Holly Matthews, Teacher: This is absolutely the state of kindergarten in Tennessee. The abusive nature of the SAT 10 test should also be noted, and we are required through RTI at the state level to give a universal screener, such as DIBELS (and Ive even heard STAR/AR being touted as one.) I have a degree in early childhood education and taught kindergarten for five years, but I left because I couldnt take the developmental inappropriateness of it anymore and refuse to steal the joy of learning and reading from children in this way. I know that there are many great K teachers trying to protect the kids as best they can from the madness. I went to the school library so that I can show students that reading and learning can be joyful and provide a stress-free, happy outlet for them where they can rediscover the love of reading that testing and developmentally inappropriate practice kills. Of course, in both the elementary and high school libraries where I have worked, we are often closed for testing, and this will worsen with PARCC. Last year in my elementary school library, I was pulled out of the library for two months to administer tests--thats two months without a certified librarian to work with students and teachers. I am preparing to close my high school library for 2.5 weeks in February for tests. Both kindergarten and the library ought to be a sanctuary for students where they can learn, explore, and grow, but testing touches and distorts everything.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 23:15:00 +0000
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