tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.comments2023-05-20T07:24:37.221-07:00Building Successful Parent-Teacher PartnershipsNatalie Schwartzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05349336280811365190noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-81065339845738793372011-08-18T19:21:17.428-07:002011-08-18T19:21:17.428-07:00Thank you for your insightful comments. You make ...Thank you for your insightful comments. You make some excellent points. I think if schools are going to administer standardized tests, the purpose should be to help them identify areas where a student might (possibly) need extra help. I don't think they should be used for class placement or teacher evaluations.Natalie Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05349336280811365190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-91574602315992572842011-08-18T15:37:37.347-07:002011-08-18T15:37:37.347-07:00When I taught school, back in the dark ages, I tri...When I taught school, back in the dark ages, I tried to give a test every week. Some of them were short quizes; some were unit tests. How can you teach without regular testing. Every teacher I know uses tests to assess learning. Multiple choice and true-false are used to assess things that can be assessed with objective answers efficiently, so that the grader's precious time can focus on more open ended answers when those are appropriate. If the test doesn't assess what the student knows, testing is not the problem, the test is flawed. It is, as the testing industry says, an invalid test. <br /><br />Standardized tests, properly constructed and properly used, are an invaluable aid to teachers, and writing a properly constructed test requires tremendous effort. Why, then, would we want thousands of teachers to draft individual tests all over the country each year, all to test the very same skills? Surely, competent testing and curriculum experts can do a better job. <br /><br />To some extent, I fear that the rebellion against standardized testing arises from the fear that politicians, pundits, parents, and others will misuse the results of those tests to blame teachers for the news that the testing results bring. And so, instead of working really hard to use testing results appropriately, we seek to devalue tests and testing results. There are lots of children who arrive at their public schools totally unprepared to learn, and who then fail to make sufficient progress to arrive at a modest level of literacy. Let us be frank to admit that many interest groups would prefer to banish that inconvenient truth by banishing or diminishing testing. When the testing numbers are unbearably bad, we say, well, testing doesn't really tell us what they know? <br /><br />My view is that we need to continue high quality standardized testing, used primarily so that educational professionals can monitor student progress and respond appropriately. Instead of driving out testing, we need to drive out misuse of testing as a device to demean teachers and public education.Jvonkorff on Educationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17551671546697651241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-50707443331730454572011-07-19T09:29:29.872-07:002011-07-19T09:29:29.872-07:00Thank you for the wonderful post. Family instills ...Thank you for the wonderful post. Family instills the love of learning, but its the special teachers that children have through out their lives that inspire them to to continue to learn and grow. <br />Melissa<br /><a href="http://mastersinteaching.org/" rel="nofollow">Masters in Teaching</a>Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06781644680684290938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-76359623321434911542011-05-18T17:09:46.032-07:002011-05-18T17:09:46.032-07:00Wow, great post!Wow, great post!Ashleighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08564789501297137958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-49513282049946054162011-05-04T18:55:20.108-07:002011-05-04T18:55:20.108-07:00Well said Natalie! Thank you so much for your sup...Well said Natalie! Thank you so much for your support.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11132206772267097431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-72227922076773246462011-01-28T07:00:36.386-08:002011-01-28T07:00:36.386-08:00I wholeheartedly agree with Natalie Schwartz. Eac...I wholeheartedly agree with Natalie Schwartz. Each child loves to learn when inspired. Sparking their intellectual curiosity should be the true measure for success by any parent or teacher. Thank you to advocates such as Natalie who take the time to share thoughtful and appropriate reforms so that we can promote them. Her approach is always intelligent, thought provoking and positive; exactly the way we encourage our children to communicate. This approach is the role modeling that we all should consider as our children observe and absorb.