This edges on child abuse in my view

[Aunt Spiker]

So I don't know about every other school district or state - but when it comes to the early benchmark testing for kids at school my kid's school district has successfully driven children insane. . . no joke. I'm actually quite infuriated over this - and I'm taking serious action.

For about the last month pretty much all that the kid's have done is study for the test- study for the test - study for the test. Spring break came - the kids talked about the test. So - benchmark is today and tomorrow for my daughter who is seven. Just 7 years old. . . and all she could do last night - was stay up, cry and freak out.

Yep - she didn't sleep at all. I didn't sleep AT ALL - my husband didn't get much sleep either. She was a complete mess but even after being a zombie by 6:00 am she BEGGED me to let her go to school and take the test anyway even though I think sleep is much more important and that I should have kept her home . . . I told her I was going to keep her home at 2:00am because she was still awake that the poor child had a complete and total nervous breakdown.

She was excited, sick to her stomach, worried - worried that their class wouldn't' win a pizza party or the free ice cream (yes - they're bribing students with food incentives as a reward for attendance and participation as well as timely test taking - and if they don't finish soon enough or don't do well enough they won't get ice cream or pizza - twisted, if you ask me)

This district is somewhat decent - but the approach that their taking by passing on their stress over the testing results TO all of the kids and turning our children into anxiety-ridden zombies is disgusting.

I'm infuriated - 7 parents I talked to who have children in the school district ALL said their kids were SO worked up, stressed out and worn out that they had headaches, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite - a whole host of physical symptoms purely because of this stupid testing frenzy.

I'm disgusted that these standards are turning our children in basket cases when they're 6, 7 and 8 years old. . . it's unacceptable that this is what our children are being put through.

 

[Gipper]

I'd need to know more about these "standards" and the "benchmark" before I pass judgment. Are they asking first graders to decipher Shakespeare or solve quadratic formulae?

I imagine that if you add up all the studying I've ever done - grade school, high school, undergrad and graduate school - it could fit in a weekend. Hell, it could fit in an NFL game.

The problem with parents these days (well, it was a lingering problem all along) is that they don't know the meaning of average...insofar that half of children will fall under it. In addition, even "average" kids in America are being humiliated by their Asian and even European counterparts.

I used to sit in the back of the class in college, playing Ultima Online and World of Warcraft on my laptop and sleeping through A's while watching the dullards claw and scrape to stay afloat with a C. I guess it's just anti-American or too much of an ego shot to tell your kid that he's going to grow up to be a labor mule or pump jockey at the local BP. Everyone thinks their kids are destined to excel when statistics determine otherwise.

 

[MaggieD]

So I don't know about every other school district or state - but when it comes to the early benchmark testing for kids at school my kid's school district has successfully driven children insane. . . no joke. I'm actually quite infuriated over this - and I'm taking serious action.

For about the last month pretty much all that the kid's have done is study for the test- study for the test - study for the test. Spring break came - the kids talked about the test. So - benchmark is today and tomorrow for my daughter who is seven. Just 7 years old. . . and all she could do last night - was stay up, cry and freak out.

Yep - she didn't sleep at all. I didn't sleep AT ALL - my husband didn't get much sleep either. She was a complete mess but even after being a zombie by 6:00 am she BEGGED me to let her go to school and take the test anyway even though I think sleep is much more important and that I should have kept her home . . . I told her I was going to keep her home at 2:00am because she was still awake that the poor child had a complete and total nervous breakdown.

She was excited, sick to her stomach, worried - worried that their class wouldn't' win a pizza party or the free ice cream (yes - they're bribing students with food incentives as a reward for attendance and participation as well as timely test taking - and if they don't finish soon enough or don't do well enough they won't get ice cream or pizza - twisted, if you ask me)

This district is somewhat decent - but the approach that their taking by passing on their stress over the testing results TO all of the kids and turning our children into anxiety-ridden zombies is disgusting.

I'm infuriated - 7 parents I talked to who have children in the school district ALL said their kids were SO worked up, stressed out and worn out that they had headaches, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite - a whole host of physical symptoms purely because of this stupid testing frenzy.

I'm disgusted that these standards are turning our children in basket cases when they're 6, 7 and 8 years old. . . it's unacceptable that this is what our children are being put through.

I'd complain, along with those seven other parents. That's a pretty good sampling. But it just might be more of an indication of how your child and others handle stress. I guess I'd have to think about that possibility, too.

The pizza party? I think that's cool.

Studying for a test? I always did that.

 

[Connery]

I hope this answers some of your concerns and relieves some of your anxiety. The following is a place where you can begin to learn what is going on and why they are administering these tests.

