Standardized Testing

By Emily Arms, Ph.D
Mar. 29, 2010

Thirty years ago, American school children spent two or three days a year bubbling in answers on standardized tests.

Today, children in some school districts spend as much as 18 days per 180-day school year on standardized testing.

And that’s not counting teacher-developed spelling quizzes, book reports, and unit tests.

In short, US public school children are tested more than ever, and at younger and younger ages.

This testing is, in part, fueled by the accountability measures built into the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation of 2003.

And the testing mania shows no signs of abating, despite the fact that most measurement experts would agree that testing very young children — kindergarteners, for example — rarely yields valid or reliable data.

What is a parent to do? The first step is to become informed and know your rights.

 

Find out what type of test your child’s school is giving and what it measures.

 
There are basically two types of standardized tests: norm referenced and criterion referenced. They each yield different information.

The test score your child earns on a norm-referenced test like the California Achievement Test (CAT) or the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) tells you how your child compares to the other children who took the test that year.

For example, if your child scores in the 50th percentile, half the children who took the test that year scored above your child and half scored below.

It does not tell you if your child has achieved certain benchmark levels of proficiency.

That is reserved for criterion-referenced examinations that do tell if your child, for example, has achieved proficiency in multiplying numbers up to nine.

 

Find out how your child’s school uses the test data.

Are your child’s test scores used to determine his or her placement in certain classes such as gifted or resources classes?

Are they used to determine whether she or he will advance to the next grade level at the end of the year?

It is important to find out how your child’s test score data will be used. Critics have pointed out that many of the most popular standardized tests are now being used in ways that their developers never intended.

 

Find out which grade levels get tested.

NCLB mandates that students in grades 3 to 8 be tested every year. In many districts, however, children are tested every year beginning in second grade.

A few districts even test kindergartners and first-graders, though critics point out that this is waste of time as most 5- or 6-year-olds can barely hold the pencil to properly bubble in the Scantron sheet.

 

Find out how much classroom time is spent preparing for the tests.

These are important things to know, as researchers have found that teachers now

spend more time than ever on what is basically a “test-preparation” curriculum. This results in an overemphasis on basic reading and math skills, and short-changes subjects like science, history, and music.

For example, some schools spend over three hours a day on reading, but only do science experiments once a month.

Middle school science teachers often get sixth graders who have never done any science because of the overemphasis on English and Math.

When you, as a parent, talk to teachers or principals, use their language. Ask how many “instructional minutes” a day are spent on each subject, for example.

 

Understand that you, as a parent, have the right to request your child opt out of the tests.

This is a little known, but very important, fact. School districts are required by law to inform parents of this right, but it’s not widely advertised.

There have even been cases where principals have pressured parents to not opt out because their child’s score is needed to bring up the school’s overall ranking.

 

Source: Family

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Protecting Your Kids From Sitters

Father Memorializes Daughter

Pope’s Palm Sunday Mass

‘Letters To God’

Scientists Solve a Murder Mummy Mystery

by Laura Leigh Davidson
Mar. 8, 2010

What killed King Tut? Historians and scientists have long believed that ancient Egypt’s most famous king was probably murdered.

But a recent scientific study claims to have found a different solution to this more than 3,300-year-old mystery.

A team of researchers now say that King Tut, the boy ruler, died of complications from a broken leg and as a result of foul play.

The team released their findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in February.

 

A Boy King

Tut’s full name was Tutankhamen (too-tahng-KAH-mun). He was just 9 years old when he became pharaoh, or ruler, of Egypt in 1348 B.C. His treasure-packed tomb was revealed to the world almost a century ago.

It made him one of the best-known Egyptian kings of all time. Tut’s burial chamber was filled with royal riches, including a solid-gold coffin, a gold mask, and piles of jewelry.

But Tut did not have much time to enjoy his vast wealth. His reign was cut short at the age of 19.