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07496460316701347444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-48096991900881900082010-10-21T02:10:57.305-07:002010-10-21T02:10:57.305-07:00I read an interesting article on how conventional ...I read an interesting article on how conventional education, conventional parenting and conventional religion are shaping our lives; I thought you too would be interested in reading it. http://www.oneworldacademy.com/mainpage/gallery/publications/intelligence-and-creativity.phpArtihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04996261337972520057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-15708880909825925772010-09-24T21:32:38.687-07:002010-09-24T21:32:38.687-07:00Here's another one to consider. Speaking less...Here's another one to consider. Speaking less, avoiding unnecessary chatter, will add more weight to your words with kids. Growing up, my mother talked incessantly, bellowing out rules and regulations all day long. Soon, her voice was like white noise to us. We all stopped paying attention. My father, however, spoke less, but when he did, we knew it was something important. In your class, start the day with simple and clear instructions posted in the room. Don't say a word. Soon, some of your kids will start working. Thank those that are getting on task. Soon, everyone is on board. It's been very effective for me. When you don't have to speak? Don't. Your fewer words will start to carry more weight with the kids.<br /><br />Chris Bowen<br />Author of "Our Kids: Building Relationships in the Classroom"Badly Broken Boyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02591374493593023619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-27476984084713377672010-09-06T09:11:29.383-07:002010-09-06T09:11:29.383-07:00Thank you for your comment. I respectfully disagr...Thank you for your comment. I respectfully disagree with your contention that good teachers are rare. There are many dedicated, talented teachers who persevere despite the challenges they face. I think bad teachers are rare.Natalie Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05349336280811365190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-3252690099653734142010-05-14T13:54:24.524-07:002010-05-14T13:54:24.524-07:00LOL @ mailing in the vomit-covered test!
http://s...LOL @ mailing in the vomit-covered test!<br /><br />http://studenthandouts.blogspot.com/Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09798130971609314363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-50001951509759248892010-05-14T12:55:01.349-07:002010-05-14T12:55:01.349-07:00Oh, no! I love Suze Orman and watch her show ever...Oh, no! I love Suze Orman and watch her show every Saturday (or the next day on the DVR). I'm surprised that she's been misled by negative teacher stories to think we're all in turmoil because we're underpaid.<br /><br /><br />http://studenthandouts.blogspot.com/Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09798130971609314363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-51680750881745296622010-04-29T11:06:42.635-07:002010-04-29T11:06:42.635-07:00Thank you for your excellent suggestions, Natalie,...Thank you for your excellent suggestions, Natalie, and your efforts in broaching the subject of parent/teacher relationships. People (meant as an all-inclusive term) tend to have such rigid views and beliefs that they are unable to listen to a differing view let alone be empathic to each others struggles.<br /><br />For the sake of our country and its children's future, we must look beyond ourselves...look into those bright little eyes and take a stand for them, selflessly.<br /><br />I have yet to see that happen on a large enough scale to secure public education for all, for the future.Victoria M. Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12379851983405254363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-87536969273156399112010-03-24T10:19:17.694-07:002010-03-24T10:19:17.694-07:00It is confusing. Natalie is absolutely right in th...It is confusing. Natalie is absolutely right in that a well educated public makes for a strong social foundation and we are a social network, like it or not. What went wrong in the public education system? <br /><br />We became disconnected from each other. We can't find the time or place to stop and listen to hear the other side. Arguments on both sides have some validity. And there is not one issue in education right now that we can not solve.<br /><br />But we must start now by stopping this forward momentum that is taking us in a direction that may very well dismantle the system. We must speak out now, TODAY, with a united voice. http://www.PetitionOnline.com/eddemand/petition.html<br /><br />"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." MLKVictoria M. Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12379851983405254363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-22911661224845971312010-02-25T12:45:21.405-08:002010-02-25T12:45:21.405-08:00That is completely scary! I have a special needs ...That is completely scary! I have a special needs child who might not ever score well on a standardized test. It is not his teacher's fault or his. He works twice as hard everyday as a "typical" kids at his school in a system that is not designed for his needs and he can never succeed in. The way that he perceive information is different than other people. <br /><br />Those tests are such a joke and a waste of time! If your kid tests well then they will do well on a standardized test. Just means they test well and testing well doesn't mean that you will have the skills you need to be a successful person in life. <br /><br />The testing interrupts his routine and upset him. He is out of sorts for days during the testing. Come to my house and they will see what damage they are doing to the children they are think they are helping! They really marginalize a whole section of the population of this country. The President and the Secretary of Education should be ashamed of themselves!