From Arkansas Department of Education | Professional Development

Are all students in Grades K-4 required to take standardized tests?
Yes, all students in are expected to participate in the regular administration of the Benchmark Exams or Alternate Assessments. All students in Grades K-4 are expected to participate in the norm-referenced testing program unless otherwise specified in an IEP.

Does Smart Start require that students take standardized tests?
While there is no specific legislation mandating Smart Start, the components found in Smart Start can be found in the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP). Acts 35 and 1467 of 2003 addresses ACTAAP. The ACTAAP calls for Benchmark Exams, which are criterion-referenced tests (CRTs). These exams are customized around the academic standards in the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks and are developed by committees of Arkansas teachers. The CRT's are administered to establish the level of student achievement on the state academic standards and to compare the level of student achievement with the expected performance levels set by the State Board of Education. Arkansas will administer the Benchmark Exams in Grades 3-8.


Good luck.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

I know why they're giving these tests - I know all of that.

I also get the fervent reason behind the teacher's compulsive drilling of test conduct, ettiquette - and so on . . . but they don't realize that they've stirred these children up so much over a stupid test that they're being counterproductive. The teachers are worried about the test results because their jobs are on the line with strict punishments if their students fail - so they're passing their anxiety and stress down to every single one of their students. It's twisted.

I filed a formal complaint - and dropped into the Superintendents office today to complain face to face . . . it's not just my child - it's a lot of children having serious issues. That is NOT normal, not healthy - and I won't tolerate such extreme methods from teachers which have created this mess.

This whole entire situation is not normal for my daughter - and I'm not going to gloss it over as if it's her own personal problem when it's obvious that the teachers have been instrumental in creating this chaotic mess of a situation.

Sorry - I'm still just quite peeved.

 

[Connery]

This is the most important line (in what I provided) regarding your objections, "All students in Grades K-4 are expected to participate in the norm-referenced testing program unless otherwise specified in an IEP." Whether the teaching is a problematic, there is a need for an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or something else. Another solution must be arrived at, rest assured, this is not a unique problem.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

This is the most important line (in what I provided) regarding your objections, "All students in Grades K-4 are expected to participate in the norm-referenced testing program unless otherwise specified in an IEP." Whether the teaching is a problematic, there is a need for an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or something else. Another solution must be arrived at, rest assured, this is not a unique problem.

And IEP is a specialized learning 'program' (for lack of a better word) designed to assist kids with diagnosed invasive learning disabilities. My oldest son has an IEP - and 2nd son use to.

 

[jambalaya]

So they are allowed to study for the test? WTF? So they make these kids cram to take a test that is a benchmark for what they know or should have been learning all along? I don't get it. Since when did we start making kids study for a standardized test?

 

[Connery]

And IEP is a specialized learning 'program' (for lack of a better word) designed to assist kids with diagnosed invasive learning disabilities. My oldest son has an IEP - and 2nd son use to.

Yes, I am fully aware of what an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is which is why I suggested that you take a look at it. Moreover, it can by used in the following situation, "emotional disorders" if appropriate in this situation.

I wish you the very best of luck in seeking a resolution in this matter.

 

[ksu_aviator]

For crying out loud, it is just a test. If she's that freaked out about a test, she needs to see a psychiatrist. I take a test every 6 months and failure could lead to losing my job and will be recorded and known by any future employer. But it is just a test and if you are prepared there is no reason to be nervous. I'm not nervous because I've prepared. She shouldn't be nervous if she prepared.

 

[Enola]

Kids in china study from day one of school and never even get a spring break or be out for summer. I think. It's non stop for them. I wonder how many have gone crazy.

I think studying for a test is normal. In wagon wheel days (my era, lol), I had to study but I didn't freak out. Maybe something else is going on with your daughter?

(Not intending to be rude or unsympathetic, but it seems more is going on with her being so upset besides just a test).

 

[Aunt Spiker]

No - I'm just exhausted. . . I'm just frustrated that I'm removed from being able to really help this situation she's in, as well - the magic mommy wand looses power over time.

 

[digsbe]

They probably have the children worry because the district gets ranked by academic performance on these tests.

I don't think extensive academics is abuse though. If that's the case I should charge my university with assault due to all the time I spend studying and even with all the stuff I have going on this week and next week.

Personally, I don't think children study enough in school. But I guess it varies by district.

 

[Connery]

They probably have the children worry because the district gets ranked by academic performance on these tests.
.

That is one issues to be sure but a "one size fits all" approach should not be used in this situation with children this age. The school psychologist should be alerted to this situation and evaluate what is going on here.

