April 26, 2013

http://www.greatschools.org/parenting/teaching-values/645-stressed-out-kids.gs

     This article brings up the issue of stress being caused by standardized testing.  The article states that even kindergarten students are feeling the stress, not so much by the testing, but by homework inflicted on them at such an early age.  This article states that in some states, testing begins as early as first grade.  I realize the US is behind academically, but is this type of stress really the answer?  This article also states that the number of children treated for depression between 1995 and 2001 more than doubled.  What are we doing to our children (not to mention our teachers)?
     This article also talks about students taking AP courses in high school.  According to the article, more students are taking these courses and students are also taking the PSAT, SAT and ACT multiple times.  I know my daughter is currently taking her third AP course.  The work required may be more than any I have taken in a college course.  All the while she is trying to stay involved in clubs and volleyball.  All so this will look good on her college applications.  Meanwhile, she is staying up until 12 pm or 1 am in the morning trying to complete assignments and to study for tests which she is fearful she may not pass.
     I see my own students struggling to pass their grade.  They may do fine in a classroom setting, but completely panic when it comes to taking a test.  What happens if they happen to have a bad day on the day of EOG.  Should they fail because of one test?  I hope we can soon come up with a better system for both ensuring our children are meeting standards as well as helping them succeed in school.

Sunday April 14, 2013

A few weeks ago I posted about a news story I heard regarding a bill that was being introduced in South Carolina.  Although I live in North Carolina, I am less than five minutes from the South Carolina state line, therefore, any educational news from our southern state always interests me.  This bill was Senator Harvey Peeler and is called, "South Carolina Read to Succeed Act."  It's a short report, so it doesn't take long to read.  It reviews statistics from Florida and how the successful their reading on 4th grade standardized tests has improved since implementing this policy ten years ago.

http://wspa.membercenter.worldnow.com/story/21643021/bill-would-hold-back-sc-3rd-graders-not-reading-at-grade-level

April 7, 2013

http://www.strategiesforchildren.org/3research/10_TurningThePageReport.pdf

Continuing the focus on my last few posts on reading, I searched for states with high reading scores on standardized tests.  Massachusetts has continually been at the top of the list.  I found this article written by professionals in the state explaining how they have and are continuing to refocus their strategies for reading success.  The report discusses five areas for improving reading success.  One that I found interesting, is the focus on family.  In the article it is referred to as "Partnership with Families."  I think this is a great place to start for improving literacy in children.  I am always astounded when I see statistics showing the number of words  young children are exposed to in low income families, middle income families, and in professional families.  It is no wonder so many children struggle with reading.  This is why I thought  the Massachusetts report was on target.  I think if schools have an ongoing relationship with parents, not just one or two nights a year, but on a regular basis, where teachers, parents and students interact in reading activities.  These types of interactions help parents learn how to discuss books with their children.  I just think there is a lot of opportunity to educate parents on ways they can help ensure their child's success.