Rigor!
Iowa will not allow third graders to pass from third grade to fourth grade unless they can pass a standardized test. The pressure to read has moved down to kindergarten.
“Kindergartners at Hubbell Elementary School in Des Moines no longer have time set aside to play — or to take a nap. Recess, too, has been shortened to 30 minutes a day. Like many schools across Iowa, the state’s push for education reform has set higher expectations that are placing more pressure on teachers and students.
“Now, 5- and 6-year-olds are expected to know their letters and numbers before they start kindergarten. And by the spring, they are supposed to be able to add and subtract numbers up to 10 and read words such as “school” and “food.”
“We are the new first grade,” said Micaela Tuttle, a kindergarten teacher at Hubbell who’s taught for 10 years.
“This year’s kindergarten and first-graders are garnering special focus because of a key part of Iowa’s education reform law: third-grade retention.
“Starting in May 2017, students who are below grade level in reading by the spring of third grade will be required to repeat the grade.
“However, they may enroll in a summer reading program to progress to fourth grade.”
One in four third-graders are unlikely to pass the test.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
“…the state’s push for education reform has set higher expectations.”
Please let’s not give into the rephormers’ language. Ridiculous expectations are not “higher”, they’re just ridiculous.
“Kindergartners at Hubbell Elementary School in Des Moines no longer have time set aside to play — or to take a nap. Recess, too, has been shortened. . . ”
That is wrong, dead wrong. WhoTH are the SADISTS that inflict this crap on innocent children. Whoever made that decision should be taken out back and . . . !
These policies are also on NC, who blindly followed the lead of FL, where I understand these policies have been dumped. NC doesn’t dump bad policies. We kill kids and teachers with them.
I just this morning received the link to this article from Nature – an absolute must-read for anyone interested in early childhood education:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v523/n7560/full/523286a.html?spMailingID=49112936&spUserID=ODI5MDE5ODAzMDkS1&spJobID=722047997&spReportId=NzIyMDQ3OTk3S0
The push to “academicize” early childhood education is so wrong in so many ways.
Where’s the bucket? I need to p—.
This is more than ridiculous. It’s FORCED FAILURE and CHILD ABUSE.
YES!! Yvonne, IT IS CHILD ABUSE.
What does it do to children’s love of reading if they learn that they are failures because they couldn’t read stuff that they are individually not ready for? Children do grow at different rates….particularly in early childhood they can spring all over the place.
How do you tell a child that they will no longer be with their peers in September because they failed and failed at reading? They will internalize that label…and they are not going to love reading for it.
“. . . because they failed and failed at reading?”
There’s that four lettered “F” word again. That’s one dirty nasty demeaning word that shouldn’t be uttered around children.
I have learned to hate the word “rigor”.
And I have learned to hate the word “fail”.
I don’t have a problem with the word, but we need to apply it correctly. Children don’t fail, they get failed by the adults and the systems that are supposed to protect and provide for them. I have no problem saying the rephormers are failing children.
I think the list of RheeFormer words could grow and grow and grow if we put our minds to it.
Look up rigor in the dictionary…it is a word that should not be applied to children or education
Oligarchs like Gates, the Waltons and those super greedy, ruthless hedge fund freaks should not be applied to a democracy. They should all live in Russia or a Middle Eastern Country like the one ISIS rules over.
How about rigor mortis–
This pretty much describes it all–
When someone says rigor I respond: rigor mortis ?
But who has really earned the right to that rigor mortis?
“The Disdissembler *”
Disdissembler
Unpacks crap:
“School deformer
Crap unwrap”
(after “disassembler”, a computer program that unpacks computer “machine language” (numbers) and translates it to human-readable “assembly language”.)
We need an iPhone Disdissembler app
Wanna bet they will not screen for dyslexia?
To the RheeFormers dyslexia and other learning disabilities are just an excuse. Every child must be college ready by age 17 or it is the fault of teachers. Of course this is just oligarch-fascist propaganda to create scapegoats that they can use in their propaganda to further their own goals to take over the public schools and profit off of our children while controlling the ability to brainwash them too.
