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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
DS is in 3rd grade, so first year for the state tests.
He had an event at school tonight and ... long story short, I confirmed that from now until the tests they will not be doing ANY SS or Science AT ALL - in class AND homework.
I admit I am biased (I taught high school SS for 9 years) but really, I'm just as p*ssed about the Science portion too. These are the subjects that really teach the analytical skills. It's geography. Economics. How the body works. How the earth works. Animals. Ecosystems. Governments. The world around us and all its systems. All of these things are apparently less important than a f*cking test that means nothing.
If someone has any words to calm me a little then that I welcome, but I am not really interested in a debate.
I am mainly interested to hear how common this is and if anyone has any advice on how to start/support a strong opt out movement, which my district doesn't really seem to have but apparently needs.
TIA
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Posted 2/7/19 9:01 PM  |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
I'm curious to hear what others have to say bc I'd be pissed too. My oldest is only in first so I don't have personal experience. I think my first step would be looking up the learning standards fir those subjects and seeing if they have or will be addressed.
As for opting out, I'd make sure simple opt out instructions are all over fb. Write and share a form letter parents can use. Our superintendent does robocalls with instructions but I'm guessing most districts don't make it so easy.
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| Posted 2/7/19 9:18 PM |
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Cruisin
LIF Infant
Member since 2/16 253 total posts
Name:
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I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
It is so frustrating. My DS is in 4th, we are a ‘state test refusal’ family. Just wait until the test gets closer- reading comp packets and math packets for homework for days. It is insane and stressful. There is minimal science and social studies as it is, we don’t need to remove any more of it! (Especially when there’s the state science test in 4th. I am allowing him to take that at this point as I’ve read up on it being different).
I find in my district many parents are uninformed about the tests. When I casually started bringing up the topic with some parents in the grade- everyone had their opinion on the tests... either taking it or not. It was interesting to hear but sometimes caused a debate.
Are you in the FB group ‘Long Island opt-out info’? Great resource
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| Posted 2/7/19 9:28 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4430 total posts
Name:
Karen
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I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
I would be going to the Board of Education and Superintendent and asking for an explanation. This should not be the norm as these kids now are learning what is on the test already, so there is no need to teach to the test unless they are not following state curriculum. As far as social studies and science, I also believe there is a state curriculum that they must complete for each grade. I have a daughter in 3rd and they do social studies and science on alternating days throughout the year.
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| Posted 2/8/19 10:12 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9508 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
I am not sure how I would feel. My daughter is in third and gets services for reading and math and a lot of the time she is pulled out during other subjects like social studies and science. I was upset about this but I was told that reading and math really are the most important subjects at this age. So I am not sure how upset I would be that they are spending extra time on the areas that are probably the most important developmentally at this age. It's too bad they can't incorporate the reading material from social studies, and do some of the math oriented science topics instead of eliminating them altogether for the next two months....
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| Posted 2/8/19 10:52 AM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19453 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
I am in NJ and our kids get special subjects plus they study a little bit for the tests. I am sorry your district does not do that too. But with the above said, I feel it is my job to expose my kids to science and social studies. We get science kits and do them together at home. We go to museums, aquariums, science museums, and historical sites. I try to enrich my children's educational opportunities on our time.
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| Posted 2/8/19 12:33 PM |
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
my first grader gets ZERO science and ZERO social studies. I think this is so wrong. As a teacher myself, I know our education system has completely exploded and it's going to be very hard to recover any of the pieces.
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| Posted 2/8/19 12:45 PM |
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by lululu
I am not sure how I would feel. My daughter is in third and gets services for reading and math and a lot of the time she is pulled out during other subjects like social studies and science. I was upset about this but I was told that reading and math really are the most important subjects at this age. So I am not sure how upset I would be that they are spending extra time on the areas that are probably the most important developmentally at this age. It's too bad they can't incorporate the reading material from social studies, and do some of the math oriented science topics instead of eliminating them altogether for the next two months....
I'm sorry but you are putting too much faith into the system lol. I have a masters degree in childhood education and I know for a fact that since this is the most important developmental time, the whole child should be addressed. Social and emotional included. Math is NOT the most important subject at this age, it's just tested the most. If all of a sudden subjects X,Y & Z were being tested... believe me, Math would fly out the window and not be taught again either. It's not right. Reading is important. I feel like that is a fundamental skill and it's hard to learn math, science, social studies, or anything without reading... but besides that... nothing is "most" important. Life is important. They should have a well rounded education. Sorry for my rant, I'm so sick of the system lately!!!
