Standards

As I am doing observations, I can see that classes follow the standards to the best of their abilities.  They have a schedule every day where they have time for all the parts of the core.  The main subject matter standards that are emphasized are definitely Math and Writing skills.  The early birds and later gators also focus their small group time on Reading.  The subjects that are not being addressed are health and it seems like social studies skills are mostly taught only in 6th Grade.  Science is only done rarely.

When I finished my observation this week I was able to talk to the teacher I was observing and get her feelings on Standards and standardized testing.  She stated that it was hard to follow all standards because not all standards seem to be age appropriate.  She feels they need to be refined to make them better for each grade level.  As far as standardized testing she feels that it is only one look at each student.  She feels that looking at students from a teachers point of view or even administrators show more of what the child is capable of.  Some students do not do well with testing but can show their understanding through other means.  The school used a Rise test which ended up having way to many glitches and ended up not being usable data.  So, we need to figure out how to show the students in the best light for their abilities.