Louisiana will test large numbers of preschool children this fall to determine their academic readiness. If they are found to be not ready, it is not clear who will be held accountable: Their teachers? Their families? “The goal, they say, is to create a grading system like the current School Performance Score reports for public elementary and secondary schools, which are ranked for student performance on standardized tests and progress made from year to year. “But whether pre-schools will be rewarded for academic progress, or sanctioned for lack of it, like elementary and secondary schools are, remains to be seen.” John White says that testing toddlers will promote equity.
This was also from Diane Ravitch's blog, but I couldn't help myself. I just don't know what to think about this...my husband and I went out tonight looking for lots to build a house. In the twenty minute car ride, this was the conversation with my four and five year old sons:
"Dad, I want a new pet. Can we go to the pet store and get a horse?"
(Other son) "You don't want a horse, then you and mommy would have to clean up poop."
"Mom, do turtles poop?"
"Yes son, everyone poops."
"Moose? Does a moose poop?"
"I have a pile of crumbs."
"Mom, do you know that in ancient times, before swimming pools, people swam in lakes?"
"Mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom....
So, what I guess I need to know, is if they plan on doing this in Florida, should I start working with them on analogies? the essay section?
This is crazy! Is there ever a time in a child's life that they can just explore their interests and figure out how to learn? Why does anyone think testing 3 and 4 year old is a good idea?! Every kid develops at different speeds so determining their "readiness" at that age could label them for their entire schooling when maybe they just need another year to figure out what school is all about!
ReplyDeleteDon't we already sort of do this with VPK and that testing?
ReplyDeleteYou can pull the reports to see how many of a given pre-school's graduating VPK students are deemed K-ready.
Those are both really good points. You're right, I guess it is like VPK testing only on a much broader scale.
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