The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux) - Page 274

Ghoulish Delight · 11-28-2007, 01:02 PM

My sister was a gifted student that never made it into the gifted system. It was ridiculous to witness her be absolutely frustrated to the point of tears, on a consistent basis, by the mainstream world. For a split second, despite having seen my sister go through it, I was planning on opting out of the gifted/magnet for high school in favor of going to my local high school (traveling 40 minutes to get to school, and longer to see friends was wearing thin). I am forever indebted to the teaching staff at North Hollywood Hgih magnet, not only for the education, but for that recruitment night where they successfully made their case for why I should attend. Best decision of my life.

Fvck test scores. Test scores demonstrate nothing more than an ability to take a test. The fanatical focus on test scores has crippled education. Teachers who actually want to teach are bailing by the dozen. My parents are both 30+ year teaching veterans. Teaching is their life and passion. My mom gave up, retired early, because she was no longer allowed to teach. She was being forced to become nothing more than a testing-coach. It was sad to see her so unhappy with teaching.

mousepod · 11-28-2007, 01:06 PM

I'll stop being annoyed with the "one class for everybody" concept as soon as schools let everyone play on varsity sports teams regardless of talent.

katiesue · 11-28-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

I'll stop being annoyed with the "one class for everybody" concept as soon as schools let everyone play on varsity sports teams regardless of talent.

Perfect way to put it.

(although my High School was small and mostly everyone who tried out made the team. How else could I have lettered in Field Hockey and Track?)

Alex · 11-28-2007, 02:03 PM

I'm pretty sure the mainlining movement predates and has little specifically to do with No Child Left Behind. It was a hot topic of conversation in the education pedagogy classes I took back in college (1992-1993) before I decided there was nothing I less wanted to do than spend every day with children.

Having all the kids of a similar age in the same classroom does not necessarily mean they need be doing exactly the same thing (anymore than in old one-room schools sixth graders did second grade work). And putting "gifted" student into a separate program also makes the assumption that being gifted puts you in an advanced functioning category in all areas. Advanced reading comprehension does not necessarily imply advanced logical abilities does not necessarily imply advanced mathematical skills.

My personal anecdote (which gives it a weight of exactly zero) is that my sister was put into an advanced program in second grade and made it to the seventh grade unable to read a non-digital clock.

sleepyjeff · 11-28-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

And putting "gifted" student into a separate program also makes the assumption that being gifted puts you in an advanced functioning category in all areas. Advanced reading comprehension does not necessarily imply advanced logical abilities does not necessarily imply advanced mathematical skills.

Quite true. In middle and high school I was put in with the advance classes for history, social/global studies and English/language arts but never spent one day in an advanced math or science class.

In the very least it widened my circle of friends.

BarTopDancer · 11-28-2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiesue

Maddy's school is obsessed with test scores. That's it - not learing but what you get on the tests. And not the end of the chapter test the state tests. It makes me wonky.

Good thing I'm still not in school. I'd drag the entire class down. Give me subject matter - have a conversation with me and you will know I know what I am talking about. Give me a paper, multiple choice questions and a time limit and I'm fvcked. What's 2+2 again?

Gemini Cricket · 11-29-2007, 11:22 AM

Not to sound mean or anything... I really don't mean to be mean...
But seeing a full blown picture of Youssif and his scarred up face is really, really jarring to see on CNN.com's homepage. (They just recently took it off.)
I mean, I'm rooting for him and everything. But it's like... click on CNN.com...BAM! Oy!

MouseWife · 11-29-2007, 11:29 AM

I didnt' see the picture you are speaking of, GC. Glad, too.

But you are right, they over emphasis these test scores. A young girl worked so hard in her class but would fail the tests. I was angry with her mother because she didn't stand up for her, she was angry with her for failing the tests!!! Obviously, either she had an issue with taking tests or else the tests were stupid.