Many experts have thought that Tut was killed by one of his advisers, named Ay, who wanted the throne for himself.

But thanks to a major modern science project, it seems Ay is off the hook.

 

Science Solves History Mystery

Researchers set out to solve the mystery of King Tut’s death by using the tools of science. They began their investigation of Tut’s well-preserved mummy by conducting an autopsy, which is an in-depth medical examination to determine how someone died.

The king’s autopsy included DNA tests and electronic scans of his remains.

Scientist Carsten Pusch conducted the tests on Tut for the new study. He thinks a broken leg contributed to the young king’s death.

A scan of Tut’s mummy showed an unhealed fracture in his thigh bone. This confirms that the Egyptian leader broke his leg sometime close to his death.

The DNA also indicates that the pharaoh had an illness that causes bones to become frail and brittle.

More than 100 walking sticks were found in King Tut’s tomb. This supports the autopsy findings. Many of the sticks were well-worn, showing regular use.

“It is very likely that a bone [disease] required King Tut to use canes,” Pusch told Discovery News. “Maybe he just fell and broke his leg.”

But how could a person die from a simple broken leg?

Pusch also found DNA evidence in Tut’s remains that indicates he had malaria (muh-LAIR-ee-uh), a disease carried by mosquitoes. Malaria severely weakens the immune system.

Pusch and his fellow researchers believe the malaria and the bone disease together caused the king’s fracture to become life-threatening. Ultimately, the young pharaoh was just too weak to heal.

So the effects of disease combined with the bad luck of a broken bone—not a jealous adviser—are likely the real culprits in King Tut’s death.

 

Mummies Tell Us More

Dr. Howard Markel, a medical historian at the University of Michigan, says the study does more than solve a history mystery.

The information gained by studying these mummies could give us valuable insight into the diseases they had.

“This is very exciting that we can take modern technology and learn more about Egyptian history,” Markel told CNN. “Mummies are very powerful tools. We can learn a lot from the dead, [like] how illnesses evolve.”

 

 

TELL ME WHY

Read Mummy Murder Mystery Solved? and use what you learn in this cause and effect activity.

Download it here!

 

Source: Scholastic News

 

 

Editor’s Note: The feet of King Tut’s mummy are shown here in a photo taken during an examination of Tut’s remains in his underground tomb in Luxor, Egypt, on November 4, 2007. (Photo: Ben Curtis/AP Images).

The gold covered-coffin of ancient Egyptian King Tutankhamen is seen in this undated photo released by the Museum Of Antiquities, Basel, Switzerland. (Photo: Andreas F. Voegelin/Museum Of Antiquities Basel/AP Images).

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Fall of the Berlin Wall 20 Years Later: Remembered by Florida High School

By A.J. Plourde
YC/Staff
Mar. 5, 2010

Berlin, after World War II was separated into two Germany’s, West Berlin, and East Berlin.  A wall was erected as a border between the two that came to be known as the Berlin Wall.  20 years ago this wall came down and East and West were now once again just Berlin, and all the citizens were just Germans. 

In a small town in Florida, called Osprey, High School students at Pine Mountain school decided to take a real lesson in history.  They erected a wall on their campus that simulated the Berlin Wall and half of the students were taught on side while the rest were taught on the other side. 

The ones on the side simulating East Germany, were taught just like they were in Communist territory, with teachers playing the parts of the educators of East Berlin. 

On the other side of the wall the students were free to move about freely, but had no contact with the other side without permission to cross just as it was in Berlin at the wall.

This one day history lesson gave the students an opportunity to see what life was really like in the divided Germany’s.  Everyone in this experiment found it useful to learn from and to remind them that this should never happen again where families, friends, and relatives are not allowed to see each other because of where they lived in a city. 

This was a one day exercise and it will be remembered by all who participated. 

This type of reality teaching is good because it allows the students to really feel the part of history they are studying. 

