School Age Kids
Do you have questions, thoughts or concerns about your child's education? This is a place to vent about your kids and school, ask questions about what they should be learning or vent about teachers. From kids preschool through high school, we can talk about it all!
48 Members
Club type:
Common Interest
Leader:
charmedmommy
Created:
Sep 17, 2009
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I'm so Mad about a New Testing Program!
I just found out that my child's math class has a new program for testing kids.
I guess they let the kids "go at their own pace" when it comes to some testing but I don't think I agree with the way they do it. My daughter was taking a test when another girl came by and bothered her by waving her hands under my daughter's face like she was blocking her from seeing the test paper. Then the girl came back later and waved her folder in front of my daughter's face.
I went to the teacher and asked why this was happening during a testing period and why nothing was done!? I guess the teacher didn't see it but because some of the kids are ahead of others, they divide the class (but all in the same room) so that kids who are ready to move ahead and be tested on a section can do the test while other kids who aen't ready can work on other things and that's what this girl was supposed to be doing. The teacher said they are doing it this way so that the kids who are "ahead" don't have to wait on the other kids.
WTH? I mean, really? That seems so stupid to me to split up a class. I remember in my day, when you had a test, the WHOLE CLASS had a test. If you were done early you got out a book to read or worked quietly at your desk.
I don't think I like this new "program" that they instituted. It seems a little chaotic to me to have kids up and down doing other things in the classroom while others are trying to take a test. I'm not just saying that because it's my daughter was disrupted, it seems disrupting for any kid. The teacher's suggestion to my daughter was that if it happened again she could go to a "cubby" to take her test so that no one would distract her. To me that sounds like a punishment for the person who is taking the test!
I'm so steamed over this! I can't wait for parent - teacher conferences so I can get this all out in the open.
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4 Comments
I do think it's a good idea to let kids test out of a section and move forward. When there were twenty kids in a class it was easier to keep everyone at the same pace, but these days there are so many kids, it really is sink or swim.
I think it's just as damaging to a child who is ahead to be bored waiting for others to catch up as it is to force a child who isn't ready to take a test he's going to fail.
The bigger issue is the testing conditions. The teacher needs to find a way to move kids taking a test to better conditions, maybe the library or off with a teacher's aide. Some place where they can concentrate. While I was typing this, my husband was behind me goofing around with the printer behind my desk. It made me crazy! I can't imagine taking a test while that was going on.
Playing devil's advocate here, maybe learning to test in the middle of chaos is a good skill set to have! I sure could use it. LOL
I too am okay with some kids testing earlier than others, but why on earth would that teacher let the kids that aren't taking the test roam freely? That truly does not make sense. Another sign of teachers being overworked with classes that are too big, perhaps. (Although I know that's more of an issue here in California than many other places so not sure if that's the problem where you are.) She doesn't have good control of her class if she didn't see the girl do this. Perhaps your asking her why this happened will help her understand that she needs to take a different approach. Good luck.
Patti
SAHM in SoCal and administrator of the Sleep Forum group, http://www.mothersclick.com/group/sleep-forum and Tri-Counties Moms, http://www.mothersclick.com/moms-club/tri-counties-moms-sb-ventura-slo-c...
Patti,
It is not fair to the teacher to assume that she did not have good control of the class just because this girl did this. Imagine trying to watch 26 children every minute, while the mischievious ones are waiting for that second when you have to blink or turn your head. This is a game and a great challenge to some and I bet this is the case with this little girl. Teachers will be more receptive to examine this situation if the concern is presented in a non-judgmental manner.
With that said, I do think it would be productive and helpful for the teacher to know what was happening when the girl was able to do this. That way the teacher can be more vigilant during such diversions. The teacher might need to reorganize something. Perhaps the mischief maker has to pass this area to sharpen her pencil and is using this as an excuse or maybe the trash can needs to be relocated. I can only speculate, but I am sure that Charmed's daughter could not only explain what was going on, but also give excellent ideas on how to prevent it from happening again.
Teachers are so used to receiving negative feedback from parents while being pressured by the administration to improve test scores that many of the really innovative and motivated educators either give up or find the path of least resistance. With the recent strains on the economy many school systems were forced to leave positions vacant, lay off teachers, or have teachers take unpaid furlough days. Teachers also typically return an average of $300-$500 of their salaries each year to their classrooms and their students. Most teachers become educators for the love of the job, not the salary or power they weild.
As parents we need to seek out ways to hold onto the really good teachers by building them up in rough times and provide confirmation that they are appreciated. My students, their parents, and teaching assistants have told me that I am a pretty good teacher. To give myself a boost on rough days I had a special box on my desk that contained supportive notes and cards from parents, students, and other teachers. These notes have encouraged me through some really rocky No Child Left Behind issues (trust me teachers do not like standardized testing any more than you do). I now have them in a special scrapbook, thanks to my assistant and a great volunteer who worked with my class a few years ago to give me such a thoughtful and cherished gift. To me a positive note to add to my book is the greatest gift I can receive.
Kali J
Parents are their childrens' first and best educators. Read with your child to open a world of opportunities and provide a foundation and lust for life long adventures in learning.
