Do your kids have state mandated tests in school?

[Daxx]

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.

Why do you think most teachers have their own kids in private school

I am a teacher at a private school and send my child to a private school. My students, as well as my child, take all the state mandated tests that the public school kids take along w/a few more tossed in that the publics don't have to take.

I can't speak for other teachers, but I have my child in a private school b/c I am less than thrilled w/the academics of the public schools in my area. That's just me. The academics in the privates are higher than the publics.

Sorry, but not all privates are exempt from state testing.

 

[TallyLassie]

My son is in kindergarten, while he does not have to pass the FCAT until 3rd grade, he must be master the Sunshine state standards. He has to read short words, tell time to the hour, know right from left, and quite a bit more. http://www.firn.edu/doe/curric/prek12/index.html

I feel for you. We were only 30 days into kindergarten and my son's teacher said he was failing in every area. Let me tell you what some of what he does know: how to spell his name, all letters of the alphabet, what sounds most letters make, and count to 30. They cut out naps last year in kindergarten (no time).

 

[CEDmom]

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).

I think this may be a misconception of Home Schoolers. While some districts do teach to the test the far majority don't. Skills are started in kindergarten and built upon over the years. By no means are they studying the same things over and over.

I think the way you did the kindergarten testing would work if schools had the means to test kids one on one or even in very small groups. That just isn't going to happen. That's why I think testing in a public school kindergarten class in likely more harmful than helpful.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Why does FL start in kindergarten? Do they actual see a benefit? .

FL does NOT start in kindergarten with FCAT. FCAT doesn't start until 3rd grade.

 

[Aidensmom]

My son is in kindergarten, while he does not have to pass the FCAT until 3rd grade, he must be master the Sunshine state standards. He has to read short words, tell time to the hour, know right from left, and quite a bit more. http://www.firn.edu/doe/curric/prek12/index.html

I feel for you. We were only 30 days into kindergarten and my son's teacher said he was failing in every area. Let me tell you what some of what he does know: how to spell his name, all letters of the alphabet, what sounds most letters make, and count to 30. They cut out naps last year in kindergarten (no time).

My son knows the same, which to me is not to shabby for kid 30 days into kindergarten (or should I say 38, I have heard this so much. ). I think we are in the same boat.

 

[Aidensmom]

I am sorry if I said the wrong standardized test. OK, so FL doesn't do the FCAT in K, but it still does a standardized test which is what is taught to, and can fail kindergarten if they don't meet the criteria. Is it really a big deal what the test is called?

 

[ZuZugal]

My 6th and 7th grader are about to take standardized tests......it's called the Iowa test......and we live in Illinois!!!!! Go figure. (Guess we weren't smart enough to come up w/our own so we're taking Iowa's instead!)

 

[cruisnfamily]

I am sorry if I said the wrong standardized test. OK, so FL doesn't do the FCAT in K, but it still does a standardized test which is what is taught to, and can fail kindergarten if they don't meet the criteria. Is it really a big deal what the test is called?

That must be your school. Ours doesn't do that and I'm in FL. The only grade in elementary school that you can be retained specifically for failing a standardized test(FCAT) is 3rd grade. You can fail it in 4th and 5th grade and still be promoted.

Of course, if the teacher doesn't feel that a child has learned enough in K(or any grade) to pass on to the next grade, they can recommend retention, regardless of test scores.

 

[Aidensmom]

That must be your school. Ours doesn't do that and I'm in FL. The only grade in elementary school that you can be retained specifically for failing a standardized test(FCAT) is 3rd grade. You can fail it in 4th and 5th grade and still be promoted.

Of course, if the teacher doesn't feel that a child has learned enough in K(or any grade) to pass on to the next grade, they can recommend retention, regardless of test scores.

I believe it is our whole school district (the county) that does the tests, as well as at least several other counties in our area, not just the school. Maybe I need to do more research, it might be because of the "grade" the school got in the prior year. I do know for sure my son has to take the tests in K, I hear about them constantly from the teacher.

ETA: the school is a good school, but it did not get an "A" last year. It is also in an underpriveleged area.