It is a sad day when teachers can't teach. And that they can't take time to have fun with the students. I don't know if they do it now but when my kids were in school, I did help with the testing while the teachers were able to continue teaching. How else were they supposed to test the students and also teach the class? I never understood that.

innerSpaceman · 11-29-2007, 11:29 AM

And speaking of CNN, I love the way John McCain really dusted the floor with Romney on the waterboarding thing at last night's CNN-sponsored debate.

scaeagles · 11-29-2007, 11:32 AM

CNN is a joke.

"How were we supposed to know that the person we selected the youtube question from and flew out from California to the debate to ask a question in person is working on Hillary Clinton's campaign?"

11-28-2007, 01:02 PM	#2731
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	My sister was a gifted student that never made it into the gifted system. It was ridiculous to witness her be absolutely frustrated to the point of tears, on a consistent basis, by the mainstream world. For a split second, despite having seen my sister go through it, I was planning on opting out of the gifted/magnet for high school in favor of going to my local high school (traveling 40 minutes to get to school, and longer to see friends was wearing thin). I am forever indebted to the teaching staff at North Hollywood Hgih magnet, not only for the education, but for that recruitment night where they successfully made their case for why I should attend. Best decision of my life. Fvck test scores. Test scores demonstrate nothing more than an ability to take a test. The fanatical focus on test scores has crippled education. Teachers who actually want to teach are bailing by the dozen. My parents are both 30+ year teaching veterans. Teaching is their life and passion. My mom gave up, retired early, because she was no longer allowed to teach. She was being forced to become nothing more than a testing-coach. It was sad to see her so unhappy with teaching. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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11-28-2007, 01:06 PM	#2732
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	I'll stop being annoyed with the "one class for everybody" concept as soon as schools let everyone play on varsity sports teams regardless of talent. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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11-28-2007, 02:03 PM	#2734
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I'm pretty sure the mainlining movement predates and has little specifically to do with No Child Left Behind. It was a hot topic of conversation in the education pedagogy classes I took back in college (1992-1993) before I decided there was nothing I less wanted to do than spend every day with children. Having all the kids of a similar age in the same classroom does not necessarily mean they need be doing exactly the same thing (anymore than in old one-room schools sixth graders did second grade work). And putting "gifted" student into a separate program also makes the assumption that being gifted puts you in an advanced functioning category in all areas. Advanced reading comprehension does not necessarily imply advanced logical abilities does not necessarily imply advanced mathematical skills. My personal anecdote (which gives it a weight of exactly zero) is that my sister was put into an advanced program in second grade and made it to the seventh grade unable to read a non-digital clock.
	Submit to Quotes

11-29-2007, 11:22 AM	#2737
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Not to sound mean or anything... I really don't mean to be mean... But seeing a full blown picture of Youssif and his scarred up face is really, really jarring to see on CNN.com's homepage. (They just recently took it off.) I mean, I'm rooting for him and everything. But it's like... click on CNN.com...BAM! Oy!
	Submit to Quotes

11-29-2007, 11:29 AM	#2738
MouseWife Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Da' Beach Posts: 2,957	I didnt' see the picture you are speaking of, GC. Glad, too. But you are right, they over emphasis these test scores. A young girl worked so hard in her class but would fail the tests. I was angry with her mother because she didn't stand up for her, she was angry with her for failing the tests!!! Obviously, either she had an issue with taking tests or else the tests were stupid. It is a sad day when teachers can't teach. And that they can't take time to have fun with the students. I don't know if they do it now but when my kids were in school, I did help with the testing while the teachers were able to continue teaching. How else were they supposed to test the students and also teach the class? I never understood that. __________________ Summa' time....when the livins' easy.........
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11-29-2007, 11:29 AM	#2739
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	And speaking of CNN, I love the way John McCain really dusted the floor with Romney on the waterboarding thing at last night's CNN-sponsored debate.
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11-29-2007, 11:32 AM	#2740
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	CNN is a joke. "How were we supposed to know that the person we selected the youtube question from and flew out from California to the debate to ask a question in person is working on Hillary Clinton's campaign?"
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