<br /><br />My son's teachers work very hard at getting him the best education that he can have. They have to do it in a slower and more deliberate pace to avoid him shutting down with anxiety. This valuable and child-geared education can not be measured with a test!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07008749445062650178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-11649843625089873292010-01-31T15:21:10.265-08:002010-01-31T15:21:10.265-08:00Like Sea Level, I am also a parent and veteran vol...Like Sea Level, I am also a parent and veteran volunteer in classrooms for 11 years and on district committees for another 7. I agree that there are wedges between we parents and teachers but unions alone are not to blame. The whole bureaucratic structure has left us all with misconceptions and misunderstandings that have obscured our focus and goals and left us in a state of distrust.<br /><br />When you ask for solutions, it must start with understanding. On standardized test, what purpose and function should they serve? Are they being bastardized and abused? On grants as a mechanism to fund education, do we understand the inequalities they create? On funding in general, do we want money to work towards (as Natalie suggested) providing "all children" a "high quality education"?<br /><br />For every issue, there are questions that must be asked in order to find the facts and work through the problem. Honestly, on every issue I hear discussed, I also hear the solutions being discussed elsewhere. The wedge keeps the problems and solution from finding one another. We need to remove that wedge!<br /><br />We must have an open, honest national discussion sooner rather than later. We Americans have the answers and it begins with establishing a trust and understanding of our common ground and our common goal. In this American "system", the politics has created loud static. Teachers, parents, and students (the real and unheard players in this scene), THE POWERS THAT BE CAN'T HEAR YOUR VOICES!Victoria M. Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12379851983405254363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-34249243068172839522010-01-29T06:58:36.657-08:002010-01-29T06:58:36.657-08:00Thank you so much for your insightful comment. Yo...Thank you so much for your insightful comment. You're absolutely right. Pointing out problems is not as helpful as suggesting solutions. Some of the teachers on the "Teachers' Letters to Obama" group on Facebook have offered ideas for making positive changes. I will definitely work on writing a post with constructive ideas. Thank you for the suggestion. I'm also a parent and volunteer. I think we need to hear more from the parents' perspective on education reform. Thank you for taking the time to give your point of view.Natalie Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05349336280811365190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-36634784479261417922010-01-28T23:14:09.436-08:002010-01-28T23:14:09.436-08:00I'm a parent and veteran volunteer in an urban...I'm a parent and veteran volunteer in an urban district. While I appreciate your post, I am frustrated that you do not offer any concrete solutions or alternatives. Whenever I hear teachers say that they want to be a part of a discussion on reform, I hear the unspoken word, union. If teachers want to be a part of reform, I think their very important and valued experience would be incredibly welcomed. The problem is that teachers usually come riding on the backs of the union horses, and that seems to halt open, honest communication, dialogue, and collaboration. The unions are only for the unions - not teachers, not parents, and most of all not student achievement. <br /><br />It's easy to say NO. Let's hear some ideas for how we can improve student learning. I, for one, celebrate professional development and collaborative time for teachers. Too many teachers want to be left alone to teach however they think best. That is simply not working. <br /><br />Don't like the idea of merit pay? Shouldn't workers get paid for doing a better job? If teachers need help to be better teachers, successful teachers could mentor them, and even get paid to do it. But, first you have to be willing to look under the rock and see what's there. That's what the data can show us. Use the data for yourself. Don't be afraid. Don't band together with teachers who are afraid. <br /><br />I love teachers. Everyone remembers his or her favorite teacher. My kids have had many fine teachers and a few exceptional ones. But, they've also had clunkers. We have to find a way to get the clunkers either retrained or exited. One day in a classroom without learning is sad. One year in a classroom without learning is a tragedy. Reach out. Parents are behind you. But, we are not behind unions. Unions are the wedges between us all.<br /><br />It makes me very sad that this is the situation in which we are mired. I think many readers would love you to write about some alternatives to this enigma in education. Is there a way to get out from under the threat and the power of the unions so we can really generate some new ideas in education?