 

[Fiddytree]

I saw some of this when the pressure was just beginning with the increased standard demands. It was too late for us, high schoolers, but I did see the administration use subtle threats to students who did poorly in those exams. We were essentially told that we would not get into college because schools look at it. It was a crock, but the carrot and the stick approach was used. They would feed us, and then pep us up, each morning, and then give the stick.

If enough children and parents came forward, yes, I would completely be with you, Aunt. With the increased pressure on the administration and the individual teachers, they are passing it on to the parents and the students. Sometimes passing it on too much.

If that's the case I should charge my university with assault due to all the time I spend studying and even with all the stuff I have going on this week and next week.

It would rather be more like holding your course evaluations with the same sort of standards and expectations as your final exam. Then add in the age of the student and the expectation that students in public school should not be experiencing the "I'll sleep when it's done" mentality. The child abuse idea is exaggerated, but it is quite clear it is harmful.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

On that note: What's odd - I think - is that my college courses are lightweight. Every single one of my teachers has open-notes for tests. Geesh man - public school kids are under more pressure to do well than college students? My god.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I know why they're giving these tests - I know all of that.

I also get the fervent reason behind the teacher's compulsive drilling of test conduct, ettiquette - and so on . . . but they don't realize that they've stirred these children up so much over a stupid test that they're being counterproductive. The teachers are worried about the test results because their jobs are on the line with strict punishments if their students fail - so they're passing their anxiety and stress down to every single one of their students. It's twisted.

I filed a formal complaint - and dropped into the Superintendents office today to complain face to face . . . it's not just my child - it's a lot of children having serious issues. That is NOT normal, not healthy - and I won't tolerate such extreme methods from teachers which have created this mess.

This whole entire situation is not normal for my daughter - and I'm not going to gloss it over as if it's her own personal problem when it's obvious that the teachers have been instrumental in creating this chaotic mess of a situation.

Sorry - I'm still just quite peeved.

There is an old saying. What gets measured, get done. If we decide to peg a teacher's career on these sorts of tests, then that is what they will teach our kids to do.

This sort of thing is why I am against NCLB. Is your daughter learning to think and be a better person or how to memorize and fill in bubbles? Will people be better educated if they learn rote facts, soon to forget once the pressure is off? I doubt it.

We will likely turn out less educated children as a result of this. Every class in which I had regurgitate information for a test, without the information being relevent, is the stuff that I don't recall a bit of the information today.

 

[digsbe]

On that note: What's odd - I think - is that my college courses are lightweight. Every single one of my teachers has open-notes for tests. Geesh man - public school kids are under more pressure to do well than college students? My god.

In my four years I've never had an open note test, ever. I've had regular test exams last 3+ hours (not finals). Most of my classes require advanced work and student presentations to get students to understand the material and teach others. Heck, this is the paper I have to review and make a powerpoint on tomorrow The Regulatory Mechanism of Extracellular Hsp90

I think schooling for children and college for adults can vary vastly between institutions and majors. I don't want to complain, but I'm just saying that college can be very very hard and I don't see a reason why children in school shouldn't have to study hard. It's one thing to be mentally damaging, but it's another thing to have high standards.

 

[justabubba]

So I don't know about every other school district or state - but when it comes to the early benchmark testing for kids at school my kid's school district has successfully driven children insane. . . no joke. I'm actually quite infuriated over this - and I'm taking serious action.

what exactly is it that causes you to believe that your school district is imposing a testing regimen different from other school districts in your state?

For about the last month pretty much all that the kid's have done is study for the test- study for the test - study for the test. Spring break came - the kids talked about the test. So - benchmark is today and tomorrow for my daughter who is seven. Just 7 years old. . . and all she could do last night - was stay up, cry and freak out.

i missed why this is the fault of the school district. now if you point to something showing that the school district is operating outside of expectations, that might shed some light on this (non)issue

Yep - she didn't sleep at all. I didn't sleep AT ALL - my husband didn't get much sleep either. She was a complete mess but even after being a zombie by 6:00 am she BEGGED me to let her go to school and take the test anyway even though I think sleep is much more important and that I should have kept her home . . . I told her I was going to keep her home at 2:00am because she was still awake that the poor child had a complete and total nervous breakdown.

again, i do not understand why you find the school district responsible for how your daughter is responding to the prospect of test taking

She was excited, sick to her stomach, worried - worried that their class wouldn't' win a pizza party or the free ice cream (yes - they're bribing students with food incentives as a reward for attendance and participation as well as timely test taking - and if they don't finish soon enough or don't do well enough they won't get ice cream or pizza - twisted, if you ask me)

i see the offers as incentives for the students to strive to do well
what other incentive is there for the young student to expend time and effort to perform well on the test?

