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Location: Gainesville, TX | http://www.texasobserver.org/walter-stroup-standardized-testing-pea... |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | It's gotten worse since then. My niece, in kindergarten in public school, went 6 weeks without classroom reading instruction or having any books sent home because the teacher was too busy testing them. In a 7 hour school day, there wasn't time for reading. In kindergarten. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't get me started on what's being done to kids with IEPs on file. |
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 I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | The only people who can change this don't want to. They are too busy filling their pockets with dirty money promoting these stupid tests. I was elated to see Texas dump Pearson, but they hired another group to come up with tests. Teaching in this environment is horrible and it's horrible for the kids. I have 5 more years and I am counting them down. It's pathetic. |
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | Just curious, from a teachers standpoint, what should a parent do? Private school, home school, or is there a way to help change things in your district? |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| I am a veteran teacher of 18 years. Going to the district won't do any good. These tests are all state and federally mandated. The new common core tests are far better than the previous. |
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Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | I would like to homeschool personally and have even thought about opening up my own. |
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 To the Left
Posts: 1865
Location: Florida | People are listening, just to the wrong sources. Money is the only language they seem to understand, kids are just a byproduct to greed.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | No doubt it is about big money |
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| Not sure if you have them in your area but there are charter schools. They have their advantages and disadvantages. Less government involvement, but less funding to. You have to play the game to get funding, that's how it works. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | FLITASTIC - 2015-05-26 8:36 AM Not sure if you have them in your area but there are charter schools. They have their advantages and disadvantages. Less government involvement, but less funding to. You have to play the game to get funding, that's how it works.
It's my understanding that charter schools are not locally controlled. Who has the control there? |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I have already told my dughter that I will pay for my new grandsons private education to keep him out of public shools. My kids went to private through 9th grade than a public high school. It was a decent school, I have friends who still have kids there and I am so glad mine are out. It is amazing in these last few years how much has changed becuse of the new curriculums and everything having to be PC. I now live in Sealy in our school board just voted that kids can still graduate if they fail the standized exit test if their grades are decent. |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system.
That's part of why my nephew was pulled out to homeschool in first grade. He is special needs with an IEP (which was not being honored and the school refused to modify as needed) and was "meeting some of the standards part of the time"... that was deemed acceptable by the school administration. He's a very bright little boy, he just needed more specialized instruction than what the school was willing or able to provide (good sized public school and they had no dyslexia program? Really?). The common core crap where everyone is doing the same thing at the same time DOES NOT WORK if your kid can't fit themselves into that little box. And that goes for kids at both ends of the learning spectrum. |
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Expert
Posts: 5290
| Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-26 7:19 AM
BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system.
That's part of why my nephew was pulled out to homeschool in first grade. He is special needs with an IEP (which was not being honored and the school refused to modify as needed) and was "meeting some of the standards part of the time"... that was deemed acceptable by the school administration. He's a very bright little boy, he just needed more specialized instruction than what the school was willing or able to provide (good sized public school and they had no dyslexia program? Really?). The common core crap where everyone is doing the same thing at the same time DOES NOT WORK if your kid can't fit themselves into that little box. And that goes for kids at both ends of the learning spectrum.
IEP's are serious business! If your child's IEP was not being honored each individual teacher who refused to honor it can and should be sued ! We have huge IEP meetings every fall when school starts, we have to sign legal docs that we know what the modifications are and that we will follow them. I would go after whomever is not following the rules. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system.
I agree 100%. My son's high school career was less than stellar, bight kid but lazy, we would yell and punish, grades would come up to A's, we back off, grades go back down. I went to talk to the counselor, are there any resouces available, principal scaring him, motivating him, I don't care what, here is what we are doing on our end, any help or sugesstions for him? She pulls up his grades, sees all the codes and 0's for missed work, scores high on tests,etc looks at me and saids "he is ending up with a C average and I know most parents are not happy with that but he is doing great and parents need to learn to accept their kids". I went straight to the principals office to complain, you have a parent asking for help and they blow you off.
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Location: Montana | rodeomom3 - 2015-05-26 6:58 AM I have already told my dughter that I will pay for my new grandsons private education to keep him out of public shools. My kids went to private through 9th grade than a public high school. It was a decent school, I have friends who still have kids there and I am so glad mine are out. It is amazing in these last few years how much has changed becuse of the new curriculums and everything having to be PC. I now live in Sealy in our school board just voted that kids can still graduate if they fail the standized exit test if their grades are decent.
