"Interesting Observation"

We have teaching (small group or one on one instruction) for students during the spring break. The students who miss three or more objectives on the benchmark test are required to attend this spring break teaching time. It's 4 days and I coordinate it and actually get quite a lot caught up from my own desk. I don't actually teach, I just coordinate getting the teachers to teach, the student data, etc. Today, after the morning math class, a teacher came into my office:

Teacher: I have an interesting observation. (puzzled look on teacher's face)

Me: Yes?

Teacher: I have a student who did poorly on the formatives I gave this morning but she does really well on the math fact fluency.

Me: (waiting for the interesting observation)

Me: (realizing that was IT)

Me: Why do you think that is? (trying to pull it out of him, like the skilled dentist that I am)

Teacher: I don't know! That's why I am coming to you!

Me: Is the skill on the formative the same skill on the math fact fluency probe? (I know that it is NOT the same skill)

Teacher: No.

Me: (blink, blink)

Me: (waiting.....)

Me: So what do you make of this? (pulling some more - hand me the pliers, please)

Teacher: I don't know!! That's why I am asking you!

Me: It's not the same skill. Just because she did well on one skill, doesn't mean she will do well on another skill. She needs to be re-taught the objectives - the ones you just tested her on, on the formative.

Teacher: Ohhh, yes!

Me: (Looking into dental schools)

Me: Is there some connection that you see between these two very different math skills?

Teacher: No.

Me: So are you all good?

Teacher: Yeah, I just thought it was interesting that she did well on one math skill and not the other.

Me: (Fake smile.) Well, I am glad we were able to talk about it. Have a good afternoon!


Maybe this is just a teacher thing - but wow... I was floored. Seriously?