I think it is definitely not the fault of teachers. The kids simply chose the wrong parents.
LOL
The same kids that say, “I didn’t ask to be born.”
No only half the kids say they did not ask to be born. The other half chose the wrong parents.
LOL That means every kid loses out on parental selection, it seems.
Welcome to the fever dreams of Jeb! Bush, Republican presidential candidate.
These horrors were spawned in his mind and in the swamps of a he Everglades and they are enforced by his henchmen who sit in charge of education departments all around the country and in Washington, DC.
He has a Think Tank at Harvard and he has been lauded as an education guru by Obsma and pretty much everyone else with power and money.
Remember it all started here and spread like a virus around the country!
Primary and elementary kids have suffered greatly under his evil schemes.
“Remember it all started here . . .”
I beg to differ, Chris. I’d say it all started with the Jebster’s brother, Georgie the Least, and his “Texas Miracle”. See Haney’s “The Myth of the Texas Miracle” at http://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/article/view/432
By the way, folks, if you’ve never checked out the EPAA site you should.
I would argue that they were almost simultaneous but George used his reforms to pass NCLB. Jeb continued experimenting at the state level and went nationala s a reform expert. Iw ould have ro do some research but it seemed that Texas focused more on high schools and Florida got punitive with primary and elementary from the get-go.
Either way both have been quite destructive to public education. God, we don’t need Bush, Obomber, and another Bush in a row.
“One in four third-graders are unlikely to pass the test.”
And the INSANITY CONTINUES!
All due to one simple common logical misperception-that one can ‘measure’ the teaching and learning process so accurately that ‘the test’ can determine what a child knows, can do, has done, etc. . . .
Why are so many so ignorant (or blissfully stupid) to that logical fallacy????
The pro public education crowd will continue losing this battle until all stand up, resist and fight, refuse to implement such absurdly educational malpractices that are educational standards and standardized testing (the basis of the supposed ‘measuring’ of student learning and of the teaching and learning process itself).
Quit playing the edudeformers nefarious games. Deny’em data.
Here is what happens when schools push educational goals down a grade level: Affluent parents will hold their kids back a year until they are developmentally ready. The kids will stay with the stay at home Moms or alternately, attend “Gift of Time” school. Less affluent parents may have no choice but to send their unready kids to school and start early on their path to failure.
There are also middle-class parents who complain their child is “bored” because they are so advanced and K isn’t challenging them. I think children are bored because they want to play.
I’ve taught in the primary grades for over a decade. Sadly, what surprised me the most in this post was that they still get thirty minutes of recess. I would kill for that!
I wrote this a few months ago to show the struggles that my now-former students have when they hit the testing grades, and how even taking my kids to recess at the “wrong” time is risky and dangerous in public schools these days. https://undercoverbat.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/going-rogue/
And spoiler alert, a month later I lost my job. I still don’t have a teaching job for next year, and at this point don’t expect to. The test prep teachers all kept their jobs. And the cycle continues…
Retaliation for you, and abuse for those babies. I weep for all of you.
It’s becoming the norm everywhere now, read forums for Kinder teachers across the country. I’ve been teaching Kinder for many years. Every year our standards get higher and higher. We now teach abstract concepts like money and time. We do teach number sense anymore or patterns which used to be our prime focus. The students we have are required to read 40 words per minute fluently by the end of the year. Some children, especially those who have had No experience with print before really struggle. They used to be emergent readers, now they are considered at-risk. It is expected they come in knowing it even though there is no universal Pre-k. Crazy.
The problem with universal Pre-K is that those classes will focus so much on academics that those little ones will never get a childhood. When the candidates say “universal high quality preschool,” I know that means academics and testing. I’m glad my children are older, but I’m terrified for my little nieces and nephews. It’s like we’ve gone back to the 19th century, where children were expected to be miniature adults. It explains the struggles with social skills that many of my middle school students are beginning to show.
