Rick Wormeli noted that there is a 30 point variance in VAM. So a teacher who might be a 50 could also be an 80 or a 20.
Rick Wormeli noted that there is a 30 point variance in VAM. So a teacher who might be a 50 could also be an 80 or a 20.
mattrenwick.com
mattrenwick.com
There was some research conducting recently, by Dr. Gay Ivey out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, that tried to determine the circumstances that would encourage students to think more deeply about the text they were reading. Do you know what benefited the most? Few requirements, high interest texts, and lots of fiction. This flies in the face of what the Common Core asks of students today. But then again, the Common Core was never evidence-based to begin with.
This is not to suggest that the Common Core State Standards are not helpful. They are, but only when treated as guideposts and not as gospel. We should challenge our students to become better readers. But it doesn't come through simply offering more challenging texts. It comes through an excellent teacher's thoughtful lesson planning that includes an understanding of what students are interested in and want to know more about regarding a topic. Once we have their hearts, their minds will follow.