Dick & Jane - Part II
A few weeks ago I wrote my lamentations on the education system. Today I had parent teacher conferences and I have to take a moment to add this to those thoughts.
As I visited with my daughter’s teacher she shared many a similar observation. First, she pointed out how advanced the materials are for kids today. How what my daughter is seeing and being exposed to for math concepts is what used to be 5-6th grade level material. I thanked her for the validation as this is something I’ve believed since first grade, based on what she brought home. The excuse is now they have to be exposed to more earlier so they can perform on the many standardized tests. Tests that “prove” that they are learning and teachers are teaching. Who came up with this brilliant and hollow evaluation method? What happened to common sense observation and individuality?
She shared how rigid learning times have become to accommodate what they will be tested on and how recess continues to get cut to make room for it. She said when she taught in Texas the third grade kids no longer had recess - there was no time for it. Kids can’t even be kids anymore. They are supposed to be little learning drones and machines. I get so angry thinking about it.
I told her how hard it is to have a child that doesn’t fit the mold. She commiserated and told me I was right on target - that it doesn’t mean the child isn’t smart or even brilliant. She even added that the system today punishes them because they don’t fit in the program’s parameters. Not only do we tell them what to do we tell them how, so if they are a free thinker or learn differently they must conform or suffer the consequences of being told they’re a failure. She said the only thing worse that pushing kids for all these tests is telling them they have to perform above average. Asking me, “How many of us are average?”
It was such a simple statement, but a wonderful reality check. Average or C grades are too often viewed as bad. Average exists because it represents the majority, yet we push for kids to constantly be above average or tell them they’re not doing enough if they get an average grade or score. We’ve lost touch with reality in the name of competition - higher percentages on statistic reports. And we’re sacrificing our kids in the process.
My daughter has the rest of her life to be an adult. I want her to enjoy being a kid while she is a kid. She’ll have homework the rest of her educational career - - why can’t she have a few treasured years when education is fun and unfettered? Why does she have to grow up so fast? And why on earth can’t anyone see this and start tearing down these ridiculous walls of expectations and “programs”?
My daughter loves school. She loves her teacher and bends over backwards to please her. She works twice as hard as her peers just to hold an average score. She is brilliant in ways I can’t comprehend and may never understand. I wish so much for her to rise above this political game that is called education today. Who knows, maybe she’ll be one of the future key players in making changes. I hope so!
Like this article? 
Yup,
Yup,
and Yup.
Great post. Believe me, we’ve been having all those same thoughts and conversations. Our issues are different, yet so much the same.
On the one hand, I think there’s much more that should be done by the schools. On the other hand, sometimes I feel it’s just impossible, with the resources available to them.
Until education becomes a real priority in this country (and I don’t mean political lipservice), I don’t see it changing. At least, not in time for our kids to benefit.
I hope for the sake of your daughter, that I’m wrong. I think she’ll get what she needs because you’re an active participant in her education. She seems so sweet, it breaks my heart she has to work so hard.
Differentiated instruction is very key. I would fight for that.
I always enjoy your feedback. I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t be too strong an advocate for your child in this regard. I sure am enjoying what you’re learning/experiencing with this too!
Comment by Pass the Torch — October 28, 2006 @ 5:35 am
Don’t get me started on education. The best thing you can do for your kid is NOT let school get in the way of her education. But you know that, dear, right?
Could not have said that better! ;o) We sure live in a crazy, mixed-up world don’t we? But you know that too!
Comment by Therapy Doc — October 28, 2006 @ 5:38 pm
You’re so right. It’s rough for kids now-a-days. They’re so pressured to just grow up. A lot of these times they’ll never even remember… but they will remember if they struggled or got picked on by the school system. I had similiar problems growing up. Unfortunately, this “No Child Left Behind” stuff has left the system more hurt than helped. It’s a fact that people get left behind but it’s how they’ll learn to do things the way they need to do them. No one gets that. If you’re pushing the kids too hard to learn it one way, then they’ll struggle with it forever. I have math problems because I got thrown into Algebra without Pre-Algebra. (And I’m dyslexic) I gave up, so I still have to resort to counting on my fingers or sitting puzzled with a simple math task. You’re doing the best thing you can for her. My husband looks at me like I’m an idiot when I say something like “I have a half a quarter of a tank of gas in my car.” Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? Because it is. Stand up for her… my mom didn’t know much of anything when I was growing up. She grew up in a third world country. I hope the system will change soon. My husband is a teacher so I know how bad it is.
Thanks so much for sharing and commenting on this. I too am very saddened with the new government answer of No Child Left Behind and am finding it is creating the very problem more than it is solving most of the time. But it’s not a government problem so a government solution won’t work. No one can replace the parent as primary educator, or comprehend the value of stable and loving homes/families. I figure that I’m the one who decided to have children and they are my responsibility - as was stated earlier, it’s my job not to let school get in the way of her education. ;o) It is absolutely more work, but is also absolutely worth every ounce of effort.
Comment by Vicky — October 29, 2006 @ 4:23 am
[...] School Frustrations. I remember a few of my friends parents really pushing their kids to get better than “C” grades. But really, if that is average, isn’t that what most kids should be getting? [...]
Pingback by Stuff I found on the internet - November 2, 2006 - Be A Good Dad — November 2, 2006 @ 1:59 pm
[...] I really enjoyed Holly’s personal story, and you must read it, and part II. She speaks of how her daughter was failing the basic skills testing, and the teachers thought she could not learn. The truth was she was reading as well, if not better, than some of the other students. Holly was very angry, rightfully so, that the teachers and other educators had not taken the time with her daughter enough to see that maybe she doesn’t test well, but truly is learning. I am not sure of what the solution is, but testing children blindly across the board apparrently did not work in this case. [...]
Pingback by Impersonal Education requires Involved Parents. - 1SmartMom.com — November 7, 2006 @ 8:59 am
Hey Holly, I so enjoyed your thoughts, kudos for being the attentive mother you are. I made a post about this subject, and you!
http://1smartmom.com/index.php/2006/11/07/impersonal-education-requires-involved-parents/
You are TOO sweet! Ah the things we learn as mom…..;o)
Comment by Angel Cope — November 7, 2006 @ 9:01 am