I do understand that, but if they don’t have that instruction today they are already behind on Day One of Kinder. They have to come in knowing letters and sounds to be successful and that doesn’t usually happen at home in the average family. It’s the same thing I tell people when they say we shouldn’t be teaching what we are in Kinder-if we don’t then because of the higher standards that are affecting every grade level, they will be behind in 1st Grade. I could shut my door and let my students play and nap, etc. but then they wouldn’t be ready academically.
You’re in a disaster either way, Kindergarten teacher, because aren’t many of them not “ready,” anyway? At least not to the standard that the oligarchs want? My oldest son absolutely refused to learn to read until he was 6. His birthday’s in May, so he was 5 most of his Kindergarten year. Sometime in first grade, it clicked and he was off. He reads everything now, at age 17. But forcing him in preschool or kindergarten would have probably destroyed his love of reading.
And this was a kid who knew all of his letters by age 2 1/2.
This is an example of more ignorance being forced on schools for political reasons. Forcing down the curriculum is never a good idea. Those in charge may be doing more harm than good as children develop at different rates. We need to nurture and cultivate development, not as a lock step process, but as an organic one. Pushing too hard too soon has the potential of creating “kindergarten burn-out.”
My nephew, who just finished first grade, already hates school and thinks he’s stupid, because of the extra long school day and academic push he had to endure this year. He’s barely 7.
This is so sad. I am very concerned as my grandson enters kindergarten this year so full of hope and excitement.
someone should do a study on the rise of homeschooling. I personally see it exploding in my affluent suburb. I imagine because there are smart stay at home moms who can handle it and afford it, but not wealthy enough to afford the elite private schools even if they re-entered the workforce and became a 2 income household. The story about how “kindergarten just isn’t the same” or that the schools “can’t recognize and work with learning differences” are common themes. And they all start off their explanation of why they decided to homeschool with, “I was a product of public schools, I moved to this town for the highly rated schools, and the notion of homeschooling never crossed my mind, until…”
Julie – I am that mother. I was also a public school teacher at one time. I never ever thought I would homeschool until…
The daughter of a friend is considering home schooling her kindergarten child due to the increased demands of kindergarten. This mother has a M.Ed. in early childhood education from NYU. Her school district is a highly rated one in Long Island. We are losing public school students due to bad policies.
Homeschooling can be successful. I always admire the parents that can pull it off. But I also get far too many homeschooled students woefully behind and experience classroom shock. I’ve had more than one student in tears because they cannot pass the state test or GED and parents tell me “but they got all A’s in homeschool!”. Then the parents are mad at the teachers because I can’t pull off a miracle and raise a student from 4th to 10th grade skills. Usually, the homeschooled kids are the ones needing the most intervention. Trying to deal with a learning challenge like autism is tough enough as a parent, let alone as a parent-teacher.
Regarding homeschooling . . . I also taught, both public and private school, and had my children in public school for several years before I finally pulled them out. There are already many studies about the rise of homeschooling. Try Peter Gray, Freedom to Learn, for a start.
So very sad….when do kids get to be kids? Certainly not in preschool or kindergarten. Well maybe kids only learn by play for 18 months these days….
No wonder our kids are stressed and tired of school by 6th grade.
“I never was a boy; never played at cricket; it is better to let Nature have her way.” – John Stuart Mill reflecting on his hothouse education.
I guess we ought to be thrilled that at least they get a daily 30-minute recess, when so many kindergartners get none these days. The American Association for the Child’s Right to Play (and, yes, apparently we do need such an association) estimates that 40% of US elementary schools have eliminated recess. Most of this, of course, is so kids can focus on “academics.” Never mind all the research showing that both the body and the brain need breaks in order to be productive.
I am an Iowa parent and can tell you this part of our state’s Early Literacy law is very unpopular. We would love to see it gone! Punishing kids in this way does not lead to positive outcomes. I am also a founder of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa. The same law that provides this retention clause does have a good screening clause which identifies struggling readers early. However, our teachers and schools are now overwhelmed by the number of kids who need reading help. They simply don’t know what to do. The predominant reading strategies used in schools are whole language – ie look at the picture, look at the first letter of the word, read the sentence without the word, and take a guess. Our group is passionate about getting good, solid reading instruction for Iowa’s children, both dyslexic and not, before they fail! If teachers can begin teaching kids how to decode words, syllable types, blends, etc in K and 1, the retention law may be a moot point. We will keep fighting.
