I have never posted a thread before..so hope it's OK for me to post here...

[nenagh]

I just met two lovely little children in the laundry room..

Because I'd just met the youngest child with his Mother 30 min ago...It was OK for them to talk to me. (Visualize older woman)

The little boy said something quietly..and I realized he said the FCATS begin tomorrow...

And his sister (who didn't look old enough to be in grade 9, but is)..

Her eyes filled up with tears...she barely was able to whisper...that she was afraid of failing...

Afraid of failing: she shook like a little slender leaf...

So I gave them all the reassurance and calming suggestions I could remember giving my own children and the little girl..just kept whispering 'thank you'..

What struck me was the bond between the two children...and how aware the younger brother was of his bigger sister's fear...

I hope they got some comfort and a little strength out of our chat...

Maybe we can all send positive vibes for students and teachers this week......

[CrispyQ]

1. Afraid of failing at age nine.

That's what we've filled their young minds with.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Indeed. The system literally beats the imagination and creativity right out of them.

And at an earlier and earlier age.

[nenagh]

4. That was exactly it....so I told them that my son couldn't read 'dog' when he was little..

and taught himself to read better by reading computer game magazines. (Nintendo!)

That we have a right too fail sometimes.... Exams are quirky: sometimes everything you studied is on the exam and we do well...sometimes it looks like nothing we've studied...so we don't do well... But we can do better another time..

Just too much strain on everyone.....and so unfair to think of linking test scores to teacher's salaries..

Indeed.

[elleng]

3. Yes, vibes for students and teachers this week,

and for politicians who have caused and are causing this disaster.



Welcome

[Squinch]

5. These tests do nothing for these children, and they traumatize them.

If I had school aged children, I'd keep them home on test days.

This situation is criminal. I hate it.

Thank you for giving this child some comfort.

[roody]

6. The tests are deliberately tricky. eom

[mbperrin]

7. This is why I have developed a short one hour workshop on test anxiety and reduction.

My students get it several times a year, and I present it at inservice meetings to teachers as well.

My own students increased their scores by about 20% after I developed and started using this little tool.

Nothing worse than the spiral of failure infecting people for a lifetime.

I'd be glad to send it to anyone who wants it - just send me an email address in DU mail, and I'll send it as a powerpoint attachment.

[nenagh]

8. Thank you for your reply...

My friend, who is a teacher might very much appreciate that information..

I'll send the email address..thank you very much..

[Smarmie Doofus]

9. I don't know what an FCAT is ( "fat-cat"? Hmmm....) but it sounds hideous.

And we're ALL shaking. Kids, teachers, principals. Everybody.

Better than vibes: send this email to Obama, Duncan, Gates and all of their local collaborators. ( OK, if I MUST be specific: think 'state legislators'.)

Tell them no $$$ or votes for DEM pols who support this crap.

[gejohnston]

11. Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test

http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Comprehensive_Assessment_Test

[madfloridian]

10. Nice post. Before I retired I had kids in tears, with tummy aches...

and just plain fear. It's a terrible thing to do to students.