11 January 2006 - Our Public School Experience
I should have known something was up when we went to register. The principal took me into his conference area and very seriously explained that they'd have to test my daughter to make sure she was on the 2nd grade level. I looked concerned for a moment, but he clarified that it would be the 'end of first grade' test for reading and math. I laughed at that. He wasn't amused.
The first week went by smoothly, mostly excitement and trying to adjust to the public school schedule (I never did manage that for some reason). The following Tuesday things hit a sour note. My 7yo brought home a stack of graded papers that were literally covered in purple (not red!) markings. So much that you could barely see the work my dd did. Every mistake was circled and corrected and the number and letter grade was written at the top.
My dd cried when she saw the D's and F's. I will admit that it upset me to see her so bothered. Who in the world grades 7yo children so harshly? Well, to answer that, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, that's who. They are extremely strict on small children to have perfectly formed letters, perfectly spaced words and the biggest thing of all: YOU MUST WRITE EVERYTHING IN A COMPLETE SENTENCE. Everything. Even if the question isn't in a complete sentence! And you will get the problem wrong if you don't answer in a complete sentence. Even if you got the answer right!
Now what kind of logic is that? It made me realize that grades don't mean anything at all. She would get all the answers right on her science and social studies papers, yet she would get a D or F because of grammatical errors. I don't remember being graded that harshly in college!
Anyway, I thought, well, she's just getting used to things. It will be better next week.
Ha. Ha. Ha.
Comments
11 January 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by eyecorn
Oh, my...how terrible for your daughter (and the other children at that school)...their tender hearts don't need that harshness at such a young age. The photo of your children is precious!
Michelle
27 January 2006 - Not suprised
Posted by homeskool
I must say this doesn't really suprise me (Saddens me, angers me, frustrates me, etc, but not suprises). In public school it is form over substance. If things look good (test scores are up, drop out rate is down, etc), what is really happening (teachers teaching to the test, students not learning to read, etc) is unimporant. The most imporant thing is for your daughter's paper to look good. Hogwash. As a thankful second generation homeschooler, keep up the good work!!!
1 February 2006 - My kids started out in public school
Posted by BrooksideAcademy
Then we homeschooled. When we moved 'to the country' they tried public school again, as I was working full time and we thought it would be better/easier for all of us. HA! The one thing learned was learned by me, and that is no matter what else is going on in our lives; They will ALWAYS learn more and better at home.
30 March 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mommylori
Your poor daughter, I am so glad you are homeschooling again. I look at my neice in kindergarten and I am so glad we made this decision, she goes to school full time and has about an hour of homework a night! When I was in kindergarten we played sang songs and colored, I think the only homework I had was what to bring for show and tell.lol
1 April 2006 - a little abt us
Posted by quietcajun
We have been hs ing for 9 years and thisyear sent a few of our children to ps
Long story short.... we have grown even stronger in our convictions that our children belong at home. Your story has added to that belief!
14 May 2006 - Happy Mother's Day
Posted by mamma1420
Hope you have a day filled with blessings, hugs and kisses!
