Thursday, March 27, 2008

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

OK, I have a confession to make, I told a third-grader not to worry about the PSSA tests. This, of course, will be a shock to the system.
The PSSAs are government-mandated tests that will be given over the next couple of weeks and schools are into an all-out push.
There have been daily letters home to parents. There was even a 'contract' sent home telling parents it was their duty to make sure there are no activities after school during the week the PSSA will be administered.
Some schools even hold pep rallies and all-day study sessions to get ready for the 'test.'
Hogwash!
In fact, I thing we'll stay up late every night and maybe even take in a movie or two.
Sure, it's probably a dumb protest, but there is enough pressure on young students these days without adding any more.
The PSSA tests are now the complete focus of the public school system. Instead of teaching to learn, teachers are teaching for the test. There is extra homework, extra time spent during class and extra pressure on the teachers, adminstrators and students.
I'm not blaming the schools. Our President has set this 'No Child Left Behind' bull. The states have no choice but to follow along, which leads to pressure on the school districts, individual schools, principals, teachers, finally, the students.
You know what they say runs downhill.
We should be giving students a reason to love learning, love going to school, instead of adding more and more onto their heads.
The biggest problem is the tests are standardized throughout the state.
Now, let's just look at the school districts in the county. There is no sane way to argue the students in the Radnor School District and the students in the Upper Darby School District get the same education.
This is not to say the teachers, at least some, don't try and that there aren't some talented teachers in both school districts. The plain truth is it's not the same education, yet they are held to the same standards.
When a third grader is walking home and believes the PSSA tests could potentially keep him out of fourth grade, that's just plain wrong.
If that's the message schools are sending, they should be held accountable.
Instead of getting all the students together to 'pump' them up for another test (really, aren't there enough regular tests throughout the year) gather them in the gym to sing or listen to some stories or ... whatever.
So, take the tests because you have no choice, but think about baseball the whole time.
Here's a quick history lesson: When I was in school there were standard tests given each year. We always thought they were very important to our advancement.
By the time we reached sixth grade, it was obvious the tests had no real meaning. So, we took the No. 2 pencils and created designs in the little circles, barely reading the test questions.
We all made it into seventh grade.

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am with you brother. My daughter is in 3rd grade at Springfield School District and she is feeling the heat from her school to do well as the PSSA. We have an older daughter who has taken these tests year after year with little or no impact to her education. In the weeks up to the tests she spends a lot of her time in class and at home studying for these tests where she could be doing real school work. Parents and kids are sick of these tests.

Helen said...

I agree with your article.
I as a parent hate the PSSA tests. My kids panic and they don't even care how they do because it does not effect them. The put to much into these tests and the reason the school districts are not doing well is because the kids don't try their best. Some of them just fill in the cirlces just to get done fast.
I tell my kids to take them but not to worry about them. It is not the kids responsibility whether the teachers are teaching what they are supposed to be. That is the school districts. I am in the Upper Darby School district and most kids could care less if they even show up on these days. Thanks for writing the article.

Anonymous said...

Get over it! Parents, teachers and the school need to know how your children are doing in comparison to other students their grade. Instead of being defensive use the results as a tool to help your child. The goal is to prepare our children and help them to become self sufficient adults.

Vince Carey said...

The point is schools are giving tests sometimes on daily basis, so they already know how each student is doing. Quick question: How does causing extra stress on 8-year olds help them become 'self-sufficiant adults?' Also, when did learning become a sporting event?