Usually it is my friend Aaron Adams who writes this sort of rant… but I’m compelled to comment on this flyer sent home with my youngest child earlier this week. He attends Post Middle School in nearby Arlington, WA.
I’ve noted that this school seems to be obsessed with preparing their students to pass the WASL almost to the exclusion of all else. I understand the fear the school’s administration and teachers have of this particular test, as in many ways it is an objective assessment of their performance as well as their students. But…
HOW can they send something like this home to the parents of the community and expect any respect or support?
Seriously? I always hear educators whine and complain about lack of funding, lack of respect, lack of adequate compensation, etc. I can understand their concerns, but for every step forward, they fall two back with efforts like the above.
PTSA making the flyer wouldn’t you think? they aren’t teachers – but I guess it is an example of how good their education was… 😉
we have had a new system (NCEA) of grading school kids for the last 4-5 years here and it tries hard to never fail anyone (or show up the really bright ones) and has had a lot of flack from parents and teachers alike – certainly produces results at the end of the year that are hard to work out what is going on as a parent … let alone an employer…
I think mankind generally is going through a ‘cotton wool era’ of covering everyones butts (from the CEO’s to the school kids) from really knowing what happens when you make a mistake in the real world…. hopeless system…
Jerome
I’d visit the school and do a little calm screaming.