Charmed,
As a teacher who uses what seems like a similar program I thought you might like some insider info.
First, I do wonder what the teacher was doing that she did not see 2 distractions like this. It is possible, but as the teacher in the room I would want to know what I was missing and would probably ask your daughter where I was/what I was doing. Teachers are so used to parents finding fault with them that you need to handle this delicately if you decide to ask about this. Saying something like, "Hey I thought about it and I can only imagine how difficult it must be to keep 1 set of eyes on 26 students at all times, especially when there are those just waiting to find an opportunity for mischief when you look away. I thought it might help if you knew more about what else was happening during the time that this took place, so that proactive measures might be used to alleviate opportunities for off task behaviors that interfere with the entire class' achievement and motivation.
Second, the distraction factor is an individual issue. Although I know it is hard to believe research has shown that louder, more active classrooms normally have higher performing students when compared with quiet sit in your seat and do your work classes. I would not be as concerned about what appears to be chaos on the outside, as long as the students all knew what was expected of them and progress was being made.
I have 2 views on the cubbie suggestion, so hear me out first:
Although it sounds like a punishment for your daughter to go to a cubby she is actually learning management skills this way. There are many times in life when I am distracted and I have had to teach myself how to deal with it, I am sure that you have been in the same boat. I would give my right arm for a cubby when the kids come in from school and I am on the phone or reading. I simply cannot focus with their noise. I wish that I had been taught to filter the noise. Indirectly your daughter will pick this up with tools like the cubbies. I directly teach learning management skills and although many students do not have ADHD I have found that the suggestions provided on ADHD web sites for filtering distractions are also very helpful for students who just need help in this area. You can work with her on this at home.
With that said, I have to say that going to the cubbie is not going to help with intentional distractions like this. As a mother I know that my first suggestion is initially going to ruffle feathers, but hear me out again. I do not know how your daughter responded to this girl's attention seeking behaviors, but I would suspect that the girl did receive some type of attention from your daughter. The absolute best way to put an end to this is for your daugther to become unresponsive, as if the other girl is invisible whenever she does this. Make no eye contact, no verbal or non-verbal interactions at all. Your daughter should just keep working even if she has to start writing on a piece of paper for a little while. The first couple of times the girl will increase the behaviors to try to gain the attention. No matter what your daughter should not give the girl attention. When the girl does not get what she wants she will move on. Depending on her age your daughter may need to practice this with you.
The best example I have for this is my son who just had to bother me whenever I went into the bathroom. He thought it was hilarious to interrupt me and announce it to the world. I intially raised heck, but then I just fell totally silent. Of course it annoyed him and he banged on the door and messed with the volume of the radio thinking I would come out, which I did not. He eventually became bored with the non-productive activity and no longer interrupted me.
You know the dynamics involved, so if you think this will work give it a try and let me know how it turns out. If not or if she tries it and it doesn't work well let me know. I have other solutions in my tool box.
Now as for the math program....
Is the math program all online or does the teacher work with one group while the other is testing? The program that I prefer to use is all online and provides me with prompts to give students 1 to 1 instruction when a student seems to be stuck. The students loved it because they could work at their own pace and did not become bored when 1 or 2 students lagged behind. I could also individualize homework and students could work on lessons and practice tests at home. The students made significant gains with this program with highly motivated students mastering up to 2 years of content. Once we established a routine using computer based instruction worked so much better than the traditional programs.
The online program that I used did not break the class in half, but was individualized so I am questioning if this is the same program or a similar program. Do you know what it is called? I am certain that the teacher can reset the testing program and extend time. I am part of the group that reviews and chooses curriculum materials, so I have seen and piloted more than my fair share of math and other programs.
Finally, I don't know what your day looks like, but it sounds like a parent volunteer would be appreciated during this time. Volunteers were my favorite parents. I appreciated that they took the time out of their day to help all of the children and make my life a little easier. The other benefit is that the children typically do not pick on the volunteer's children, especially if the volunteer brings small treats when she visits. One year when I taught 6,7, & 8 grade study and test taking skills my volunteer came and gave the unmotivated young men in my class a serious talk about their lack of effort. I thought for sure they would want nothing further to do with her, but just the opposite happened. One of the boys asked if they could have poster board to make a progress chart she could see when she came back the next time. The boys were using tools that we learned the first month to track and manage their own progress - and of course to brag about that progress, but I didn't mind. I bet you would make a super volunteer. I am sure your daughter would like having you there, even if you could only arrange 1 hour per month this would be an effort on your part that would make a huge impact. If you simply can't do this perhaps another family member could. My oldest son has played chaperone for my daughter's class on field trips and was even convinced to come in on a monthly basis to read to her kindergarten class. He loved it and the little boys all clamored to be in his group. When all else fails you could send cookies with your daughter and a note to the class saying the cookies are a reward for working so hard.
Let me know if I can help out further. I would really like to know what the math program is.
Take care!
Kali
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Kali J
Parents are their childrens' first and best educators. Read with your child to open a world of opportunities and provide a foundation and lust for life long adventures in learning.