Testing in schools

    
    Most the testing done in schools are measuring a child’s ability to do math, reading, and writing.  IQ test are measured to test intellectual aptitude or ability.   Can any single test really measure a child holistically?  I do not believe so as we have many intelligences and abilities beyond are math, reading, and writing.  So many times kids feel they are good at something because of what a test says.  I do not like that kids get so wrapped up in tests and grades.  I know for many years I felt that these scores defined me as either smart or dumb.  When we look at these scores, we miss seeing the whole child and a child can miss out at being the best person they can be.  Test do not look at children’s ability to move, socialize, create, and many more areas.

     I looked at New Zealand schools.  I have enjoyed reading how they do literacy in their schools.  As I was researching it sounds like they as well have many assessments but I like that they do not use one assessment to base a child’s grade.  Their assessments include what the teacher sees in the classroom, how the student rates their own progress as well as the formal tests.

The other thing that really impressed me was that the children have a part in evaluating and setting goals and the teacher helps facilitate this process.  The teachers even go over there standard tests with them.  I liked this as I think real learning takes place when you learn from your mistakes and you take time to evaluate what you have learned.  Also setting goals and being supported toward your goal is a huge life skill and accomplishment that children can feel good about.  Information taken from the website below:

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/Parents/YourChild/ProgressAndAchievement/AssessingYourChildsProgress.aspx

Childhood Stressors

     Chaotic Stressors

     I have a friend that grew up with an alcoholic father.  She would describe her childhood as chaotic and unpredictable.  She talks about how she was always trying to make peace in the family and found it her job to be the caretaker especially to her mother.  She also found that she would try to excel at every area to try to make everything better.  Living in this chaotic environment, she found safety in routine and schedules.  To this day, change can be hard and cause her anxiety.  She also felt ashamed and embarrasses of her father.  She was worried what he would do next and did not want him to show up at school functions.  She loved her father so she then felt guilty for having these feelings.  She learned at an early age that you do not talk about it and you always smile and act like everything is okay.  According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Buddy, 2013) one in five adult Americans lived with an alcoholic while growing up.  The effects of living with an alcoholic can last through the adult years.  As a child, my friend did go to counseling for a time and as an adult she has seek out counseling for herself.  She has worked very hard to not take responsibility for her father’s actions and not being responsible for her well-being. 

Hunger in El Salvador

     El Salvador has held a special place in my heart since I had the opportunity to visit the country during my college years.  Child malnutrition is a serious problem in El Salvador.  Two out of five children in El Salvador are likely to suffer from malnutrition.   This is a serious problem as malnutrition can case permanent cognitive, psychosocial and biosocial consequences.  There are organizations that are trying to help fight the problem of hunger.  One organization is Pizza Hut how teamed up with the United Nations World Food Program that runs Nourishing El Salvador .  They held there third marathon to raise funds and awareness for nutrition in El Salvador.  They even had local children participate in the event (Martinez, 2013) .  Another organization that is helping is  World Vision.  They are helping  25,000 girls and boys and this is through sponsorship provided by people in the United States.  The problem of nutrition is still a real factor with things like earthquakes, drought, and hurricanes affecting the availability of food (http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/6d1210430917461d8825735a007e2f2b/sponsor-el-salvador).

Reference

Buddy, T. (2013).  The effects of parental alcoholism on children. Retrieved February 1, 2014, from About.com Web Site: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/effect/a/The-Effects-Of-Parental-Alcoholism-On-Children.htm

El Salvador (n.d.) Retrieved February 1, 2014, from  http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/6d1210430917461d8825735a007e2f2b/sponsor-el-salvador

Martinez,E. (2013).  4,000 children join the Puch Marathon to support “Nourishing El Salvador”  Retrieved February 1, 2014, from http://www.wfp.org/stories/4000-children-join-puch-marathon-support-%E2%80%9Cnourishing-el-salvador%E2%80%9D