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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 10 2007 at 8:26am | IP Logged
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A couple of weeks ago I got a letter in the mail from my local school district informing me that the schools in my county had failed for more than two years in a row to meet state learning requirements in math and English. As a result, we are eligible to invoke the No Child Left Behind law, and the school board is legally bound to inform me.
I've been reading the threads lately about moms questioning their homeschooling decisions... those scare me, a little, because I tend to be disorganized and feel overwhelmed, and I know that I could easily be in the same situation at some point.
But looking at this letter, I'm thinking- if paid teachers in public schools, who have far more resources than I do, still are failing to teach the kids what they need to know, then maybe I could give myself a little slack as far as feeling inadequate. Maybe I am not doing a perfect job at home, but apparently the schools are doing no better, at least here.
Anyway, it has given me a lot to think about...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Dec 10 2007 at 8:41am | IP Logged
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Especially considering that those state requirements are not all that stringent.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: Dec 10 2007 at 9:15am | IP Logged
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Of course, even if the schools were meeting the state requirements, does that mean the kids are really learning or that they are learning to regurgitate stuff that will be on the test? Maybe the teachers just aren't working hard enough to prepare their students for the test. It's always possible that the kids may be learning more stuff that just isn't on the standardized tests that are being administered.
I'm just very leery of No Child Left Behind and how much emphasis the school systems place on standardized tests.
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 10 2007 at 10:46am | IP Logged
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In this area there is a huge emphasis on the test and test scores. Preparation for test-taking starts weeks before the actual test. I've heard, though I don't know if this is true, that many teachers are being forced to teach specifically what is one the test.
Whatever the problem is- I don't want my kids in it. Math and English are pretty basic subjects. It amazes me- when I lived in Charleston, money flowed like water in that town. Huge houses, Hummers, nannies, beach houses, boats... and yet the schools were among the worst in the nation. I thought here in NC the schools might be better, but in my county they are not- although I'm sure some are better than others.
School sure isn't the same as it was when I was a kid.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Waverley
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| Posted: Dec 10 2007 at 2:19pm | IP Logged
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My first reaction to your post was deep sadness for the children who are in those schools whose parents don't have the ability (for whatever reason) to teach their children at home and who are "stuck" in underperforming schools.
I ask you all to say a prayer for those families that their children will hopefully soon be receiving the resources they need.
It reminds me again of the blessing and privilege to be able to instruct my children.
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Rachel May
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One thing to consider is who all is included in the test group. Some places were making too many allowances for special needs kids and so were forced to add them to the general test group when they had previously been tested and reported separately. If you have lots of ESL children in your district, that may effect the scores too. There's lots of statistics nuances that I know I don't understand well. Freakanomics had a very interesting chapter on it.
I like the fact that we standardized test our own kids even though it was nerve wracking for me. Generally I feel like the kids love learning, are enthusiastic about what we teach/learn, and I know if they are doing their best work. The standardized test gave me a picture of where I was least organized as a teacher because I could see from the results what I hadn't taught thoroughly vs what our curriculum doesn't include yet. Then I could plan the next year keeping those things in mind. I feel like last year's test results helped me organize better and differently this year. Just thoughts....
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Letter in the mail