I told my daughter and son the same thing when my grandsons were born. You couldnt pay me to put a child in public school. |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | My sons school stopped the parent teacher meetings! Now every parent sits in a room with the teacher all at once and she explains how to read the results and thats it. No more one on one to let the parent know how the child is performing! We take multiple tests during the school year not just one!! |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | FLITASTIC - 2015-05-26 9:43 AM Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-26 7:19 AM BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system. That's part of why my nephew was pulled out to homeschool in first grade. He is special needs with an IEP (which was not being honored and the school refused to modify as needed) and was "meeting some of the standards part of the time"... that was deemed acceptable by the school administration. He's a very bright little boy, he just needed more specialized instruction than what the school was willing or able to provide (good sized public school and they had no dyslexia program? Really?). The common core crap where everyone is doing the same thing at the same time DOES NOT WORK if your kid can't fit themselves into that little box. And that goes for kids at both ends of the learning spectrum. IEP's are serious business! If your child's IEP was not being honored each individual teacher who refused to honor it can and should be sued ! We have huge IEP meetings every fall when school starts, we have to sign legal docs that we know what the modifications are and that we will follow them. I would go after whomever is not following the rules.
They went in with an advocate provided by some organization, but that didn't get them anywhere either, aside from ambushed and berated by the principal afterwards. How dare they rock the boat and say bad things about the school! They even stalked my sister's non-public FB posts (she had to unfriend some people who were ratting her out), printed them off, and tried to use them against her in an attempt to bully her into being quiet. My sister and BIL decided not to pursue legal action due to the stress it would cause and possible implications for their younger child, and instead removed the child from the situation. He's thriving now--they have some awesome therapists and homeschool resources where she lives. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| My kids went to public schools. They did fine. But, they would tell me what they were learning in history and I would lose it. They still laugh at my lectures, but to prove me wrong they would research, only to find out they were being lied to at school. It is also the parents job to help their child learn. My daughter decided in Jr. High she didn't need to do her homework because she always aced the tests. Well, we had a come to Jesus meeting, she and I. I told her I would go to school with her everyday, go to ALL her classes and sit RIGHT BESIDE her in class and at lunch so I would know what her assignments were so I could make sure she did them and turned them in. She knew I was ornery enough to do it. Thank the Lord I didn't have to. I feel like at some point the kid has to be responsible for themselves. At 12 years of age, I felt like she had been in school long enough to know the drill. I accepted no excuses for laziness. She was responsible enough to not forget playdates, heifer shows and horse shows, so I figured she could certainly remember homework dates, too. In high school we did have some problems with prejudiced teachers, but it wasn't because she was not doing her work or disrespecting the teacher.
My daughter didn't have any disabilities, though.
Edited by GLP 2015-05-26 11:04 AM
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 Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | As a teacher and parent, I will be opting my boys out of the test!! I think that's the only way the state will listen....if parents come together and opt their kids as well!! |
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Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | Barnmom - 2015-05-25 10:25 PM Just curious, from a teachers standpoint, what should a parent do? Private school, home school, or is there a way to help change things in your district?
Opt your child out of the test! |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | GLP - 2015-05-26 10:01 AM
My kids went to public schools. They did fine. But, they would tell me what they were learning in history and I would lose it. They still laugh at my lectures, but to prove me wrong they would research, only to find out they were being lied to at school. It is also the parents job to help their child learn. My daughter decided in Jr. High she didn't need to do her homework because she always aced the tests. Well, we had a come to Jesus meeting, she and I. I told her I would go to school with her everyday, go to ALL her classes and sit RIGHT BESIDE her in class and at lunch so I would know what her assignments were so I could make sure she did them and turned them in. She knew I was ornery enough to do it. Thank the Lord I didn't have to. I feel like at some point the kid has to be responsible for themselves. At 12 years of age, I felt like she had been in school long enough to know the drill. I accepted no excuses for laziness. She was responsible enough to not forget playdates, heifer shows and horse shows, so I figured she could certainly remember homework dates, too. In high school we did have some problems with prejudiced teachers, but it wasn't because she was not doing her work or disrespecting the teacher.
My daughter didn't have any disabilities, though.
