Ability Grouping for Yound Children Absurd

Recently a school administrator asserted that in new revised Kindergarten standards whole classes lesson should be ended and ability grouping should be implemented.  That is right, one beast for another

How sad, misguided and just plane ignorant are the pronouncements of  this educator.  Lets see, the last time I reviewed NAEYC standards and guidelines the strategy of ability grouping for early childhood ucation programs was soundly rejected. 

Rather than ability grouping, child learning style, interest, experience and temperment are to be used as a basis for planning and implementing activities for young children.  Clearly, so called ability criteria assumes that young children can accurately be sorted into groups that learn better or worse than other students of similar age.  This assumption simply lacks research support.

On the issue of disgarding the use of whole class lessons.  Again, ignorance seems to prevail.  While exclusive use of whole class teacher directed lessons is generally unacceptable it is possible to conduct occasional whole class lessons provided the teacher builds and ephasizes self directed activities.  It is essential that any activity reflects the interest, experiene, learning style and temperment of participating children.

What is supported by scientific research is a set of best practices guidelines that presents the most accurate undestanding of how children learn and grow.  In this caseit is the education leader that needs inservice and not the classroom teachers.  Thank goodness the teachers in this situation spoke up and questioned the assertions of misinformed education leaders.

It is my opinion that the  success of early childhood education today requires competent teachers supported by equally competent adminstrators, curriculum specialist and parents.

Preposterous, but...

Today, I learned that the recurrent twenty five percent more or less of middle and high school students tested and scoring below basic for reading and math skills now demonstrate a basic or higher level of competence.

Now, where are the jobs and pay scale reasonably expected by academically successful students.

I am assured that many slightly higher than minimal wage jobs exist.  I am so delighted to hear such good news.  Also, note that what business people really want is a large pool of workers that lowers the cost of employment.

The crazy bottom line for the above crazy scenario is that we might one day have millions of average or better educated people with poor job prospects.

I guess crackers taste the same whatever street corner you are sitting on. 

Get a good education anyway.

The Numbers Say We Have A Reading Problem: So, What is new?

nd

Kids That Can't Read: Why, Why, Why?

Certainly, a whole barrage of reasons can be given for so many students reading below proficient level.  I offer three possible reasons.

1. Often, non-readers come from disfunctional families.  These children do not know the who, what and where of their existence.  Learning to read is a distant something or other.
2. The prospect of injury to self over powers the potential excitment and esteem building power of discovery through reading.
3. Most assuredly, self concept and self esteem suffer. What emerges is a hardened mind and soul awash with faulty knowledge, dispair and a fading future.

So there you have it...what a god awful mess.

Limitations of Virtual Relationships

Frequently, I hear people hawking the wonder of virtual this and that...

Virtual is almost, but not real.  Their can be no substitute for in the flesh, real time engagement with persons, places and things.

Sorry, absolutly nothing more needs to be said!

About Firing, lacks good sense!

The world is focused on the summary firing of eighty eight (perhaps more) teachers and administrators. 

Administrators could have avoided the rancor and protest and simply closed school, interview old and new teachers, hire the best for the job ahead, and reopen in the fall.  So much for could have, should have...

That said, someone or all people involved in the firing should review their style, professional judgement and plain good sense. 

Most likely, the community is now divided, angry and likely will abstruct much needed change.  Again, students
are the loosers.