The drive to quantify the success or failure of those involved with education based on standardized tests has reached a fever pitch. If kids score low, the thinking goes, then the children, schools and teachers are failing. As simple as that so the 'reformers' say.
We have all gone to school and I believe a fair minded person would say that there is not one determinant that can accurately define that there has been success/failure AND, if so, to determine all the reasons for failure or achieving success.
One of the greatest failures, in my mind, is the fact that we tie too much credibility and support to standardized tests. And why on earth would any sane adult, buy hook line and sinker, the notion that this one particular test is the sole or even major indicator of a child's failure or his/her success.
The failure to recognize the complexity of the education process is a serious shortcoming. And because of this complexity, too many people have sought to circumvent looking at what really determines and measures ones level of success (or failure). Instead, occasional standardized tests take the place of such introspection.
On we go...
Dick
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Who's to Blame - Second Installment
Kids failing, schools not doing well, teachers not making the grade. With so many people weighing in on these allegations it is worth noting that when someone, something fails, there are likely to be multiple causes. Yes, failure can be the fault of a person but in many cases I believe we would find that the causes are many.
That being said let me advance this. The environment that a child lives in and comes from has a real strong effect on success in school. If the home environment is not supportive, if parental guidance is lax or missing, should nutritious food be an issue, if neighborhood safety is a concern then you can be sure a seven year old will find that to be harmful.
Look at it from other side. Many families are affluent, are able to provide wonderful medical to their sons/daughters, have beautiful homes, provide tutoring to their sons/daughters, are there to give a helping hand and more. Do you think these are positive actions that would have a positive on ones performance in school? Sure they are!!!
There are plenty of environmental issues beyond the ones I alluded to but, I am convinced that most people would agree that environmental factors greatly impact the degree of success one achieves in school. That being the case, this is an area that deserves rectifying rather than merely playing some sort of blame game.
Dick
That being said let me advance this. The environment that a child lives in and comes from has a real strong effect on success in school. If the home environment is not supportive, if parental guidance is lax or missing, should nutritious food be an issue, if neighborhood safety is a concern then you can be sure a seven year old will find that to be harmful.
Look at it from other side. Many families are affluent, are able to provide wonderful medical to their sons/daughters, have beautiful homes, provide tutoring to their sons/daughters, are there to give a helping hand and more. Do you think these are positive actions that would have a positive on ones performance in school? Sure they are!!!
There are plenty of environmental issues beyond the ones I alluded to but, I am convinced that most people would agree that environmental factors greatly impact the degree of success one achieves in school. That being the case, this is an area that deserves rectifying rather than merely playing some sort of blame game.
Dick
Monday, March 10, 2014
Who's Failing?
There's plenty of rhetoric out there about failing schools, failing students and - to round things out - failing teachers. More often than not these three groups seem to be castigated for the 'alleged' failure of the American education system.
Yes, there are a good number of communities, schools, students, and families who face many hardships and have to overcome an abundance of hurdles. That very real dilemma should be a big part of the discussion about the issue of failure. Just as critical to this discussion is the very notion of failure and its many causes.
Does failure deal merely with standardized test scores for a school, subject matter or each child or does it have additional meanings? Failure has many connotations and it can thought of in a number of ways.
Allow me to interject this...if we are to examine the allegation that students, teachers and schools are failing then we had better examine a whole host of issues; such as, environmnet, expectations, the goal of education, the meaning/measure of failure and the role that society plays throughout.
Over the next few days I will be examining many of these issues and concerns.
Dick
Yes, there are a good number of communities, schools, students, and families who face many hardships and have to overcome an abundance of hurdles. That very real dilemma should be a big part of the discussion about the issue of failure. Just as critical to this discussion is the very notion of failure and its many causes.
Does failure deal merely with standardized test scores for a school, subject matter or each child or does it have additional meanings? Failure has many connotations and it can thought of in a number of ways.
Allow me to interject this...if we are to examine the allegation that students, teachers and schools are failing then we had better examine a whole host of issues; such as, environmnet, expectations, the goal of education, the meaning/measure of failure and the role that society plays throughout.
Over the next few days I will be examining many of these issues and concerns.
Dick
Friday, March 7, 2014
Need Some Adults
In a mere two weeks we will be heading to John Hay Elementary School in Chicago to do some springtime painting in various areas of the building. The colors are picked out and we are purchasing the rest of the supplies to brighten up different areas within the school.
I have plenty of high school age students but I am now in need of some adults who can do some of the work that is higher and will require the use of step ladders. So, all of you eager, energetic and volunteer-minded adults...come on out and join us on Saturday, March 22nd from 8:30 to 3:00 pm. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Just put on some work clothes, bring a smile and pack a sack lunch and you will be all set. We'll take care of the rest.
