Food For Thought (not actually about food, about development)

NSAbby · May 2014

https://www.modernmom.com/e50efda6-d0c0-11e3-991a-bc764e0546c6.html

Above is a link about a school that cancelled the annual kindergarten show, to focus the kids on studying.

I like the Psych Dr's response, and can definitely see her point.

Your thoughts?

Laura5533 · May 2014

That school is ridiculous and I would absolutely yank my kid out. The kindergarteners need to be spending their time prepping for college??? Are you kidding me? There are a lot more important things going in a 6 year-old's mental/emotional/physical/social development than improving test scores.

[Deleted User] · May 2014

As a teacher, I have a totally different view of this professionally than I do personally.

Personally, I agree that kids should have time to be kids. They should be allowed to play and not be bogged down with work and learn how to be social and enjoy their first years of school. A Kindergarten program like the one they're speaking of here is fun for everyone - fun for the kids because they get to perform for their parents, and fun for the parents because, who doesn't love to see little kids and their adorable performances?

Professionally, it's a whole other story and I agree 100% with the school. These days, unfortunately, school is all about the tests. MY JOB IS ON THE LINE. I am evaluated by, and because of that my pay/stability in my job is based on, how the students in my school perform on standardized tests. I don't even teach a testing grade, so my pay/job is based on the scores my kids will get on their tests 2 years after I have them. We are preparing them to pass these tests. Taking the time (and it takes a LOT of time) to plan, prepare, practice, etc. for a "Kindergarten Show" is just not time that we have to spare. The Kindergarten at the school in the article above it half day Kindergarten - which means they have only 2 1/2 hours each day to prepare these children for 1st grade. The headlines of these articles that are mentioning "college prep" are ridiculous - they're just preparing them for all of the things they are to know when leaving Kindergarten. It takes a LOT of work. A LOT of time. And if that time is being used to prepare for a cutesy little Kindergarten show, there are a lot of kids who won't pass Kindergarten.

Do I agree with the vigorous testing in schools? No way. Do I believe that my job should be based on how seriously kids and parents take testing. Absolutely not. There is TOO MUCH that is out of my hands. There are too many people who do think (and maybe rightfully so) that "kids should be kids" and they don't help their students study and practice as much as they should. That DIRECTLY has an effect on my evaluation and it's completely unfair. Do I think this school is doing what they are FORCED to do thanks to our government pushing such crazy standards....yes, and I would support their decision if I was a teacher there.

Just some food for thought from the other side of things (and sorry if that rambled...I've been having an incredibly hormone-crazy emotion-filled night because my sister just decided to spring on me that she's moving 6+ hours away this summer right after the baby is born!).

:-)

jendem8 · May 2014

I'm a social studies teacher, and I'm heavily involved in the arts in my school (musical theatre specifically). I find that this is a terrible idea but unfortunately something that is seen more and more. It's proven that students who are exposed to the arts (and music in particular) have greater success. It boggles my mind when districts do things like this. I would be incredibly upset if I was a teacher or parent there. Such a shame.

[Deleted User] · May 2014

jendem8 said:

I'm a social studies teacher, and I'm heavily involved in the arts in my school (musical theatre specifically). I find that this is a terrible idea but unfortunately something that is seen more and more. It's proven that students who are exposed to the arts (and music in particular) have greater success. It boggles my mind when districts do things like this. I would be incredibly upset if I was a teacher or parent there. Such a shame.

Are you able to spend a large portion of instructional time on musical theater? I feel like musical theater practices typically occur after the academic day is over or as part of the instructional period of an arts class (music, instrumental, etc.). I think that's a very different situation than a Kindergarten show. I've never done a Kindergarten show, but I've prepped my First Graders for a holiday show and it takes an INCREDIBLE amount of instructional time to prepare, practice, etc. I don't think that's a fair comparison, and is part of the reason that people probably don't understand the implications of this...not your comparison in particular, but just the fact that I don't think people think about how much academic time is spent prepping for something like a Kindergarten show.

Raclla · May 2014

My heart goes out to the teachers.

Just last week one of the discussions in my final class before graduating (yes, I have to mention that because I'm so freaking excited!) was about the flaws with No Child Left Behind.

Unfortunately the teachers are saddled with 100% of the burden of educating every child. How they measure success is through testing. Teacher's hands are tied.

Just another example of some politician having a grand idea and no one finding a successful way to implement the idea.

JadaBlue · May 2014

@funnibunni80‌ I feel compelled to point out, in case you see that student again before he pulls the trigger, that Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College, not high school!

beachbum4304 · May 2014

I may get flamed for this but a lot of this testing and teachers being held accountable because of test scores and cutting arts and things are adding to our growing list of reasons to homeschool.

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