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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 6:26 am
I don't agree with stressing the kids out over a test, but as the mother of a child who struggles in school, there are positives to the test and "no child left behind". Instead of adopting the attitude of "she'll get it" or it's my job to get her tutoring, the school is highly aware of where she is lagging and making sure that she is given extra tutoring and working with her to keep her at grade level. All of this for free too.
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Kady
Member
07-30-2000
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 9:22 am
When my son was in private school they took the California Achievement Test. Not a whole lot of pressure was put on the kids at all. They wanted the children to do well but didn't act like their lives depended on how well they did on the test. Now he is in public school and never stresses over these types of test, maybe because he wasn't pressured at a young age.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 10:47 am
Yay, Caleb! Yay, War!
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Wargod
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 11:21 am
Thanks guys. This morning on his way out the door, I told him to have a good day and try not to worry about the test. Little mr. full of confidence said he wasn't worried today and he knew he'd do well because it was the math part, lol. Tomorrow they have the writing portion, and he's not too happy about that one. Been worrying about his spelling and printing, but also the fact that they won't know the topic they're writing about til test time. Pamy I don't know about the private schools. I thought I'd seen some stats that included the private schools but when I looked this morning, I couldn't find them.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 4:15 pm
Private schools have the standardized tests, called the Terra Novas. They are designed to measure where your child is in terms of a national average. The schools really are not pressurized to perform well. The results of the standardized tests in public schools have a big impact in terms of funding particularly in terms of federal funds. There is more pressure on teachers to have children do well in these tests and teachers today seem to spend all their time now just making sure the kids perform the tests rather than making sure the kids are retaining and learning the material.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 4:24 pm
I respectfully disagree, Maris. Of course, I can only speak for my childrens' schools, but it's just not that big of a deal in them. Yes, they work on them, but not to the detriment of learning. Also, the test IS information that they SHOULD know at that particular grade level. I disagree with some of the wording on some of the tests (espeically the LA ones) that does result in the teacher's having to focus on teaching the students how to take the test. But, I have no problem with the information on which they are tested.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 4:27 pm
The fourth grade tests are a huge deal here in NY state. The kids are terrorized about the test.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 4:40 pm
That's really a shame. Do they just test in 4th grade? Here it's every year starting in 3rd, with 3rd, 7th, & 10th being the 3 chances to pass then retained tests.
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 4:44 pm
To add to the test debate... in Indiana, my cousins have to pass the test to pass into the next grade - her sons have learning disablities and usually miss by a few points, they have to take summer school, and take the tests till they pass,or they dont go to the next grade... so her kids do get stressed, and I'm talking elementary school... one year her 4th grader missed the pass mark by one point, I tried to help her word it so he didnt have to go to summer school - didnt matter it was a state standard, not a local school descion!!
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 5:59 pm
my holly has been in both private (k-6/CAT tests) and public schools (7-8/STAR and CAT), here in california. she's taken standardized tests every single year. she's also been on the SAT fast track. she's taken it every 2 years since 6th grade. (we haven't found out this year's scores yet). in no way do they study specifically for the tests. the way the teacher's teach is what should be learned for that grade average. the homework is extreme here. we do live in a GREAT town with a GREAT school district.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 6:34 pm
I am so glad I read this thread, thanks for sharing all the info!! I am going to call the school tomarrow and ask about the test. I know they use the Tribeca system and are 2 yrs ahead of public school(that's what they tell me) My son is in 2nd grade, has to handwrite everything, is doing multiplication and division, spelling and definitions(one of the words tonight was companion)...is that what they are doing in your 2nd grades?
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Friday, May 07, 2004 - 4:26 pm
That sounds very similiar to our schools 2nd grade... I have a close friend that teaches 2nd grade, and I love to help her with lesson plans etc. They also do a lot of research projects, they just worked on a presentation similiar to power point, but for the mac... I forget the topic they used... they do brochures when studying different regions of the USA, well specifically they did for the study on desserts. They read literature books, not that I can think of one book besides Charlottes Web the high group read, and did projects with. She is doing a specific spelling project and thier words seem hard to me!! They also learn cursive, is that what you meant by 'handwrite' everything? The school is moving towards one on one laptop computers for their upper grades...(possibly 3rd, but 4, 5, 6 for sure!)