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| Posted 2/8/19 12:50 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by BaysideForever
Posted by lululu
I am not sure how I would feel. My daughter is in third and gets services for reading and math and a lot of the time she is pulled out during other subjects like social studies and science. I was upset about this but I was told that reading and math really are the most important subjects at this age. So I am not sure how upset I would be that they are spending extra time on the areas that are probably the most important developmentally at this age. It's too bad they can't incorporate the reading material from social studies, and do some of the math oriented science topics instead of eliminating them altogether for the next two months....
I'm sorry but you are putting too much faith into the system lol. I have a masters degree in childhood education and I know for a fact that since this is the most important developmental time, the whole child should be addressed. Social and emotional included. Math is NOT the most important subject at this age, it's just tested the most. If all of a sudden subjects X,Y & Z were being tested... believe me, Math would fly out the window and not be taught again either. It's not right. Reading is important. I feel like that is a fundamental skill and it's hard to learn math, science, social studies, or anything without reading... but besides that... nothing is "most" important. Life is important. They should have a well rounded education. Sorry for my rant, I'm so sick of the system lately!!!
 
So well said.
I am beyond fed up with it too and my Dd is only at the very beginning.
I hate this county's education system
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| Posted 2/8/19 1:28 PM |
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BriBri2u
L'amore vince sempre
Member since 5/05 9320 total posts
Name:
Mrs. B
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I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
I live in one of the top districts for public schools in NYC. We pay for our children to attend Catholic school. There are several parents in both our children's grades that work for the Board of Ed in our school (be as teachers or as v-principals/principals) and they have their children in catholic school because they believe the curriculum is much more rounded than the public schools. My DS is 8 and LOVES Science class and learning about history. He enjoys what is being taught in class and in the science lab. I have people who comment that they wouldn't have their kids in Catholic elementary in this neighborhood because we live in such a great district, so we should be saving for HS tuition. However, to me knowing that my children are getting taught other subjects besides math and reading daily, is worth it. What is one hour of science and social studies once a week or every other week? What are they going to remember when they get to HS with that little exposure?
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| Posted 2/8/19 2:17 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
We live in a top school district. We haven’t even heard anything about the state tests (DS is in 3rd). We do a lot of Math and reading/writing year round. We do get homework despite a no HW policy.
I know we have tons of Science and SS especially in the Spring with zoo/nature center field trips and events for the kids (international “travel” stations with passports, etc).
Sorry. I’d be annoyed too.
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| Posted 2/8/19 6:02 PM |
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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
I would also be. I live in a good district in NYC. My DS goes to public school and has been taking the tests since 3rd grade, but they always teach to the curriculum, not the tests. They give them additional work sheets to work on if they want to. I agree that they should be learning science, social studies, PE, music, art, not only math and reading. I would be pissed.
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| Posted 2/8/19 9:21 PM |
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Loveme
LIF Adult
Member since 6/11 3170 total posts
Name:
Me
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I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
DS isnt in a testing grade yet (1st) but I do know they do some science weekly. He comes home and tells me all about it since he loves it.
His K teacher last year told me that they incorporate SS and science into their reading and writing lessons, but they definitely don’t get taught as much as say we used to years ago. It’s frustrating and will only get worse!!
Message edited 2/8/2019 9:31:10 PM.
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| Posted 2/8/19 9:30 PM |
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ChilisWife
God Bless America
Member since 5/05 3570 total posts
Name:
A.K.
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
This is one of the main reasons why I opted my son out of these tests when he was in elementary school. The teachers all had to "teach to the test" to make sure kids got good scores because it directly reflected on the teachers. So, there was only focus on math and reading. It bothered me a lot that my son wasn't getting a well rounded education of all subjects but there is not much I could do about it other than to show that I didn't support it by opting out.
These state tests and the consequences of them have changed a bit since then and from what I understand, they do not affect teachers performance evaluations etc.
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| Posted 2/9/19 9:58 AM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Thank you for listening and I'm glad I'm not alone. I didn't know if my bias was getting in the way (I taught SS for 9 years.)
I am going to look into the groups suggested.
As his mom, I definitely agree that I am his teacher first and foremost. However, I am not interested in or able to homeschool and I am not an expert on every subject. I work full time and on weekends sports and family obligations take up a lot of our time so I can't always get to museums and such. So yes, I have expectations for my local school district, which I pay plenty in taxes for. Obviously it's not going to meet my expectations.
Fortunately I'm off for about 7 weeks in the summer so hopefully I can give him that enrichment then.
In the meantime I am going to do all I can to encourage opting out in my district to send a message, like some of you mentioned.
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| Posted 2/9/19 2:08 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9508 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by BaysideForever
Posted by lululu
I am not sure how I would feel. My daughter is in third and gets services for reading and math and a lot of the time she is pulled out during other subjects like social studies and science. I was upset about this but I was told that reading and math really are the most important subjects at this age. So I am not sure how upset I would be that they are spending extra time on the areas that are probably the most important developmentally at this age. It's too bad they can't incorporate the reading material from social studies, and do some of the math oriented science topics instead of eliminating them altogether for the next two months....
