Do your kids have state mandated tests in school?

[Aidensmom]

How do you feel about them?

In Florida, we have the FCAT, beginning in kindergarten.

Until I had a child in school, I didn't know how I felt. Now I do, and I can totally appreciate why my son's kindergarten teacher has her own kindergartner son in PRIVATE school! I think that stressing out 5 year olds in thier first month of school to learn to pass a test is ridiculous.

My son is under threat of failing because he doesn't color to test standards , and he has been in school now for "38 days, and he should be farther ahead for this mark, he is falling behind" He has been in school THIRTY EIGHT DAYS....why does that translate that he should be able to read and write at what in my day was a 2nd grade level?

I vented to my mom today, who has a Master's in Early Childhood Education, and currently teaches special ed Pre-K in the next county over from mine. She said "That is why I refuse to teach above pre-K now, I refuse to force kids to learn what they are not ready for. Why do you think most teachers have their own kids in private school?" That made me feel MUCH better that I am not the only one who thinks that the standards for K are getting beyond belief. Aren't kids supposed to learn some social skills at some point? There is no time for it in our school district.

I am NOT bashing teachers, I am upset about the fact that they have to teach to the tests!

 

[simpilotswife]

All states have mandated tests in school now, it's called "No Child Left Behind"

As for being behind in Kindergarten, since there are 142 more days of school he's not really in danger of failing the class at this point I am sure. I think that you will find that he will catch up nicely but if the teacher continues to beat you up about it go to the principal.

 

[Aidensmom]

All states have mandated tests in school now, it's called "No Child Left Behind"

That is what I thought, but my mom said it is up to the states to decide if they want to comply to that.

We have a governatorial candidate that elimininating that is one of his platforms, so I would think that is true.

 

[simpilotswife]

That is what I thought, but my mom said it is up to the states to decide if they want to comply to that.

We have a governatorial candidate that elimininating that is one of his platforms, so I would think that is true.

That is true but if the states don't comply they won't get federal funding for their schools.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We have the AIMS test. Once they get to high school if they do not pass it they will not graduate.

 

[C.Ann]

Brace yourself.. Next they'll be informing you that he is unable to relate to his milk carton on a one-to-one basis and his straw performance doesn't meet federally mandated guidelines..

 

[Aidensmom]

Brace yourself.. Next they'll be informing you that he is unable to relate to his milk carton on a one-to-one basis and his straw performance doesn't meet federally mandated guidelines..

Thank God I send a juice box in his lunch.

 

[C.Ann]

Thank God I send a juice box in his lunch.

-------------------------

Oh no! Not a juice box!! The standards are MUCH higher for juice boxes!!

 

[Longsx3]

Have you checked out any of the private schools in your area? When DD (10) was in Pre-K at a Private School they were very picky about who went to K the next year. I have found most private schools are more academically oriented. We checked out several Private K in the area and all had emphasis on Academics, one had a kindergarten round up where they observed the fine motor skills of the kids in a social setting.

Based on your chosen football team and other posts, I believe I am from your city and I know of several Private schools there that would also put an emphasis on academics. BTW my DD doesn't like to color but is a straight A, student in GE who loves sports and does fine on standardized tests.

How do you feel about them?

In Florida, we have the FCAT, beginning in kindergarten.

Until I had a child in school, I didn't know how I felt. Now I do, and I can totally appreciate why my son's kindergarten teacher has her own kindergartner son in PRIVATE school! I think that stressing out 5 year olds in thier first month of school to learn to pass a test is ridiculous.

My son is under threat of failing because he doesn't color to test standards , and he has been in school now for "38 days, and he should be farther ahead for this mark, he is falling behind" He has been in school THIRTY EIGHT DAYS....why does that translate that he should be able to read and write at what in my day was a 2nd grade level?

I vented to my mom today, who has a Master's in Early Childhood Education, and currently teaches special ed Pre-K in the next county over from mine. She said "That is why I refuse to teach above pre-K now, I refuse to force kids to learn what they are not ready for. Why do you think most teachers have their own kids in private school?" That made me feel MUCH better that I am not the only one who thinks that the standards for K are getting beyond belief. Aren't kids supposed to learn some social skills at some point? There is no time for it in our school district.

I am NOT bashing teachers, I am upset about the fact that they have to teach to the tests!

 

[MushyMushy]

It only gets worse. Pennsylvania just spent millions of dollars implementing these PRE tests for the test.

FOUR TIMES a year before the actual test, these kids will take two days to be pre-tested in English and math. Four times! These tests will help find their weaknesses and will allow teachers to adjust accordingly.

Ridiculous and a total waste of taxpayers' money.

I remember years ago all this outcry for "teacher accountability." Well, folks, you asked for it -- you got it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I thought FCAT was only mandated for 3rd grade and above. (This is according to a 1st grade and 2nd grade teachers whose children are in my daughters dance class).