This district is somewhat decent - but the approach that their taking by passing on their stress over the testing results TO all of the kids and turning our children into anxiety-ridden zombies is disgusting.

they cannot control how your child RESPONDS to the prospect of taking a test
you want to assign blame to your local school district
what have you and your husband done to give your child some perspective about the real (un)importance of these required tests, to let her know that there is no reason to be stressed about them
if you - as her parents - are unable to mitigate her stress, what is it you expect the school district to do differently which will then cause your daughter to sit for the exams stress-free?

I'm infuriated

because YOUR daughter is feeling stressed to do well on the upcoming test
and you assign the blame for this to the school district for what reason?

... - 7 parents I talked to who have children in the school district ALL said their kids were SO worked up, stressed out and worn out that they had headaches, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite - a whole host of physical symptoms purely because of this stupid testing frenzy.

wow, students apprehensive about doing well on an upcoming test. that is so unique. it deserved a chat with the superintendent

I'm disgusted that these standards are turning our children in basket cases when they're 6, 7 and 8 years old. . . it's unacceptable that this is what our children are being put through.

these standards are doing nothing to your children
how your children are RESPONDING to these challenges is
so, teach your children that stress is SELF imposed
actually, it seems you do not understand that reality, which explains why you are in no position to teach that fact to your kids

i will be surprised if your superintendent did not also ask you this question. what would you have the school district do differently to assuage your child's stress while also administering the required testing regimen?

 

[imagep]

For crying out loud, it is just a test. If she's that freaked out about a test, she needs to see a psychiatrist. I take a test every 6 months and failure could lead to losing my job and will be recorded and known by any future employer. But it is just a test and if you are prepared there is no reason to be nervous. I'm not nervous because I've prepared. She shouldn't be nervous if she prepared.

Yea but the type of test you have to take you CANT study for, you just have to lay off the drugs to pass.

 

[imagep]

So they are allowed to study for the test? WTF? So they make these kids cram to take a test that is a benchmark for what they know or should have been learning all along? I don't get it. Since when did we start making kids study for a standardized test?

I feel the same way. If the teacher would have been teaching appropriate material all year long, their wouldn't be an issue. All teachers should "teach to the test" all year long because the test should cover the material that the teachers are expected to teach. There's certainly nothing wrong with teaching the material that students are supposed to learn.

Now maybe the school system just shouldn't make such a big deal about it. I don't think it is the testing that is the issue, it's this fear among teachers that they haven't done a good job teaching and they will be outed by the test. The teachers then put all this pressure on the kids, as if just putting pressure on this will make them do better.

Maybe it should just be a like a pop-test, where not even the teachers know when test-day is and the kids could be tested any day of the year, much like a random drug test. That would keep some pressure on the teachers to teach, but maybe not so much anticipation of one specific make it or break it day.

And to echo some of the other posts, it's hard for me to imagine 7 year olds even giving a rats arse about the test. It's not like this is for college acceptance or a scholarship. When I was 7 I remember being so excited about Christmas, watching the TV specials and going out and looking at lights and it seemed that Chrismas would never come. Then one day I woke up and it was Christmas. I had actually forgotten about it for a spell and was surpised when it was finally Christmas.

 

[imagep]

Kids in china study from day one of school and never even get a spring break or be out for summer. I think. It's non stop for them. I wonder how many have gone crazy.

I think studying for a test is normal. In wagon wheel days (my era, lol), I had to study but I didn't freak out. Maybe something else is going on with your daughter?

(Not intending to be rude or unsympathetic, but it seems more is going on with her being so upset besides just a test).

I agree that she shouldn't be getting so worked up about it.

But in all fairness, back in the wagon wheel days, there wasn't as much to learn. Thats the reason why I get irritated when people complain that our schools have gotten so bad and that kids aren't learning anything. I don't think thats true.

There was not a single computer in my high school, and kids simply weren't expected to learn anything about computers. I took typing in the 9th grade and I thought that I was getting a leg up on other students, but now they start teaching typing in the first or second grade and by the time students are in high school they are creating their own mini-applications in Excel and/or Access. Computer skills are nothing special, they are required for high school graduation now.

Last night I was reading about the history of my son's college. When it first opened they only had three professors, and each professor taught a half dozen different subjects. But that was all the subjects that existed. Basically you spent a few years in college getting educated, then you decided what you wanted to be. In a typical semester students would study literature, philosophy, mathmatics, and general science. The subject of economics took all of 8 hours to cover. The same classic education qualified one to become a preacher or a doctor or an engineer or a lawyer or a teacher or a business person, and many college educated folk became all of that and more. There was no psycology or sociology or computer science or engineering or business classes.