I love your post!!!
and feel the same way. My oldest is going to be in 1st next year and they are in a 1 room school house with several different ages and grades. So far he is doing great, but I love to correct him in his history lessons (not that he has too many this young), but he is going to get the good, the bad and the ugly. I also threaten the same thing with my kids about going to school with them in need be.  |
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| I am finishing up my 30th year of teaching. For the past 30 years I have served a wide range of special needs children. I plan to keep serving them for at least another ten years. It is shameful that even these children must take meaningless tests that cost millions. My job is to prepare these children for life, NOT a test. |
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 Semper Fi
Location: North Texas | Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-26 8:47 AM
FLITASTIC - 2015-05-26 8:36 AM Not sure if you have them in your area but there are charter schools. They have their advantages and disadvantages. Less government involvement, but less funding to. You have to play the game to get funding, that's how it works.
It's my understanding that charter schools are not locally controlled. Who has the control there?
The Charter School My Boys attend IS locally controlled. It is controlled and administered by a Local
School Board. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | foundation horse - 2015-05-26 8:33 PM Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-26 8:47 AM FLITASTIC - 2015-05-26 8:36 AM Not sure if you have them in your area but there are charter schools. They have their advantages and disadvantages. Less government involvement, but less funding to. You have to play the game to get funding, that's how it works. It's my understanding that charter schools are not locally controlled. Who has the control there? The Charter School My Boys attend IS locally controlled. It is controlled and administered by a Local School Board.
That's good to know. |
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I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system.
You are exactly right. Any district that says they don't teach to the test are lying through their teeth. Teachers are held accountable for everything. I have students who simply cannot read (5th grade) and I'm honestly not given time to really teach them. I do what is needed to get them to pass the test. Once they pass, I'm told, "See, they can read!" Honestly, they can't. The passing rate is 54%. The test sucks so badly that they have to lower the passing rate to make the state look good. We are pushing kids through the system without life long skills. It really makes me sad. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| foundation horse - 2015-05-26 8:33 PM
Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-26 8:47 AM
FLITASTIC - 2015-05-26 8:36 AM Not sure if you have them in your area but there are charter schools. They have their advantages and disadvantages. Less government involvement, but less funding to. You have to play the game to get funding, that's how it works.
It's my understanding that charter schools are not locally controlled. Who has the control there?
The Charter School My Boys attend IS locally controlled. It is controlled and administered by a Local
School Board.
I taught in a charter school in TX and it is mandatory that they take the state test because I administered the test. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1355
| FLITASTIC - 2015-05-26 10:43 AM
Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-26 7:19 AM
BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system.
That's part of why my nephew was pulled out to homeschool in first grade. He is special needs with an IEP (which was not being honored and the school refused to modify as needed) and was "meeting some of the standards part of the time"... that was deemed acceptable by the school administration. He's a very bright little boy, he just needed more specialized instruction than what the school was willing or able to provide (good sized public school and they had no dyslexia program? Really?). The common core crap where everyone is doing the same thing at the same time DOES NOT WORK if your kid can't fit themselves into that little box. And that goes for kids at both ends of the learning spectrum.
IEP's are serious business! If your child's IEP was not being honored each individual teacher who refused to honor it can and should be sued ! We have huge IEP meetings every fall when school starts, we have to sign legal docs that we know what the modifications are and that we will follow them. I would go after whomever is not following the rules.
I agree with this. There is no way legally that a teacher should NOT have been following that IEP. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 729
Location: south central usa | sophiebelle - 2015-05-26 9:35 PM
BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system.
You are exactly right. Any district that says they don't teach to the test are lying through their teeth. Teachers are held accountable for everything. I have students who simply cannot read (5th grade) and I'm honestly not given time to really teach them. I do what is needed to get them to pass the test. Once they pass, I'm told, "See, they can read!" Honestly, they can't. The passing rate is 54%. The test sucks so badly that they have to lower the passing rate to make the state look good. We are pushing kids through the system without life long skills. It really makes me sad.
my concern would be how did the kids get through K-4th without being able to read...a fundamental aspect of learning in school. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | runnink - 2015-05-27 12:47 PM sophiebelle - 2015-05-26 9:35 PM BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system. You are exactly right. Any district that says they don't teach to the test are lying through their teeth. Teachers are held accountable for everything. I have students who simply cannot read (5th grade) and I'm honestly not given time to really teach them. I do what is needed to get them to pass the test. Once they pass, I'm told, "See, they can read!" Honestly, they can't. The passing rate is 54%. The test sucks so badly that they have to lower the passing rate to make the state look good. We are pushing kids through the system without life long skills. It really makes me sad. my concern would be how did the kids get through K-4th without being able to read...a fundamental aspect of learning in school.
