Step into the future with us. Our love of technology and belief that technology will solve our education problems and challenges is entering a new phase. 1:1 computers are the rage. Implantable chips are starting to appear. You are aware that pets are routinely chipped to help identify them and return them to their owners. Out of that technology has come implantable microchips for humans. A story at NPR explains how thousands of Swede's have had a chip implanted to simplify accessing facilities and making purchases. They can hold medical information and social media profiles. In the name of convenience your chip helps you live better. In yet another NPR article we learn of a Wisconsin … [Read more...]
Kindergarten Teachers Are Quitting, and Here Is Why
We've been pushing for less testing and pressure on kindergartners for years. We've asked for more play time only to be told that districts hands are tied due to regulations and implications of less "seat" time. Following is an article that does a good job summarizing the problems our education system has/is caused/causing. The question is...will parents do anything about it? The article was published at Psychology Today - author is Peter Gray. Last month, I posted an article describing the stand that kindergarten teachers in Brookline, Massachusetts, took in protesting the policies imposed upon them from above—the excessive testing, dreary drill, and lack of opportunity for playful, … [Read more...]
The hidden costs of Washington State Legislature mandates on school districts
Some readers may think we bash school districts and Board Directors with little to say that's positive. It may seem like that at times given the apparent failure to accept input from the public. However...today we side with school districts in a specific area...the unfunded costs of mandates in several areas. The Washington State legislature, in its zeal to satisfy the State Supreme Court's McCleary ruling, decided that school districts needed to do two (2) things: Change Kindergarten from a choice of 1/2 or full day to Full Day Decrease the size of classes in the K-3 grades On the surface those may seem innocuous. However, like most things, the devil's in the detail and … [Read more...]
Is NPR Pushing Propaganda about the Benefits of Preschool?
If you've been following our blog you've seen the materials we've shared about the costs and impact of pre-K programs. We've told you about the cost, how it's a way to start gathering data on your child, how they begin pushing learning too early, how children are not allowed to be children, how by 3rd grade it's almost impossible to tell who went to pre-K and who didn't...all of this and how some additional information. Today we bring you a story from Intellectual Takeout (Annie Holmquist) where she shares some information about NPR's apparent attempt to convince parents pre-K is good by leaving out information. You be the judge. The other day, NPR published an article on … [Read more...]
Answers to common questions parents have about kindergarten
Came across an article that offers summaries of several studies that may be relevant to parents with children coming into the kindergarten age range. The original article can be found at: Edutopia The first thing parents should be aware of, in Washington State, is the existence of the WAKids program. This is a State mandated program that requires the teachers to conduct an "assessment" of each child and enter data into the child's file. This is the beginning of a life long school record that will ultimately be given or sold to private companies to use. What parents don't realize is: YOU CAN OPT-OUT Are there benefits to "diverse" schools? Schools can be integral in … [Read more...]
Why Not Full-Day Kindergarten? Here’s Why….
Full day kindergarten.... Starting in this coming school year, in Washington State, all children are required to attend full day kindergarten....whether the parents think their child should or not. No matter whether the child's development stage...no matter their interest...the State has determined that ALL children are the same. On top of this is WAKids...a program that requires the teacher to conduct an "assessment" of each child and enter the information into the students record. This begins the public schools documenting, tracking and assessing your child...for the rest of their school life. But back to full day kindergarten. We believe the parent should have a choice and not be … [Read more...]
Delayed kindergarten dramatically reduces ADHD in children
From The Inquisitir - author is George Zapo Delaying kindergarten enrollment for one year shows significant mental health benefits for children, according to a recent study. Researchers found that a one-year delay in enrolling a child in kindergarten dramatically reduces inattention and hyperactivity at age seven. Researchers found that children who were held back from kindergarten for as little as one year showed a 73 percent reduction in inattentiveness and hyperactivity compared to children sent the year earlier, according to this new study on kindergarten and mental health. Stanford’s Graduate School of Education offered a news release about the new study published in the … [Read more...]
Enter “Baby Common Core” with New Head Start Performance Standards
From Truth in American Education - author is Karen Effrem The federal government continues its long march to ensnare more of our children in its tentacles at an ever-younger age. “Baby Common Core” has reared its ugly head. Head Start, the failed but lavishly funded federal pre-K program, recently released its new Program Performance Standards. These standards are the yardstick by which Head Start programs nationwide will be evaluated. Chief among the many problems with these standards is the cementing in section 1302.32 of the mandate occurring 11 times in the federal Head Start Act of 2007 requiring that all curriculum be “aligned with [or “based on”] the Head Start Early … [Read more...]
Teaching “self identity” in Kindergarten – the Battle Ground School District – What’s your district doing?
On June 10th we sent an email to the Battle Ground School Board (BGSB) Directors regarding the State of Washington's directive to begin addressing "self identity" in kindergarten in the 2017 school year. In this letter: Email_BGSD_Directors_June102016_Self-Identity_KG we tell them we will be attending their meeting on June 13th to ask the questions posed (in our letter). We also provided a copy of the document from Washington State that defines what needs to be taught at each grade level: WA_State_HPE-Standards_2016 On Monday June 13th at 2:27pm we received an email from the President of the BGSB which contained the following: From: Monty Anderson (President of … [Read more...]
Delayed Kindergarten enrollment reduces ADHD in children
From The Inqusitir ... Delaying kindergarten enrollment for one year shows significant mental health benefits for children, according to a recent study. Researchers found that a one-year delay in enrolling a child in kindergarten dramatically reduces inattention and hyperactivity at age seven. Researchers found that children who were held back from kindergarten for as little as one year showed a 73 percent reduction in inattentiveness and hyperactivity compared to children sent the year earlier, according to this new study on kindergarten and mental health. Stanford’s Graduate School of Education offered a news release about the new study published in the National Bureau of … [Read more...]