what is this BSRA (Bracken School Readiness) assessment?

groovygrl · November 2013

Pre-K did this on our kids and I really don't know what to make of it other than the percentile that was provided (compared to other kids in the same franchise of schools nationwide) and which areas they scored higher on than others, etc.... just curious, I mean, it seems nice to know but don't know that it is really worth much b/c I know nothing abou tit...

meg1974 · November 2013

I haven't heard of it (although it might be what they used to test my DD a few weeks ago). But, I do know that every kid has to be accepted into Kindergarten no matter what. And, most kids don't do pre-K. So, to say there is such as thing as "Kindergarten readiness" is kind of nonsense, to me. They will have to learn certain things in Kindergarten regardless, because of the kids who didn't go to pre-K and have had little to no preparation. This is not to say that pre-K is bad, b/c I think early learning is really important. I just think it's silly to say that some kids are not ready for Kindergarten when everyone will be taken in no matter what!

Littlejen22 · November 2013

Meg, I do not know anyone whose kid did not do pre-K.

Littlejen22 · November 2013

fredalina said:
Obviously I was generalizing. Just trying to point out that one person's knowledge base doesn't necessarily equate to the rest of the country, BUT might fairly closely equate to the experiences of their child's peers.

Yeah, I know what you meant. I was just saying that in my circles every child did/does so Meg saying most don't gives the impression that is common knowledge but it is not true. Of course different areas have different levels of participation.

groovygrl · November 2013

So it sounds like not much use to it for parents of kids who are given the assessment other than to assure someone whose kids are on the higher end of the scale or to alert those who are below average...? I would assume that the teachers would talk to parents of kids on the lower end about whether it will be a concern in K and things they can do at home, etc...

groovygrl · November 2013

thanks cmeon--- I was in the NYC area long ago and have been in a few states since but am now in the midwest

. I am not concerned as I will be redshirting my kids anyway, but was just curious about the whole thing and didn't know what to make of it... I suspect the school just chooses to include a standardized test of some sort.... we live in a district where ppl are highly concerned about K prep and I repeatedly hear from other parents about how high level the K is here and how I'd be surprised at what they expect, even compared to similar towns nearby etc... so that might be why they do it or what significance it holds, I don't know. It isn't like you can bring it up w/ the other parents b/c it would seem like you're asking what kind of score their kid got???

Smores730 · December 2013

I worked for a franchise that used the Brackens test and we retested them with the same exact test again in March so that you can see the improvements your child has made over the course of the school year. The ranking is down to the month of their age so that is also something to keep in mind (4 years, 2 months is on a different scale then 4 years, 3 months for example). It's all just nice to know and gives you insight into how your child is learning and excelling. I'm going to assume the corporate office likes to see it as well to verify that their curriculum is in fact working!

meg1974 · December 2013

Littlejen22 said:

Obviously I was generalizing. Just trying to point out that one person's knowledge base doesn't necessarily equate to the rest of the country, BUT might fairly closely equate to the experiences of their child's peers.
Yeah, I know what you meant. I was just saying that in my circles every child did/does so Meg saying most don't gives the impression that is common knowledge but it is not true. Of course different areas have different levels of participation.

My comment about most kids not doing pre-K was based on national averages and statistics. Of course, it varies by community. But, on a national level the stats show that a majority don't attend. In fact, some communities don't even offer it (at least, not for free anyway).

groovygrl · December 2013

Ours does not offer it as part of the public school system either, anyone who does preschool/preK that is not part of head start, etc has to go to a private program. in my community the vast majority go to some sort of preschool program though.

Littlejen22 · December 2013

We only have free if you qualify for special Ed services. There is a lottery for the rest of the seats but it is $2000k per year. Most do private.

doublefiesta · December 2013

Here in Boston, we have public pre-K, but not enough seats for everyone. But there is a big emphasis on kindergarten readiness. The public school system runs parent-child play-to-learn playgroups in the lower income neighborhoods for ages 1-5. It gives kids a chance to practice following directions, cooperating with other kids, transitioning from activity to activity, all of which to me are more important than knowing colors, shapes, alphabet, which I figure kids will all learn in K anyway.

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