Get out of the winter blues and join us at John Hay at 1018 N. Laramie. Parking is in the back of the school and you will come in door #2.
Just shoot me an email at rich219@comcast.net to let me know you're in!!
Many thanks,
Dick
I have plenty of high school age students but I am now in need of some adults who can do some of the work that is higher and will require the use of step ladders. So, all of you eager, energetic and volunteer-minded adults...come on out and join us on Saturday, March 22nd from 8:30 to 3:00 pm. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Just put on some work clothes, bring a smile and pack a sack lunch and you will be all set. We'll take care of the rest.
Get out of the winter blues and join us at John Hay at 1018 N. Laramie. Parking is in the back of the school and you will come in door #2.
Just shoot me an email at rich219@comcast.net to let me know you're in!!
Many thanks,
Dick
Thursday, March 6, 2014
A Little ISAT Followup
Maybe the Saucedo Elementary School parents and teachers really do have it right when it comes to saying 'no' to the ISAT testing regime. To my surprise, I learned that the ISAT is but one of MANY standardized tests administered throughout the year.
Most elementary school students, starting in kindergarten take at least one other standardized exam in both reading and math TWICE a year. There are also twice-a-year tests in multiple subjects to evaluate teachers. There also quarterly Common Core benchmark tests in reading and writing. Some schools even add some other tests on their own or at the direction of CPS administration.
Enough already!!! If weeks are spent administering and preparing for standardized tests then too little time is available for significant teaching and learning. What on earth is so darn important about standardized tests as compared to getting a child to love reading or to become competent in some other area of study.
I have news for everyone (ok, maybe it really isn't news) you will not turn students on to education by giving them globs of standardized tests and that is a fact.
Dick
Most elementary school students, starting in kindergarten take at least one other standardized exam in both reading and math TWICE a year. There are also twice-a-year tests in multiple subjects to evaluate teachers. There also quarterly Common Core benchmark tests in reading and writing. Some schools even add some other tests on their own or at the direction of CPS administration.
Enough already!!! If weeks are spent administering and preparing for standardized tests then too little time is available for significant teaching and learning. What on earth is so darn important about standardized tests as compared to getting a child to love reading or to become competent in some other area of study.
I have news for everyone (ok, maybe it really isn't news) you will not turn students on to education by giving them globs of standardized tests and that is a fact.
Dick
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Painting John Hay Elementary
Yes, spring will arrive one of these days. It is always nice to see more daylight and warmer days (they are coming!). What better way to get outside and enjoy the day than by participating in some 'Springtime Sprucing Up' at John Hay Elementary School!!
We will paint some classrooms, washrooms, a faculty lounge and perhaps more on Saturday, March 22nd. We will paint from 8:30 am to roughly 3:00 pm. We will provide all the materials and plenty of drinks. Just bring your energy and passion to paint and help these fine people bring some springtime to the building. John Hay Elementary is located at 1018 N. Laramie Ave., Chicago, IL.
I have plenty of students so now I am in need of some adults who can reach some of the higher areas (it's a wonderful building but old and with high ceilings). Just bring your own lunch and we'll take care of the rest.
Let me know that you can join us by emailing me at rich219@comcast.net.
Many thanks!!
Dick
Monday, March 3, 2014
Yes, Kids Want Us
Some years ago (is it 10 already?!), when I was on a one-year leave, I put in a good deal of time to survey high school, middle school, and elementary school students on a whole host of issues. One of the questions I posed dealt with which teaching tool/resource has had the most profound impact on their learning.
I asked students to rank, in order of importance, the tool that most influenced or has had the greatest impact on their learning experience. The options included; books/media, computers/laptops (tech), field trips, homework/classwork, projects or teachers. By far, among over 1,000 students surveyed, from six states, students rated teachers as the most essential element or having the great impact on their learning.
No matter the teaching resource or device, students really do long for and understand the value and importance of one to one contact. Since students 'get it' when it comes to valuing the merits of having a great teacher then the public needs to do all we can to maximize the positive engagement between teachers and students.
Dick
I asked students to rank, in order of importance, the tool that most influenced or has had the greatest impact on their learning experience. The options included; books/media, computers/laptops (tech), field trips, homework/classwork, projects or teachers. By far, among over 1,000 students surveyed, from six states, students rated teachers as the most essential element or having the great impact on their learning.
No matter the teaching resource or device, students really do long for and understand the value and importance of one to one contact. Since students 'get it' when it comes to valuing the merits of having a great teacher then the public needs to do all we can to maximize the positive engagement between teachers and students.
Dick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
