09.15.2006 at 10:15 am
remediation
i have spent the past couple of mornings helping some 12th graders with math. there is something in alabama called the alabama high school graduation exam. this thing is a HUGE deal. if a student cannot pass this exam (which is in 5 parts, science, math, language, reading and social studies on 5 different days) they do not graduate. PERIOD. no matter what grades they have in their classes. no matter who their momma is. PERIOD � END OF SENTENCE.
this is the second year that i have remediated seniors in their quest to pass the math portion of the grad exam. last year i had 2 girls. this year it is 3 girls and one boy.
last year both girls passed. i'm worried about this year. it is so different to teach kids math than business ed (which is what i actually teach � what i am certified to teach). but i know it is because this handful of students are so thirsty for this knowledge because they know if they don't pass this exam they don't graduate.
which is so sad. so very sad.
they will have two more chances to take it after this before graduation in may. but it would be oh-so sweet for them to pass it this time. one of the girls missed the passing score by six points. SIX FRIGGIN' POINTS!! that's gotta be disheartening.
next tuesday is math day for the grad exam. i'm proctoring it, which will be good i think � for these kids i am helping. just to see my face might help, i don't know. they have acted like this is the first time they have ever understood some of this stuff. maybe it's because i flail my arms when i talk and i get really REALLY excited when i get a problem right (because deep down i am scared they will ask me something that i have no possible clue how to do and i will look stupid, okay, there i said it).
we'll see.
xoxo
tell me i'm beautiful...
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