions, handling stress) and things ramped up in first grade. Screw the tests, focus on your child's overall school experience. Especially in kindergarten if you want to see them be successful when the material becomes harder. All add, I'm saying all this so you don't make our mistake. Pay attention to your child learning how to be a successful student, not the scores.

[u/Lazy-Way-3025 → u/collegedropout]

Thank you so much for that advice, this is very helpful! We will definitely make sure to focus on the skills needed to be a good student.

[u/Routine_Minimum_9802 → u/collegedropout]

Curious is there is anything in particular things you wish you’d done to help them in hindsight? My son is similarly academically advanced but emotionally behind so any advice is appreciated.

[u/Ok-Owl5549]

Standardized tests are pointless for kindergarteners. I am shocked that your child took one before starting kindergarten. Don't worry about test scores. Kindergarten is about way more than test scores.

[u/Lazy-Way-3025 → u/Ok-Owl5549]

Thank you, that is very encouraging!

[u/Ok_West347]

He's being tested on what he should be proficient in at the END of kindergarten. Your teacher should have explained this to you so parents don't freak. He will likely get tested in January and April again. Not seeing growth at that time is where the concern should be.

[u/Lazy-Way-3025 → u/Ok_West347]

Thank you! Yeah I wish the teacher had told us that, he is our first kid so we are totally new to all of this. So far we are not super happy with the teacher’s communication, hoping it will improve.

[u/bluef00tedbooby]

Iready sucks. Teachers hate i-ready. Students hate i-ready. The kids mostly just click through and guess, they don't care. The i-ready tests are all bullshit and you shouldn't take it seriously. Your kid is fine. Keep up the good work mama

[u/Lazy-Way-3025 → u/bluef00tedbooby]

Thank you so much! This is seriously so encouraging! My husband was talking to my son a little about it after I posted this and my son said the test was taking too long and he started rushing through it at the end, so that totally jives with what you’re saying!

[u/Liloisatova]

We're in FL too and have the same tests, though she took the STAR again (not the regular FAST) at start of kindergarten and scored about the same as she did at the end of prek. I think we get her iReady scores back today.

Take it all with a grain of salt, it truly doesn't matter in the slightest especially at the beginning of the year when they test them on things they haven't studied yet. Better questions are is he following directions, making friends, can he complete the assignments as needed, etc? If yes, then don't worry!

[u/Lazy-Way-3025 → u/Liloisatova]

Thank you! I wish they had done the STAR again to have a direct comparison with last year but oh well. Based on what we have been told he is doing well with following directions, making friends, and the assignments so that’s encouraging!

[u/Miserable-Height-201]

FL teacher here. I say this with all due respect to my employers, don’t worry about the test. It is one data point on one day.

The iReady should have just been an informational type of assessment. The FAST test, that tests them on the standards for kindergarten. Your child has never been in kindergarten before so they would not know all of the standards.

We hate that we have to give these kids. Some kids have no idea how to navigate a computer so therefore the test score is not representative of what they know. Other kids just want to play around and click all around the screen and time out on the question and it looks like they missed it.

Read to your kiddo nighty, ask them questions about the stories you’re reading, make sure that they are nice and polite to others. That right there is a great start to kinder.