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Faerygdds
Member
08-29-2000
| Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 12:45 pm
OK... Have a question I need answered by parents... My Niece (9) and 2 nephews (10 1/2 and 3) have just lost their 3rd relative in so many months. The oldest one is saying he never wants to have another holiday -- Great Uncle passed on Easter, their great grandmother 2 weeks later, and Now their great grandfather on 4th of July (also the GGM who passed birthday). The middle child has begun to act out... and the 3 year old is seemingly oblivious. I had an idea of getting some helium balloons, letting the kids write something or draw a picture... just something to say we love you and miss you... or even goodbye (kids have been to no funerals) then we can let the balloons go and fly up to heaven to our loved ones. I figure it would give them an outlet and let them express themselves in a very safe and non-judgmental way. My mother thinks that we should never ever mention it and it will just go away and the kids will forget. (her words not mine) As parents... WWYD? (note: ultimately it's their father's decision and obviously I will abide by that, but I would like to hear what others would do anyway. )
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Danas15146
Member
03-31-2004
| Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 12:49 pm
I think that is such a great idea! They are not going to forget and this would give them a chance to say goodbye.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 1:10 pm
Sweeping the children's feelings under the rug is not going to do anyone any good. I like your balloon idea. Hope their Dad will agree.
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Wargod
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 2:04 pm
Agree with Lumbele! When my step father passed away, Dakota was 1 and a half and Caleb was 4. She really didn't understand, and couldn't figure out why Caleb wouldn't play with her sometimes, he'd be sitting in our laps crying. Caleb was grandpa's buddy. He helped work on cars, went everywher with him, he'd call to talk to grandpa when he hadn't stopped by for a few days. He had been gone a few months when we did that exact thing. Went to the party store, the kids picked their balloons. Then we came home, Dakota drew a picture, Caleb wrote a letter. Took them outback and let them send letters to grandpa in heaven. (NOTE: if there are trees, power lines, etc. in the area, be ready to get the kids inside quickly if you need to!) We stood and watched the balloons float away, it really was poignant (Caleb missed his grandpa so much sometimes it was hard to see him struggle with it.) After a bit, we saw the balloons heading straight for the power lines. We hurridely got the kids inside! Anyways, it was a good, healing way for them to say goodbye. Your neice and nephews, especially the older two, will not forget so I hope they are able to talk about it. I also hope your brother agrees.
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Reader234
Member
08-13-2000
| Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 2:21 pm
I agree with Lumbele too - as you may know dd classmate died at the beginning of the year. I firmly believe some of her behavior problems are due to trying to figure it out - - I firmly believe in letting the kids talk, and I will initiate some conversations... I support the child's mothers efforts at school not to ler her son be forgotten... Some parents had a huge issue with a bake sale we did in the child's honor. With the money raised the family put together a book of Zach, and it was bound beautifully... mom and his sister came to class and read it, however, they had to have permission from every family in the class first... hands down the class parents supported this. When dd came home and read the story to me, it gave her more opportunities to talk about Zach... Needless to say I have a strong faith in God, and I hope I am giving that to dd also, when my grandma died, I had a hard time with it, dd was only 3yrs old at the time, but she set me straight, and from time to time I share the memories of my grandma - I have pics, and I have figurines so grandma is still a part of who I am, and that I try and pass on to dd, from baking biscuits, to special pies, etc, but that is how we chose, I certainly commend you for trying to give them peace!! Just because adults try and do the right thing, by not speaking of it, doesnt mean the kids let it go... those relatives are a part of who they are... imho Good luck!!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 3:04 pm
Children have every right to grieve as adults. I think it's a fantastic idea!!!
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