 

For more on this see the following:

To learn more about the Berlin Wall go here: 

 

 Source: Americans Beware

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

New Program by USO Helps Military Families

By Henry Dunkelberger
Mar. 4. 2010

Military families sacrifice a lot when a loved one is overseas fighting for his or her country. The USO (United Service Organization) wants to show appreciation to those families, says Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden. Biden joined a group of volunteers to pack and ship 3,000 care packages to families with loved ones in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“I have seen firsthand just how much a small act of kindness can mean to a service member,” Biden said. Biden’s son Beau is a member of the Delaware Army National Guard and has served in Iraq.

The event at the National Armory in Washington, D.C., kicked off the Military Family Care Package program. The first packages are destined for families of 3,000 Florida National Guard Soldiers who will deploy in the coming weeks.

“The items in these packages will make life just a little bit easier for them,” said Biden. “Whether it’s a disposable camera, a grocery-store gift card, or a pre-paid phone card, for the service members serving abroad and missing their loved ones, these packages will bring some comfort, knowing that their families have not been forgotten.”

Other items in the packages include a journal to record events and memories they can share once the service member gets home, Hallmark greeting cards, and gift certificates.

Two colorful inflatable characters known as Hoops and YoYo joined in at the care package event. Designed by Hallmark, the whimsical, colorful blow-ups are highlighted on cards included in the packages.

Hoops and YoYo are aimed at bringing smiles to the faces of kids missing a loved one.

Kids can also help show appreciation to these families, Biden told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

“You can find out who are the military and the National Guard families in your neighborhood so you could maybe take over a movie one night and popcorn,” she said. “Or you can help your mom bake cookies and take them over to the family.”

The USO is a bridge between the American public and the U.S. military, both in times of peace and war. Currently the USO can be found in more than 130 locations around the world, including Kuwait and Afghanistan. For more information about the organization and how you can help, check out the USO website.

 

Source: Scholastic News Online

 

Editor’s Note: Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden stuffs care packages at the USO Military Family Care Package event on February 24, 2010 at the DC National Guard Armory. (Photo: USO Photo by Mike Theiler)

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Should You Be Allowed to Discipline Other People’s Kids?

By Logan Ward
Mar. 2, 2010

When it comes to disciplining someone else’s child you don’t want to offend the kid’s parents, but if his behavior is dangerous or harmful you can’t simply ignore it either.

“It’s not intruding on another parent’s turf when you’re protecting your own child,” says Michele Borba, EdD, a Parents advisor and author of No More Misbehaving’: 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them. Still, the right response depends on the circumstances — we’ll tell you how to respond here.

 

Playground Bully

Your 3-year-old is drawing with sidewalk chalk when two 5-year-old boys ask to borrow some. You give them a few pieces, but then they return asking for more. Your son says “No,” but they pull the chalk away from him.

What you’re tempted to do: “You want to say, ‘Hey, stop that — don’t you kids know better?'” says family therapist Hal Runkel, author of Scream Free Parenting: the Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool. But if you lash out, Runkel cautions, you’ll only scare the children and put their parents on the defensive.

What you should do: “Your first step is simply to make your presence known,” says Dr. Borba. “Often, that’s enough to stop aggressive behavior.” If it isn’t, address the boys calmly but sternly:

“We don’t grab things from other people. Somebody might get hurt.” Let them know your son is happy to share his things, but they need to share too — and to stop grabbing. If their behavior continues, put the chalk away and head for another area of the park.

When Ellen Morris’s 5-year-old son, William, was being pushed around by an older child at a playground near their Louisville, Kentucky, home, she felt she had to intervene. 

“I said, ‘Fighting is not okay,’ then asked the boy nicely to play in another area, which he did,” says Morris.

 

Bad Play date

Your 4-year-old daughter’s friend bosses her around during dress-up, hogs all the toys, and then refuses to help clean up the mess she made.

What you’re tempted to do: Put her in a time-out or send her home.

What you should do: Your house, your consequences. Right? Well, yes, but restrain yourself — maybe your little guest is just having a bad day.

