Nicole has a question about our readiness for PARCC

Yet another assessment test that has the teacher’s room buzzing. I am sure that everyone has heard about the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or better known by its acronym, PARCC. This test has been put together as a comprehensive exam to see if NJ schools are effectively using the Common Core State Standards. This exam is going to be implemented in NJ for the 2014-2015 school year.  However, this year the state of NJ is having an experimental test so the teachers are ready for the upcoming year.

Over the last two weeks, I have heard the 2^nd- 5^th grade teachers talking about the PARCC exams. This topic is all the buzz and has the teachers completely stressed out. The fact of the matter is everyone thinks that this test is too advanced for 4^th graders. Although the teachers believe that the material being testing is too enriched for their students, the main reason they are stressed is because it is administered on the computer. Therefore, not only do the teachers need to prepare their students for the exam material its self, they also need to prepare them to use a computer as well.

Although most students have a computer at home in my district, I know this is not true to every district in NJ. Even if students have a computer at home they still are not using it to write papers or take tests on them by 4^th grade. What are your views on this test? Do you think it will be a difficult exam to assess? Also, what if a student is struggling with the computer but knows the content, how will that affect the student/teacher/schools overall “grade”? In all, do you think this is going to be an effective way to see if NJ schools are effectively using the Common Core State Standards?

Lauren offers a new perspective on "snow days."

I recently read an article on NJ.com about a private school in Watchung, NJ that is taking a new approach to the term “ snow day”.  With the recent snow and ice storms closing many schools in NJ, some schools are choosing to hold classes virtually, substituting snow days for cyber days. The school in  Watchung has decided to use technology to teach students when the snow falls and school is cancelled. Students are reminded by their teachers to bring all essential books home the day before the storm. On the snow day, the students and teachers are to sign onto the schools online portal. Podcasts, online chats, blogs and narrated Power Point lessons are presented on that site.

Cleary, there is always a concern when an interruption is present in student learning. After reading this article I thought this was a great idea, but not so sure if it would work with the younger grades. Also this was done in a private school setting, I wonder if the public schools would be able to do something along these lines? I know from experiencing this past week, that many of the teachers in my school were complaining about how far behind they were because of these snow days. What are your views on this?  Do you agree with turning “snow days” into “cyber days”? If so,what grades do you think would benefit from this? What about the students that do not have the accessibility to a computer at home? Also do you think students and parents would approve of cyber day or is a snow day considered a “ free” day off?  

Taylor and No hablo ingles…

 My mother-in-law does not speak English. Her youngest son is four years old.   He has been classified as being on the autism spectrum. He has gone through an early intervention program as well as  ABA therapy. It is incredible to see how much progress he has made in the last two years.  I can’t help but think that his progress would be even greater if his mom spoke English. I don’t mind that she doesn’t speak that much English, however, I do think that if she did speak English she could work with her son more. He speaks both English and Spanish, however, when he goes to say, “Can I please have that?”, or “I do not want that” he will say “ I want, I want”, or “NO, NO, NO” because that’s what his mom has the ability to say.

I think it would be a good idea if there were an after school program for parents who do not speak English so that they might learn nursery rhymes the students might be learning in school or how to properly say basic phrases in order to  help their children progress in their non-native language. Colors, numbers, songs, rhymes, and book titles could all be learned, which would benefit both parent and child. Just a meeting once a week with a teacher who speaks a different language or with a translator could make a world of difference.  During these meeting times news letter and class events could be gone over as well.    My young brother-in-law was singing the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and his mom had no idea what the song was or what he was saying, because it was in English.   

I’m not sure this would even be considered by school officials, but I think it could help.  What do you think of such a program?  Should school officials consider establishing such a program?    Would you be willing to work in a program for parents during after school hours?  Do you think such a program would benefit both the parents and students, or is this just another “Change the World Daydream” of mine?    Let us know your thoughts.    

Christine and Danielle question Governor Christie's education policies

Governor Christie has recently announced his goals for education in New Jersey.  He believes that school days should be longer and the school year should also be lengthened.

In our opinion, school is already about 7 hours a day.  How much longer does he want to extend the day? Most adults work 8 hours a day and after that long day of work they are tired and exhausted.  Doesn’t that say something about how students will feel after an extended day of school?  If the school day is extended, what will happen to extracurricular activities?  Does the governor expect students to play sports in the dark during the winter months?  The governor believes students will perform better on tests if the school day and school year is longer.  Everything comes down to the tests.  What about the learning that takes place throughout the day?  Doesn’t that count for something?  Also, if the school year is lengthened, children will be in school during some of the hottest months of the year.  If that is the case, wouldn’t extra money be needed in order to install air conditioners in every classroom? 

Do you agree or disagree with Governor Christie? Do you think this lengthening of the school day and school year will happen in New Jersey?