Just a few of the OGT materials easily found on my desk
Last February I called my current supervisor at Saint Martins with an important request on my mind. If I was to volunteer at Saint Martins I wouldn't teach. I didn't feel ready to teach or qualified. He agreed. I wouldn't need to worry about that and would be helping mostly tutoring and research. Day two- Ohio Graduation Test Preparation (OGT) class begins! Welcome to the world of a volunteer.While I don't plan on becoming a teacher anytime soon, I couldn't imagine my life at Saint Martins without OGT. I continue to be stretched everyday, but I think that not only are the students learning little by little, but so are the instructors.
In six days students all over Ohio will sit down to take their Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) exit exam. For many students at Saint Martins this is a time filled with bouts of stress, anxiety, and anticipation. A lot is on the line for these students- the opportunity to take an elective versus an OGT preparation class, a high school diploma, graduation, entrance into college, respect from family and peers, increased job opportunities, the possibility of social mobility for their families, confidence to move forward with their education.
First let me start by giving a little background on the test. The test was first made a mandatory exit requirement for the class of 2007, which makes 2012 the fifth year the test has been administered. The test is composed of five subtests: 1) Reading, 2) Math, 3) Writing, 4) Social Studies, and 5) Science. Each section is a subtest and is evaluated separately. In the event of extenuating circumstances the test can substitute receiving a GED. At Saint Martins students will take the test once sophomore year, and twice junior year and senior year until all subtests are passed.
I am currently teaching an OGT preparation course to 27 sophomore students as one of my volunteer responsibilities. The students in my class range from below 6th grade to above tenth grade equivalents on each of the subtests. Each student comes to the class with completely separate needs. Teaching the class with JVC volunteer Angela and De Porres core volunteer Dan has been one of the biggest challenges of the year for all of us. Going in with little to no teaching experience and few resources was intimidating. Yet, the days where there are breakthroughs in the classroom are my most treasured memories from my volunteer experience.
As a native Pittsburgher six months ago I couldn't have even told you what the OGT test is. I realized this month that I have never felt more invested in a test before. That thought caught me off guard for I spent two years studying for the GRE, but I am way more worried about the students that I am teaching. I know because of differences in life circumstances, experiences, and support that that some of them have many restrictions in life. When talking to Angela and Dan last week we shared with each other our fears of not doing enough for these students. Yet, the good news for our class is that they still have junior year and senior year to prepare for the tests. There are still 13 seniors at Saint Martins that need to pass various subtests of the OGT next week in order to be able to walk in June.
I have seen the ramifications that different learning disabilities and lack of resources has on these students' educational progress. The students’ confidence in their abilities to academically succeed has been stifled by their low performance on these tests. Many students have openly vocalized their frustration that these tests make them want to give up on their education. I often wonder what their lives would be like if they had resources early on in life to help them realize their potentials. I feel humbled to be able to share a little bit of their struggles these last six months.
Please keep these students in your prayers the next two weeks!
Love,
Tina
Alternative Pathway for Eligibility for a Diploma:
http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=216&ContentID=23705&Content=117924
Frequently Asked Questions about Ohio Graduation Tests:
http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=216&ContentID=4904&Content=108877
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