You would be amazed how often it happens. |
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I Am Always Right
Posts: 4264
Location: stray dump capital of the world | Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-27 12:58 PM runnink - 2015-05-27 12:47 PM sophiebelle - 2015-05-26 9:35 PM BS Hauler - 2015-05-26 9:07 AM My wife has been in the school system for over 24 years and she said it is all about shoving the kids thru the system. They don't want to have to fail anybody so they have to take a year over. Its not about teaching anymore its about not overloading the system. You are exactly right. Any district that says they don't teach to the test are lying through their teeth. Teachers are held accountable for everything. I have students who simply cannot read (5th grade) and I'm honestly not given time to really teach them. I do what is needed to get them to pass the test. Once they pass, I'm told, "See, they can read!" Honestly, they can't. The passing rate is 54%. The test sucks so badly that they have to lower the passing rate to make the state look good. We are pushing kids through the system without life long skills. It really makes me sad. my concern would be how did the kids get through K-4th without being able to read...a fundamental aspect of learning in school.
I'd like to know as well. They do not retain anyone anymore. Ever. If I try in 5th, I'm told they'll get caught in high school. Every year they are passed on when they lack skills to move on. It's a vicious cycle. |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Standardized testing, the biggest curse word to teachers…
I am a classroom teacher in the state of Kentucky, and testing is one of many battles all teachers fight.
To shed some light on my experiences and thought process I am happy to share my experiences.
The benefits of standardized testing: - Ensures all students are being taught subject standards.
- When a student moves across the state this helps keep students from missing content (they can pick up where they left off so to speak) this also stands true for students who move across the country.
- Gives teachers a guide and expectation as to what they are expected to teach. (These expectations are the FLOOR, we aim to go to the ceiling).
I personally believe that it is good to have some type of standard on what we all need to teach to, otherwise…..it would be a free for all.
But, with every system there are major flaws. We are tested too much, and in the United States we aim for MORE, MORE, MORE, instead of QUALITY.
This is a societal issue. We want more money, more time, more things. In the life of a teacher we are expected to teach more content and more students with LESS resources.
Yes, students get passed on when they don’t know how to read, simply because the number of kids lacking in skills are so high. In the United States we do not wait for a kid to move on when they are ready. We force them on. (More mentality) This also lends to the fact that we seriously have a parenting problem. When a student is lacking in skills they often do not get the assistance needed at home. Those that do have parental support, survive the system even if they are lacking in skills. Those that don’t, we as teachers fight for them, and do whatever we can to reach them in some way to break the cycle and rise above their situations.
As a public school teacher if I had kids, I would without a doubt send them to a public school, but I would do my homework. Most states have something called a school report card where you can look up schools and how they rank within the state. If your only option is a public school do not be afraid of them. Here is my advice to any that ask- do not be afraid to contact your child’s teachers! Communication is key, and I have actually made a lot of connections with the parents of my students. Have your child read to you every night. It is amazing the skills that they can get out of reading to someone on a daily basis, and do not forget that we are often fighting the same battles you are, so please try not to get too frustrated with us….as we are all on the same side.
Will our system ever be fixed? Probably not, but it still doesn’t stop me from teaching.
If any one has additional questions on the public school system I can talk about teaching all day long. Feel free to ask, and I will explain to the best of my ability. |
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Semper Fi
Location: North Texas | streakysox - 2015-05-26 11:41 PM
foundation horse - 2015-05-26 8:33 PM
Three 4 Luck - 2015-05-26 8:47 AM
FLITASTIC - 2015-05-26 8:36 AM Not sure if you have them in your area but there are charter schools. They have their advantages and disadvantages. Less government involvement, but less funding to. You have to play the game to get funding, that's how it works.
It's my understanding that charter schools are not locally controlled. Who has the control there?
The Charter School My Boys attend IS locally controlled. It is controlled and administered by a Local
School Board.
I taught in a charter school in TX and it is mandatory that they take the state test because I administered the test.
I never claimed my boys were not tested just that Schoolboard is local and involved.
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Standardized Testing . . . if only someone would listen.