Reiterate the rules (“In our house we take turns, and everyone cleans up her own mess”), then offer a reward (“When you’re done cleaning up, we’ll have cookies and lemonade”).

If she still won’t play nicely, you might try having the kids play separately for a while and see whether that helps. Steer clear of time-outs unless you’ve gotten the mom’s permission to give one.

Even then, save it for more egregious behavior, such as when a child is throwing toys or being defiant. If necessary, ask if she’d like you to call her mother to see whether she has any suggestions (the mere threat might change her tune). Be up-front about the problems at pickup: “We were having a little trouble with getting along and sharing today.”

In most cases, a visiting child will want to win your approval. Christy Majors, of Waynesboro, Virginia, hosts play dates all the time for her kids, Tess, 6, and Max, 3.

“When someone misbehaves, I talk to them at eye level and treat them with respect,” she adds. “Kids know when they’re being dealt with fairly, and they’ll usually cooperate in return.”

 

Biting

Your son comes home from class with a bite mark on his arm from another child.

What you’re tempted to do: Confront the child’s parents, and shoot off an angry e-mail to the teacher.

What you should do: Preschools exist in part to help children learn which social behaviors are acceptable and which aren’t. Hitting and biting are common at this age.

Although that doesn’t make them acceptable, your son’s teacher is the right person to handle the problem.

Feel free to set up a conference where you can express your concern: “Would you please keep an eye out when our son plays with Max, so this doesn’t happen again?” Also, make sure the teacher has spoken to the boy’s parents.

There’s no reason for you to contact them directly, though, unless you’re friendly with them and feel that not mentioning the incident would be awkward.

 

Bad Table Manners

While having dinner with your family, your daughter’s 5-year-old friend eats her Mac ‘n’ cheese with her fingers.

What you’re tempted to do: Tell her to use a fork — she’s old enough to know better.

What you should do: Hold your tongue. “Give kids a little leeway with certain kinds of manners,” says Daniel Buccino, a clinical social worker at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, in Baltimore.

The child’s bad table habits might be the result of her cultural background, or she could have a manual dexterity problem. By overlooking the poor manners, you’re teaching your children to be gracious hosts.

But if the sloppy dining leads to truly bad behavior, like throwing food or belching intentionally, it’s fine to (gently) correct the child. Later, praise your own kids for using their utensils and eating properly, so they’re not confused by the apparent double standard.

 

Dirty Words

Your 8-year-old nephew starts teaching your kindergartner dirty words, and your brother doesn’t notice (or pretends not to).

What you’re tempted to do: Cover your child’s ears, and scold your potty-mouthed nephew.

What you should do: Calmly ask the boy to clean up his act. Say, “You’re older, and it’s not appropriate to use these words in front of Matthew.” This will make the child and his dad aware of the problem without offending anyone.

When they leave, talk to your child about the naughty words: “We don’t use that language in our family. Those words can upset people, and they’re inappropriate.”

 

Passive Parent

Your friend’s daughter constantly interrupts your conversation, but your friend ignores this impolite behavior.

What you’re tempted to do: Tell the child she’s being rude, and then suggest your friend teach her some manners.

What you should do: Address your friend, not her kid. “Ask, ‘Do you need to go help Lauren? Because I’d be happy to continue this conversation in a few minutes,” says Peggy Post, coauthor of Emily Post’s The Gift of Good Manners: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, And Considerate Children.

This is a subtle but clear way to send the message that you’re frustrated by the behavior and feel she should correct her child.

 

When You Lose Your Cool

The playmate is out of control. Kids are spilling drinks, throwing toys, and fighting. Finally, when one child leads your son up the outside of the stair railing, you yell at them to get down — now. And when they don’t, you send them to separate rooms.