I don't think that there has ever been a time in which students are expected to learn more than today, and never a time in history that the typical layperson has been expected to have more academic skills. Two hundred years ago just being able to read made one part of the elite class.

 

[Your Star]

I'll feel you AS. Though I wouldn't really fault the teachers, nor the principal, but the system. Teachers can lose their jobs if students don't do well on these tests, and it's just as nerve racking for them as it is for the kids. I remember having stuff like pizza parties, and ice creme parties waved in front of us if we had the best scores, or best attendance, I was never really nervous but I've always been confident in my ability in school. The sad thing is that those tests don't really measure intelligence, just your ability to memorize 6 months worth of crap. We are teaching kids to past these tests but nothing else, and success in life isn't measured by passing a standardized test. We need to properly teach them, and not pretend we are teaching them.

Also, to the people saying her daughter should stop worrying, and if she were prepared she shouldn't be nervous, and that you don't get nervous before taking an important test. You need to realize that your talking about a freaking 7 year old for crying out loud. Do you really think that a 7 year old has the same mental, and emotional capacity as you? That's silly to believe.

 

[Gipper]

I'll feel you AS. Though I wouldn't really fault the teachers, nor the principal, but the system. Teachers can lose their jobs if students don't do well on these tests, and it's just as nerve racking for them as it is for the kids.

Oh I blame the teachers much more than the system. Other than the invasion, the biggest fault I had with Bush was No Child Left Behind because of what it really was. It wasn't designed to help students. It was designed to help teachers. It didn't give tools or funds to help kids compete with the world and become more educationally well-rounded. All it did was lower standards and create a minimal bar that legally retarded children could leap over, let alone the average kid. If you put a 7th grader today vs. a 7th grader 20 years ago, ceteris paribus, the 7th grader 20 years ago would intellectually beat him into tears. So yeah, you could argue that it's the system, but only because that system places teachers that have no business being in the position they're in.

The sad thing is that those tests don't really measure intelligence, just your ability to memorize 6 months worth of crap. We are teaching kids to past these tests but nothing else, and success in life isn't measured by passing a standardized test. We need to properly teach them, and not pretend we are teaching them.

Therein lies the problem. The true "illuminati" of that age bracket realize that it's not so much what you learn, but how and why. If you determine patterns, reasoning, causation, and relativity you can expand your overall knowledge to much higher standards. Turn to ESPN sometime and watch those kids in the National Spelling Bee. Notice how they always ask for definitions and, especially, word origins. That is a valuable modicum in determining spelling. Do you think those kids sit down and memorize the spelling of infinite words from infinite locales? No.

About the only way the system could benefit is to give teachers a lot more leniency and a lot more direct input into curricula. At that point do you truly determine who belongs in their positions and who do not. It'll also give you definitive conclusions as to which kids can aspire to be pillars of the community and which are destined to ask those pillars if they want cheese on that #3.

 

[justabubba]

I'll feel you AS. Though I wouldn't really fault the teachers, nor the principal, but the system. Teachers can lose their jobs if students don't do well on these tests, and it's just as nerve racking for them as it is for the kids. I remember having stuff like pizza parties, and ice creme parties waved in front of us if we had the best scores, or best attendance, I was never really nervous but I've always been confident in my ability in school. The sad thing is that those tests don't really measure intelligence, just your ability to memorize 6 months worth of crap.

those tests measure the degree to which you have been able to absorb the material taught to you in the course of a year
what would you propose as a better way to assess where each student is academically at a specific point in time?

We are teaching kids to past these tests but nothing else, and success in life isn't measured by passing a standardized test. We need to properly teach them, and not pretend we are teaching them.

by testing the students to discern how much they have learned, doesn't that then provide an effective gauge to allow the teacher/school system to identify which students are achieving and which need additional help? doesn't such an exam help to identify the specific areas of the curriculum in which the student may require additional instruction before they grasp what is intended to be taught?

Also, to the people saying her daughter should stop worrying, and if she were prepared she shouldn't be nervous, and that you don't get nervous before taking an important test. You need to realize that your talking about a freaking 7 year old for crying out loud. Do you really think that a 7 year old has the same mental, and emotional capacity as you? That's silly to believe.

what is silly to believe is that the school system is being held to blame for the stress a seven year old girl sustains. this is where the parents' intervention is paramount to give the student a perspective about what is really important. hint: it is the actual learning and NOT the test scores which should be emphasized to any student. realizing that truth at a young age will alleviate a LOT of stress going forward during an academic career