[Grovenet] Opinion wanted

[Kristy Gravlin]

And I have to agree with Marian...test scores are not necessarily a good
indicator of how well or how much a child is learning. Kids just are not
"widgets" that can be measured to be sure that they are exactly the same as
the next widget. The number of factors that can and do influence learning at
any particular moment is all but infinite.

A child who loves learning will learn...no matter if locked in a dark closet
for the day. A child who is attempting to deal with hunger...or divorce...or
nervousness...or a medical condition...or an intriguing experiment about how
long it takes a pencil to roll down the desk top...will not be able to fully
learn from the best of teachers and/or settings.

It's a challenging profession! But very rewarding too!!
Kristy


On 3/20/08 12:59 AM, "Marian Cakarnis" <marian at coho.net> wrote:

> My daughter is in 3rd grade in the FGSD and I also watch the test scores.
> But I would NEVER select a school based on test scores alone!  I do want my
> daughter to get a good education, but there is so much more to education
> than what is measured by math and reading tests.
> 
> I always come back, to what I want most for her.  What I want most is for
> her to be a happy adult.  Her happiness will have a lot to do with her
> self-esteem, and therefore I need to be sure she is given every opportunity
> to learn and progress.  Yet, music, art and social environment all
> contribute to a solid education and there aren't any test scores that
> measure this.  One of my favorite parenting books is: 'The Childhood Roots
> of Adult Happiness' by Edward Hallowell.  In the book, I remember something
> about "not every Yale or Harvard graduate is a happy person" - in fact, some
> of them are miserable.
> 
> Would I like my daughter to go to a prestigious university someday - yes,
> but only if it is what she really wanted and if it was right for her.  So,
> how much difference do test scores really make?
> 
> While reviewing her school papers today, I noticed her math homework is
> pretty similar to what I learned 40 years ago in 3rd grade.  The methods are
> a bit different, but are kids really learning more math?  Do the test scores
> reflect that they are learning more?  I don't think so.  They have more to
> learn, because the world is far more complicated than it was 40 years ago.
> But none of this other stuff is measured.  Many good schools teach a lot
> more than basic math and yet the scores can't reflect on many of those
> intangible values.
> 
> The test scores don't tell the whole story and the validity of the scores
> and what they mean is pretty vague.  The important thing to me, is that she
> learns every day at school and develops into someone who loves to learn.  If
> she has the support, to develop this love for learning, I feel she can be
> successful and have a fulfilling life.
> 
> My random thoughts....
> Marian
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
> Behalf Of chuck
> Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:32 PM
> To: Forest Grove local interests list
> Subject: [Grovenet] Opinion wanted
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
> Over on the Forest Grove Live board, I had a reader submit the following
> question.  And since I know the good people here will have lots of
> opinions :)  I thought I'd post it here as well.
> 
> I can transfer the commentary back the the board, or if you like you can
> comment yourselves - anonymously too if that is your wish...
> 
> www.forestgrovelive.com
> 
> The question....
> 
> "Recently moved to Portland and have been considering living in Forest
> Grove for the small town. However my research of the schools has me
> thinking I need to stay away for the sake of my children's education.
> Would love to hear other's opinions vs. what the test scores show"
> 
> thanks
> 
> chuck
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