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The New First Grade:
Too Much
Too Soon?Written by Peg Tyre
Newsweek
Presented by Kimberly Barnhart
The New First Grade:
Too Much
Too Soon?Written by Peg Tyre
Newsweek
Presented by Kimberly Barnhart
Story of Ashlyn Aske of Oakland, California
Story of Ashlyn Aske of Oakland, California
•Bright Child, Age 5
•Neighborhood School had a great reputation
•By November, Ashlyn wasn’t measuring up. She could not read the 130-word list.
•Ashlyn began to cry when trying to finish her homework. “I just can’t do it, Mama.”
•Mom, Tiffany, began volunteering in class
•Distraught at what she saw:
• Kids falling asleep at 11 a.m.
•Other kids were struggling also.
•Bright Child, Age 5
•Neighborhood School had a great reputation
•By November, Ashlyn wasn’t measuring up. She could not read the 130-word list.
•Ashlyn began to cry when trying to finish her homework. “I just can’t do it, Mama.”
•Mom, Tiffany, began volunteering in class
•Distraught at what she saw:
• Kids falling asleep at 11 a.m.
•Other kids were struggling also.
Why are Kindergarteners and First-Graders being Pushed So
Hard?
Why are Kindergarteners and First-Graders being Pushed So
Hard?
No Child No Child Left Behind Left Behind
by golly!by golly!
No Child No Child Left Behind Left Behind
by golly!by golly!
Our child is the
brightest child ever
born!
You must meet the You must meet the TESTING STANDARDS TESTING STANDARDS to get your funding!!!to get your funding!!!
You must meet the You must meet the TESTING STANDARDS TESTING STANDARDS to get your funding!!!to get your funding!!!
ResultsResults•“First taste of failure before they learn to tie their shoes.”
•School is more like an SAT prep—focused on testing.
•Curiosity and life-long learning are no longer emphasized.
•Politicians calling the shots. Are they qualified to do that?
•Arts and sciences take a back seat to literacy.
•Parents sending kids to school at an older age so they can “get a jump on the competition.”
•Pressure is now shifting to even younger groups like pre-schoolers and even infants.
•“First taste of failure before they learn to tie their shoes.”
•School is more like an SAT prep—focused on testing.
•Curiosity and life-long learning are no longer emphasized.
•Politicians calling the shots. Are they qualified to do that?
•Arts and sciences take a back seat to literacy.
•Parents sending kids to school at an older age so they can “get a jump on the competition.”
•Pressure is now shifting to even younger groups like pre-schoolers and even infants.
What Teachers and Principals say
What Teachers and Principals say
•Teachers must balance between requirements of the state, the expectations of the parents, and the highly variable needs of the children.
•“Teaching to Test”
•“Too much testing too early…sucks the soul and spirit out of their children.”
•So much emphasis on early grades, higher grades are suffering.
•Social and emotional development are just as important as ABCs.
•Behavioral problems result from frustrated students.
•Teachers must balance between requirements of the state, the expectations of the parents, and the highly variable needs of the children.
•“Teaching to Test”
•“Too much testing too early…sucks the soul and spirit out of their children.”
•So much emphasis on early grades, higher grades are suffering.
•Social and emotional development are just as important as ABCs.
•Behavioral problems result from frustrated students.
Solutions?Solutions?
Great Britain—Experienced burn out, going back to basics.
Chattanooga, TN—Magnet school with slowed down approach.
Both are successful and passed the same proficiency tests.
Great Britain—Experienced burn out, going back to basics.
Chattanooga, TN—Magnet school with slowed down approach.
Both are successful and passed the same proficiency tests.
ConclusionConclusion
They are only children!
They are only children!
Pressure on testing leads to anxiety.
Pressure on testing leads to anxiety.
Stress is Stress is not not
conducive conducive to learning.to learning.
Stress is Stress is not not
conducive conducive to learning.to learning.
Social and emotional
Social and emotional
needsneeds
must be met.must be met.Social and emotional
Social and emotional
needsneeds
must be met.must be met.
A child’s work is through
play.
A child’s work is through
play.