An overreaction? Probably. But what’s your damage-control strategy? “My advice is the same as it is for wayward politicians,” says social worker Daniel Buccino. “Disclose all, and do it early.” Call the child’s parent right away and give your side of the story:

“Kyle and Joey were climbing the stairs on the outside, and I was scared they might fall and get hurt. I spoke sharply to them and gave them time-outs. I realize I lost my cool, and I just wanted you to know.” Fess up, and chances are you’ll get sympathy on the other end of the line.

Keep quiet, and you risk having Kyle complain about Joey’s mean ol’ mom when he gets home.

 

6 Discipline Strategies for Other Kids

Follow these guidelines when you’re in charge of someone else’s kid.

• Tread lightly. Don’t ever spank or yell, even if the child does something dangerous or destructive. Your goal is to correct his behavior, not to punish him.
• Plan ahead. Discuss the rules with the child’s parent (for example, how much TV she can watch and what she can eat for a snack) and agree on consequences in advance.
• Explain your expectations. A child isn’t likely to obey boundaries unless you set them. Take a few minutes to go over the house rules: “No running or playing ball indoors, everyone must share, and toys go away when you’re done playing with them.”
• Let the little things go. If a child knocks down a block tower or doesn’t say thank you for the homemade cookies and lemonade you made, don’t correct him. Remember: Every parent has a different set of expectations about acceptable behavior.
• Don’t embarrass her. Never discipline a child in front of her friends. Address her as part of a group: “I can see everyone’s tired of playing this game. Let’s all take a break and sit down for a snack.”
• Accentuate the positive. When you have to remind another child to share, clean up, or stop throwing things, make a point of praising your child (in private) for being good.

What’s your take on disciplining other kids?

 

Source: Parents

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Poem for Claire

by Dr. Laura
Mar. 1, 2010

I get many letters, I would like to share this one from Barry and I welcome ones from you.

 

Dear Dr. Laura:

I was a participant in an unwanted, unnecessary divorce…because my wife wasn’t ‘happy.’ I have 3 minor children who, despite my tremendous efforts to the contrary…only get to see me 7-10 days a month.

I do everything I can to remain in their lives so I might display to them the importance and value of good character, good values/morals, and integrity….

For Valentine’s Day, I wrote my 5 year old daughter a poem. I’m not a poet by any means. I’m your basic manly man.

These words simply came to me in the half-hour it took to write them down. In it are references to many things we do as a family….I thought you might like to read it:

 

A Poem for Claire

A poem for Claire is what I will try.

I hope it turns out – ya see, I’m only a guy.

There are jobs that I have-

One is being your Dad.

Out of all of the jobs

That one makes me most glad.

We do things we like

And some we don’t mind.

I’m pleased that you’re nice

And so warm and so kind.

I tell you I’m serious

But you know that I’m not

We’re both very silly

And we smile a LOT!

We sit out in back

And look at the clouds

You see shapes I don’t see

You make me so proud.

Walking to school

Is always so fun.

It’s been so cold lately

We can’t wait for the sun!

You fiddle with your homework.

Maybe a snack instead?

But each night we read

Just before time for bed.

I love when we play

You’re so very special

We dance and we laugh

Now it’s time to WRESTLE!

We cuddle on the sofa

Watch TV at night.

But we don’t watch a show

That might give you a fright.

We make up games to play

Sometimes go for a hike.

But what you like most

Is riding your bike!

You play Dan-Ball and Rock Band

And sometimes the Wii.

”Daddy, come look!

Come here! Come see!”

I’m busy in the kitchen

Moving fast there to here.

You’re the first and the loudest

During our dinnertime cheer.

I miss you dearly

When we’re far apart,

But I’ll always remind you

I’m in your head and your heart.

The message is clear

In this poem you hear.

Your Dad loves you greatly

And I will always be near.

I want you to know

You’re my best Valentine.

I will ALWAYS be yours

If you will be mine.

I love you.

Dad

You’ve made me a better man, Dr. Laura. I thank you.

 

Source: Dr. Laura

 

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

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