Math TAKS Tutor

Just wanted to throw out there that my understanding is that they cannot hold her back for failing the TAKS test. They tell you that, but as the parent you can insist that she move on to the next grade and they have to let her.

I've never researched this to make sure, but have heard this from several parents. She may very well pass the TAKS test math portion the next time and it will be a non issue. Good luck! What an awful feeling for her. Nothing like the school making a student feel stupid. The brightest of bright can fail a test and so can a struggling student.

You have got to be kidding! The school failed to teach your daughter enough that she does not show a years worth of progress in Math and you have to hire a tutor so that she can be promoted? If she passed the class with a B, the B was a lie. The school is responsible for teaching her, and if they want her to pass the TAKS (she should really only have one shot at it-this is a measure of the SCHOOL, not the student) then they should pay for it.

Here is one strategy. Write a letter to the school's special education department and demand an evaluation for a learning disablity in math, since, obviously, she did not really learn the way that they teach, her B is a sham, and she did not make one full year of progress, something they are responsible for. Say that your daughter should not be held back due to their failure. In your letter, note that you would settle for compesatory tutoring, at the districts expense, such that she learns the matieral necessary to pass the TAKS and be promoted to 8th grade.

I would also file a complaint with the department of education. They might be interested to know that your daughter will get two more chances to take the state assessment.

M.

Hi M.,

I have the perfect solution for you! My friend, Stephanie Ashely, owns a business called ClubZ! In-Home Tutoring Services, which serves the Flower Mound area. It is very affordable and is customized to your child's learning style.

Call her at ###-###-####.

Her website is www.clubztutoring.com

Good luck!

M. Curtin

Hi M., My friend, a former Elem. school teacher, specializes in Math tutoring - and especially surrounding the TAKS/5th graders with Grapevine Colleyville ISD. If interested in connecting with her, let me know. She lives in Grapevine but know she is in Flower Mound most afternoons for something for her daughter.

Go to ALEKSmath. Google it. It has tests that will show you where her strengths and weaknesses are. YOu can get a free trial. My kids love it and they are in 6th and 3rd. We use it as a supplement or computer time after their work is done, I homeschool. Its' $20 a month after your trial.
She may also have some test anxiety. Start building up her confidence. Tell her you know she will do her best. My 12 year old has huge test anxiety. She scored very low on the CAT 5 but she does very well on her work when I am not testing her. In fact she loves to correct my mistakes.
You might try the high school too. I know both my girls in HS would jump at the chance to do something other than AP Calculus, and that test is over so they won't be doing anything pretty much for the rest of the year. It's a national test. YOur high school kids have already taken that one too.

Ask her school if they know of any tutors in your area. I used to tutor elementary students for TAKS and noticed there were lots of different reasons students had not passed. One of them was that the child needed more breaks than the tests allows.Especially the 3rd graders. The testing is very long.

Some children freeze up during testing. Especially if she did not do well on the original exam. This can cause anxiety, because she now really knows how important this test is. It can be a very stressful experience for some children.

The TAKS math portion is mostly word problems. Encourage your child to first "just do her best" and second for each problem, read the answer choices first , then go back and read the question. (obviously 1 problem at a time) This way she will know what they are looking for. Also if she is a struggling reader, encourage her to use a piece of paper to "guide her reading." This will help her focus on each sentence.

Did they tell you what types of math problems she missed? Did they evaluate the test she failed and explain the concepts your daughter needs to work on? Just missing a few on one or 2 concepts can cause her to fail. I hate this test for students that tend to be anxious. There are ways for her to be given the test with special circumstances.. If she needs more breaks, needs to be able to stand for part of the test.. etc..

I would start with the school guidance counselor. They know a lot of current and former teachers who tutor on the side. I've used tutors and one of the best we had was a teacher out on maternity leave. Every reference for tutors came from the current school guidance counselor.

I have an A honors student in high school and she gets so nervous about this test. I think TOO much emphasis is put on TAKS.

Your daughter might need to test in a smaller group or one on one where she can get breaks when needed to keep her relaxed and on task.

Good luck.