Thiis is not Whole Language but the publishing companies’ whole language rip off. I was at a text book trade show with the Goldmans and witnessed this from the beginning.
Yes, this. For one thing, Whole Language is specifically developed to be developmentally appropriate. Nothing about this is developmentally appropriate.
Does the law call for the specific screening of dyslexia? Screening for reading problems is not the same thing.
Cruel, cruel, cruel! When will they ever learn!!!!!!! As it has been stated numerous times:
Retention is the most harmful tool in the arsenal of educators! Early childhood educators have spoken out against pushing the curriculum down including first to K.
When medical researchers publish a finding, we listen; we had better or most of us would be dead by now.
But when brilliant psychologist publish their research it is ignored. Some psychologist compare the destructiveness of retention to that of a death of parent.
The govt. imposes a teaching approach onto the students which hinders real leaning and then punishes the students when their memory blows a fuse. My five year old grandson thrives on the “learn by doing”/the interactive approach. The last day of “Invention Camp” he told his parents, “This was the best day ever!” His sails are still filled with the joy of creating and the memory of his supporting, caring leaders/teachers.
Retention is more ignorance from those that make policy decisions. These legislators need to read the research before they use their power. If they expect teachers to teach using “evidence based” methodology, shouldn’t they be held accountable for their actions? At the very least they should have to consult some experts in the field of education so we stop reinventing bad ideas as we flush students’ lives and our tax dollars down the toilet.
Scott said parents will hold their children back a year before sending them to Kg. Those who can’t afford to keep kids home an extra year, send their Kids. These kids are likely to be held back in kg – totally setting them.up.for failure.
This has been going on for years in Missouri. A large amount of kids are 6 years old before entering Kg. Our kg’ners have had 30 min/day recess for years now, with no nap breaks and many have no play centers in their classes.
The only way I can see change happening is if parents start attending school board meetings and demanding developmentally appropriate practices for their kindergarten children. Administrators.dont listen to the teachers anymore, but they will listen if a rowd of parents show up at the board meeting.
However, if parents are holding their children back until they are 6 years old, those parents may not have such a problem. I believe even the older kindergartens benefit from play and exploration and they learn more when they are actively engaged. I taught Kg and first grade for 27 years. I just shut my door and did what I knew was right for the kids. I always had very happy and appreciative parents.
It is unfortunate that those halcyon days of autonomy are gone. Now politicians want to micromanage everything. They want to set teachers up for failure to harm public education. They show little concern for our young children that are in the middle of this mess.
In my county in FL, they tried this over 10 years ago. The results were that we had special classes for 3rd and 4th graders who had failed and were in 3rd or 4th grade for the 3rd or 4th time. The practice finally ended when the superintendent discovered there were over 200 sixteen year olds in 8th grade, and there were 18,19, and 20 year olds in 10th, 11th and 12th grades. They decided they could no longer hold students back for failing FCAT.
As a middle school teacher, I would be horrified to have 16 year old 8th graders. I would be worried for the emotional and physical safety of the 13 year old 8th graders.
Does they park their cars- in the teachers’ parking lot?
When I was at junior school (1950’s, in the UK) there was this boy who didn’t learn to read until he left school at 15. What fixed it was that he then got an old motorbike, and found that you had to be able to read the manual. He cracked reading in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, a lot of “hands on” courses (shop, art, etc) have been eliminated from schools.
Recently, I have been involved in a boat-building class with at-risk kids which has done wonders not only for their cognitive skills (reading and following directions, measurement, math, etc) but also for their self-esteem.
The current laser-like focus on math and reading (eg, with Common Core) with a de-emphasis (and even exclusion) of other subjects is very misguided.