I'm sorry but you are putting too much faith into the system lol. I have a masters degree in childhood education and I know for a fact that since this is the most important developmental time, the whole child should be addressed. Social and emotional included. Math is NOT the most important subject at this age, it's just tested the most. If all of a sudden subjects X,Y & Z were being tested... believe me, Math would fly out the window and not be taught again either. It's not right. Reading is important. I feel like that is a fundamental skill and it's hard to learn math, science, social studies, or anything without reading... but besides that... nothing is "most" important. Life is important. They should have a well rounded education. Sorry for my rant, I'm so sick of the system lately!!!
Actually I was told that Reading and math are the most important at this age because without reading and math you really can’t do well in most other subject areas. To me, that does make sense. Like I said thou why not make the reading passages related to social studies topics? Can’t they be integrated? I don’t believe in teaching to the test but I do believe in integrating all the subjects and showing how they relate. There are science topics that can be taught alongside their math counterparts, for example my daughter is in third grade also and doing fractions. Certainly there are a lot of science topics that include the use of fractions. However, I went to a humanities based high school where we studied history, literature, art and music all together so that we were studying all the aspects of the time period at the same time. I find that approach to learning to be the most beneficial. But this is getting way off topic...
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| Posted 2/10/19 7:27 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17789 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by nycgirl
We live in a top school district. We haven’t even heard anything about the state tests (DS is in 3rd). We do a lot of Math and reading/writing year round.
Sorry. I’d be annoyed too.
Same.
DS has a social studies test tomorrow. He’s been doing math and writing but no state tests have been mentioned.
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| Posted 2/12/19 9:16 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by ali120206
Posted by nycgirl
We live in a top school district. We haven’t even heard anything about the state tests (DS is in 3rd). We do a lot of Math and reading/writing year round.
Sorry. I’d be annoyed too.
Same.
DS has a social studies test tomorrow. He’s been doing math and writing but no state tests have been mentioned.
Same here. I haven't heard a word about it to be honest. I want to opt her out but I don't even know when it is. Maybe as it gets closer we'll hear more?
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| Posted 2/12/19 9:26 AM |
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by ali120206
Posted by nycgirl
We live in a top school district. We haven’t even heard anything about the state tests (DS is in 3rd). We do a lot of Math and reading/writing year round.
Sorry. I’d be annoyed too.
Same.
DS has a social studies test tomorrow. He’s been doing math and writing but no state tests have been mentioned.
Same here. I haven't heard a word about it to be honest. I want to opt her out but I don't even know when it is. Maybe as it gets closer we'll hear more?
It's probably on the school calendar for the year.
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| Posted 2/12/19 12:22 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by Straightarrow
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by ali120206
Posted by nycgirl
We live in a top school district. We haven’t even heard anything about the state tests (DS is in 3rd). We do a lot of Math and reading/writing year round.
Sorry. I’d be annoyed too.
Same.
DS has a social studies test tomorrow. He’s been doing math and writing but no state tests have been mentioned.
Same here. I haven't heard a word about it to be honest. I want to opt her out but I don't even know when it is. Maybe as it gets closer we'll hear more?
It's probably on the school calendar for the year.
Probably. I remember at open school night the teacher glossed over it so quickly- it was almost like she didn't want anyone asking any questions about it.
But what I mean t was, DD hasn't been sent home with any prep or packets or extra homework nor have they stopped teaching science and social studies like other posters have mentioned.
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| Posted 2/12/19 12:30 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17789 total posts
Name:
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Re: I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by Straightarrow
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by ali120206
Posted by nycgirl
We live in a top school district. We haven’t even heard anything about the state tests (DS is in 3rd). We do a lot of Math and reading/writing year round.
Sorry. I’d be annoyed too.
Same.
DS has a social studies test tomorrow. He’s been doing math and writing but no state tests have been mentioned.
Same here. I haven't heard a word about it to be honest. I want to opt her out but I don't even know when it is. Maybe as it gets closer we'll hear more?
It's probably on the school calendar for the year.
Probably. I remember at open school night the teacher glossed over it so quickly- it was almost like she didn't want anyone asking any questions about it.
But what I mean t was, DD hasn't been sent home with any prep or packets or extra homework nor have they stopped teaching science and social studies like other posters have mentioned.
One is early April and one is early May. I looked because of late spring break and DS teacher will be on maternity leave in May.
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| Posted 2/12/19 1:16 PM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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I am SUPER mad - help me think this through re: state test prep
Our superintendent makes a big deal about opting out and he just mentioned it for the first time this year on Sunday so there must be plenty of time!
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| Posted 2/12/19 1:45 PM |
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