One Thing's End is Another Thing's Beginning

A special thanks to all of my classmates who I joined on our journey through Early Childhood Development.  I wish each and every one of you nothing but the best!

The Youth of Our Nation

There is a quote I found on Pinterest that I absolutely adore and wish more parents understood it...

"If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money."

- Abigail Van Buren

Assessing Your Students

I have always been a firm believer in removing standardized testing or at least the pressure they cause at the least from the school systems.  Children should not be measured based on their ability to answer questions correctly on a lengthy pencil and paper test.  Over the years, multiple studies have been published challenging the old school thinking that standardized testing is the best way to measure a child’s knowledge.  Standardized testing does not set everyone that takes the test up for success.  As an educator, I feel as though a child should be measured based on all of their abilities.  Allowing a child to choose their form of assessment gives them the opportunity to succeed.  Some children do well on paper and pencil tests, where as others do better constructing with tools, and other children may do well acting out or creatively sharing what they know.    It comes down to ensuring that every child is able to be successful in life. 

My husband’s family is from the Netherlands and his father was an educator there years ago before moving to the United States.  I often have discussions with my father-in-law about the differences between the education system in the United States and in the Netherlands.  At the end of the elementary school years, Dutch children take a test called Citotoets (Cito test).  The results from the test and the teacher’s advice, along with the child’s interests and abilities are “used to help determine which type of secondary education [the children] will enter” (www.expatfocus.com).  From research and personal conversations with my father-in-law it seems as though in the Dutch education system standardized testing is not as commonly practiced as it is in the U.S.  Children are assessed at the end of the primary school years and secondary school years in order to determine their next step in the educational system. 

I would like everyone to remember that you have to know your students well and give each one of them the best chance to do well and succeed in life.  You are preparing them not only for making it through your classroom but also getting them ready to be productive members of our society. 

Reference 

Expat Focus.  (2000-2013) The Netherlands (Holland) education and schools.  Expat Focus.  

          Retrieved April 13, 2013 from http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-netherlands-holland-

          education-schools