For some kids, particularly those who find the test-driven memorize and regurgitate methods most difficult, the alternative approaches are actually far better avenues for learning math and reading.
Unfortunately for these students (and others), current school “reform” is being run by folks who are woefully ignorant about the teaching and learning process but nonetheless believe they are experts. That’s a certain recipe for disaster.
Crazy! So destructive! Those responsible should be held accountable and serve their time. 200 sixteen year olds in 8th grade!!!!!!!!! I am surprised that they didn’t form a gang
and break out of school. Where are they today? 20 year olds still in high school! Do they have any sense of self worth left?! This sounds too bizarre to be true! But this is what researchers warned about years ago.
Katie,
Whole Language is a thing of the past. Look at the following page and see what the interactive/ experiential/contextualized/ Constructivist approach looks like:
http://maryidefalco.com/reading%20site%20reconnected/reading__language_arts_primary_teachers_2/16.Guided_Rdg__At-Risk.html
Decoding is only one aspect of reading.
“Iowa will not allow third graders to pass from third grade to fourth grade unless they can pass a standardized test.”
http://www.alec.org/model-legislation/the-a-plus-literacy-act/
Chapter 7 of the ALEC “standards” – NC also follows this playbook.
Dear Concerned Mom,
Take action; form an army; take down the Walls of Jericko!
It boggles my mind that we have such ignorant people in the Iowa state legislature. One requirement running for office should be intelligence and willingness to listen to authorities in the field .
I have a page on my web site listing numerous studies about the evil of retention. Can’t anyone in authority take the time and effort to do a little research about the harmfulness of retention?!
If the schools in Iowa had a good reading program – not what CC mandates via present standards-and the necessary support service, students would work up to their potential- what more can you ask.
We need to forget about administering a standardized test to the third graders.
Virtually all specialists condemn the practice of giving standardized tests to children younger than 8 or 9 years old. We are the most over- tested country in the world. Finland gives one standardized test during their academic career.
Threatened Out West,
Embarrassed- Do!
Politicians have come with yet another way to “prove” that public schools “fail.” And children are the collateral damage to political ideology and to corporate greed to get money via charter schools. The politicians don’t care about the clinical facts of developmental readiness or about the tears children will shed and the frustration parents will experience. Total immorality on the part of “God-fearing” political hypocrites.
Reblogged this on David R. Taylor-Thoughts on Texas Education.
I operated a developmentally appropriate preschool i upstate rural NY. When NYSED introduced free UPK I was offered a “collaboration” with local school district which required me to put these 3 and 4 year old children (babies) on a bus 3X year, transport them to the schools computer room where they would take the computerized STAR reading test. I refused this “collaboration”. And by collaboration I really mean a “back-door-deal” which was illegal. I closed my wonderful program that year, cannot compete with free. Parents almost always choose free, regardless of quality.
Same experience in Utah. I taught in a public school preschool program that was supposedly doing research on pushing down the literacy standards for kindergarten into pre-school. The program had multiple problems, aside from being developmentally inappropriate. But my biggest concern was the safety of the children who were forced to play on outdoor equipment meant for larger students, sitting at benches for eating in which the space between table and seat was so large the young children couldn’t see their food with out standing. Children could easily fall between the table and bench and did. They did not use our regular age cut offs which meant that we serviced 2, 3 and 4 year olds in the same room. Working with multiple age groups was not the problem. The problem was that our young two and three year old children needed to nap. This was strongly discouraged by the administrators of the full day program. By state law, 2 year olds are required to have a nap in a separate room for sleeping and the must sleep on a mat or cot at a minimum of 21/2 inches off the floor. 3 year olds must be allowed to nap but no requirement exists for a separate room. They must however be off the floor on mats or cots. No cots or mats were provided. No separate room was available. In fact these small children slept on towels on our carpeted floors. I do not know how the others rooms were, but my room had mold in the carpet on one section of the floor due to the sink ans sand/water table. We also removed several dead mice from underneath the furniture. I am sure they wandered the room at night.
I was totally taken back by how poor the program really was. We had parents lying about their addresses to get into the program because it was free.