In any case--I remember testing way back when in SC and PA and LA...but it wasn't for all grades. And we never prepped for them. My have times changed.

 

[floridaminnie]

FCAT is for 3rd grade and above. In Kindergarten there are quarterly testing for certain skills that focus on Reading. I teach in the public schools here in Florida, but DD goes to a private school that has higher requirments. They start Stanford Testing in Kindergarten and if your child can not read fluently, they do not pass kindergarten. DD is currently in 2nd grade.

 

[golfgal]

It's funny, before NCLB, the inner city Minneapolis schools were making some pretty impressive strides with their students using the model that Minnesota required at the time. Since NCLB, they have gone backwards according to an article in the Minneapolis newspaper.

 

[CEDmom]

NJ has testing that begins in 3rd grade. It is stressful but at 8 & 9 I think the kids are better able to handle it. Also, the teachers and school overall do a good job preping them and teaching them to handle the stress.

I think starting them in kindergarten or even 1st grade is crazy. Many kindergarteners have never been in any school setting before and that alone is a huge adjustment. 1st graders are just settling in to real school - learning to sit at a desk and do school work all day.

Why does FL start in kindergarten? Do they actual see a benefit? Schools can test kids and identify those students in need of extra help and those ahead of the curve w/o standardized testing.

 

[CEDmom]

That is what I thought, but my mom said it is up to the states to decide if they want to comply to that.

We have a governatorial candidate that elimininating that is one of his platforms, so I would think that is true.

Oh it only that were true. I suppose if a district can support itself w/o any federal $ they could opt out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

NJ has testing that begins in 3rd grade. It is stressful but at 8 & 9 I think the kids are better able to handle it. Also, the teachers and school overall do a good job preping them and teaching them to handle the stress.

I think starting them in kindergarten or even 1st grade is crazy. Many kindergarteners have never been in any school setting before and that alone is a huge adjustment. 1st graders are just settling in to real school - learning to sit at a desk and do school work all day.

Why does FL start in kindergarten? Do they actual see a benefit? Schools can test kids and identify those students in need of extra help and those ahead of the curve w/o standardized testing.

FWIW--I did testing with my K last year b/c we homeschool and we just like to know that we aren't doing things wrong. Anyway--the K test was something very easy. She didn't practice for it..they don't do the bubble scan tron sheet. I told her to just have fun with it and if she didn't know something...to skip it. It was a much shorter test than older grades (was only 2 days) and was 3 hours or less with requisite breaks and such.

I don't have a problem with testing. I have a problem with the stigma attached to it and the overbearing preparation going on that is in lieu of academics (i.e. study the same material over and over and over instead of just learning new material that builds on basic skills you have).

This was the Iowa Basic Skills test (IIRC).

 

[CBRorBust]

As a teacher, let me just say that I think standardized testing STINKS! I teach 1st grade and we give a reading assessment type test that tests students on their letter/sound knowledge, blending, beginning/middle/ending sounds, and then reading level/fluency/comprehension.

It's really not too terrible for the kids, but I just think it's ridiculous to test 5 and 6 year olds!!!

And yes, I fully 100% plan to send my children to private school when I am fortunate enough to have children. A big part of that is because I'm a product of private school, but the other part is definitely the testing!

 

[Aidensmom]

Have you checked out any of the private schools in your area? When DD (10) was in Pre-K at a Private School they were very picky about who went to K the next year. I have found most private schools are more academically oriented. We checked out several Private K in the area and all had emphasis on Academics, one had a kindergarten round up where they observed the fine motor skills of the kids in a social setting.

Based on your chosen football team and other posts, I believe I am from your city and I know of several Private schools there that would also put an emphasis on academics. BTW my DD doesn't like to color but is a straight A, student in GE who loves sports and does fine on standardized tests.

I have not looked into a lot of them, but there is one a friend sends her child to that she highly recommends and I have considered. I would be interested to hear what schools you recommend though, if you could PM them to me.

 

[PenskeSth1]

DS is in 3rd grade and he HATES TO READ. The recentely tested him and sent me home a letter stating that he is reading below standard and is in danger of failing. He goes off with a teacher for an hour a day for extra help. I hate the FCAT. It is not the teachers fault by any means.

My son does not read fluent enough. We have tried everything, from timing him to taking turns reading. He reads fine to me, he just doesn't read quick enough and fluently enough. With this FCAT if he does not score at least a 2 on the test in the spring he will fail 3rd grade.

My problem is the teachers have to spend more time preparing for the FCAT then they do on the regular lessons. If I had more patients I would home school DS like I did DD when she was in Elementary school.

 

[Laz]

Remember, even private schools must give the standardized tests. I teach in a Catholic High School and the testing is the same pain as it is in the public schools.