I personally think that when measuring or assessing a child
there are many things that need to be looked at. I believe that they child’s
academics should be measured to see what knowledge they have and what they
still need help with. I think that a child’s behavior should be assessed to see
if it is impeding on the child’s ability to learn or grow academically. I also
strongly believe that the child’s home life should be looked at in some way to understand
the positive or negative environment that the child is living in. I believe
that all of these thinks should be measured or assessed because they all effect
the child and what they are capable of. If a child has a rough home life and no
one to support them, the odds are stacked against them, but they shouldn’t be
punished for something they can’t help.
I looked into China to see how they assess their children. I
was shocked at what I read. These children go to school at the crack of dawn
and don’t come home until dinner. They are given exam after exam of pure recall
information. They are expected to do well because they have no other option. If
parents follow the 1 child rule they hang that over the child’s head and tell
them they have to do well, their family depends on it. (Stack, 2011) To me this seems so
stressful on the child. Children also go to school to learn to be creative and
use their imagination, not just sit, listen and recall answer. I am glad that
in the US I am able to teach and prepare the students not just feed them tests.
Although sometimes I feel like it could quickly turn into that.
I teach kindergarten, which to me should be the most fun
grade. I started 4 years ago and we had so much fun and did so many projects.
As the years have passed I have had to do more and more testing. Now, all I
feel like I do is test. I just finished testing for report cards and it took me
a whole week to do! My poor kids missed out on so much direct instruction
because I have to do what I am asked. I really want to know who thinks that
this testing is such a great idea and why we have to have so much. I want
children to love school, not be tired of it by first grade because of all the
testing.
Stack, Megan K. (2011, January 13). Chinese students’ high
scores in international tests come to a cost. Las
Angeles Times. Retrieved from
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/13/world/la-fg-china-education-20110113
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/13/world/la-fg-china-education-20110113
Wow - That would be such a sad childhood for these children in China. I can't imagine a 7-10 year old having to sit for 12 hours a day doing school work when adults even have a hard time with working 8-10 hours a day. So sad! I used to teach Elementary school and part of the reason I am now in Early Childhood was the demands the district was starting to make on these children at earlier and earlier ages. Like you said, children should learn to love school and want to be there, and not be tired, stressed-out and depressed with the work-load and testing that they have to endure. It also makes teachers feel boxed in as to what they can teach and sucks the fun out of teaching.
ReplyDeleteI had hearad that before that child in China go to school like that but I thought it was a myth. It is no wonder that children from that culture excel when they come to the United States. If some of the children from the United States had to live like children in China I wonder if they would take their educational experiences and free time so lightly.
ReplyDeleteLauren,
ReplyDeleteWow! I really am amazed that you can be a single mother, attend school for your Master's and teach a Kindergarten class! You are superwoman! Best of luck in your future coursework at Walden and I really hope you enjoy your break with your little man! He is very lucky to have a mom who is so committed to learning and passionate about young children. Merry Christmas!