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136001173508686982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-29126574258133637712009-11-25T13:47:42.221-08:002009-11-25T13:47:42.221-08:00Excellent post--Behind all the humorous and wonder...Excellent post--Behind all the humorous and wonderful tales Mrs. Mimi tells is a true portrait of how well-intentioned policies take a wrong turn in the practical day-to-day life of a teacher. This is a must-read for every new teacher! Even as a school psychologist, I was able to relate to Mrs. Mimi's struggles.Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055797316639543543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-64209497042680243362009-11-12T06:44:35.698-08:002009-11-12T06:44:35.698-08:00Good blog. Timely post. First, I like the title of...Good blog. Timely post. First, I like the title of your book! Best wishes with it's continued success. <br /><br />Second, I agree with you that each student deserves a "team" and that team needs "proper equipment." At the same time, a single teacher must ultimately deal with the student who walks into the classroom or logs onto an instructional website, not with her or his "team". As certified teachers know, pedagogy exists for almost all students to exceed state minimum academic performance standards. Most teachers do not use that pedagogy. I use Jamie Escalante (as depicted in the movie "Stand and Deliver") as an example of how this pedagogy works. (I know, it's not PC to say this.)<br /><br />You bring up several interesting points about "flaws" in the proposed Obama program. That label seems definitive. <br /><br />I'd argue that these points may generate controversy, but that's the nature of politics, the mother of public policy, including about education (really about public schooling). <br /><br />Yes?The Tablet PC In Education Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09945735507146903310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-82336094137771281752009-11-12T06:25:39.508-08:002009-11-12T06:25:39.508-08:00You asked, "Is anyone happy with our educatio...You asked, "Is anyone happy with our educational system?" The laments and angst posted by many teacher bloggers and education associations make it seem like the answer is a resounding "No." Such is the process of asking for more money, etc.<br /><br />But, I'd argue "Yes," many, if not most teachers and students see good things happening in public schools, as indicated by the less than 100% stats you cite. <br /><br />A picky point about the term, "education system." The U.S. has a federation of public and private schools, not a single education system. <br /><br />Yes, some people talk about a single command and control system of schooling. They do not accept that NCLB is a voluntary Federal program that states may or may not join. In exchange for participating, states may apply for Federal funds for X purpose(s). The Federal grant requires an objective demonstration that these funds did what states promised. States use selected student academic achievement tests results as one demonstration. <br /><br />Why would parents not support these federated efforts? Wouldn't they have more influence in a federated effort than a single "education system"?The Tablet PC In Education Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09945735507146903310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-29796119343118936682009-07-16T16:35:32.257-07:002009-07-16T16:35:32.257-07:00I agree with your thought that a fair system canno...I agree with your thought that a fair system cannot be developed. I personally believe that NCLB was the best thing that happened to American public education, but it has had a few "unintended" consequences. One being test scores (in a singular fashion) to determine teacher merit pay. As you have stated, there are several factors that need to be used when determining the merit of a teacher. I even think parent evaluations, and student evaluations have to be used. But, as teacher merit pay relates to teaching students, why would a teacher want to teach at the low performing schools? It is a challenge to enter one of these schools and develop learners that can show proficiency on exams. Oh, use growth as a factor in merit pay? Then, is that fair to teachers that work at successful schools, where their students are scoring at the top of the scale? Several kinks need to be ironed out before this is presented to teachers.Coachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14547438755766692952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-59592441553419769752009-07-16T16:20:38.149-07:002009-07-16T16:20:38.149-07:00Sometimes Suze does not get it. I think that she b...Sometimes Suze does not get it. I think that she believes this but has she really spent time talking with teachers to develop a curriculum for students? I doubt it, because the teachers that I work with have very high self-worth.Coachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14547438755766692952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-10688248958706231292009-05-28T19:44:38.336-07:002009-05-28T19:44:38.336-07:00Oh, what a touching story!Oh, what a touching story!Corey Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03883689227283545602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009896576236041913.post-86987398922037414902009-05-28T05:19:37.280-07:002009-05-28T05:19:37.280-07:00Great post!Great post!Corey Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03883689227283545602noreply@blogger.com