SAGE Testing

I do not believe in giving standardized tests to elementary students.  I think we should leave it up to the teachers to assure that the kids are learning.  Trust them, they know what is going on!  So, this $$$ new financial testing adventure to the all ready overwhelming cost of common core is SAGE.  Maybe, it is better than filling in stupid bubbles.  But testing is testing. My big concern comes in this statement, "Teachers will still give SAGE tests in the spring, but they’ll have the option to give them in the fall and winter as well so they can see students’ progress."  Schools around the U.S. have become overwhelmed with testing mania, and are trying to get out of all the tests.  Why do we jump on the bandwagon with a bad idea?  Why are our legislatures pushing laws in education to spend a lot of money when there is backlash in the states for the exact legislation they are pushing.  It is stupid!  Why are we not smart and say, "Hey, this is not working in other states, let's avoid this battle road!"  And what is the big deal about collecting data on little kids.  Learning and growing up takes times.  For a grown up, it is like jumping on the scale every morning to see if you lost any weight!  SAGE - Computer Adaptive Testing :(

Superintendent Doty Step's Down

I find it interesting that Superintendent David Doty is leaving to work at a education reform company, Education Direction.  In one way it seems honorable that he would show his true colors for the education reform movement.  Many powerful public administrators work from the inside to dismantle public ed.  So, at least he will work for the reformers and not for public ed.  I have heard though, that he will be leaving the district in a bad situation financially.  When will leaders be held responsible for their bad decisions?  I wish the the next superintendent a lot of good wishes.  I hope she/he will build the moral of the district, be for public education, and support, instead of scare the teachers and administrators who work with our kids.  Doty leaves Canyons District.

Utah's Unique Common Core Science Standards

I find it interesting that we have been told that parents have to accept and Utah has to adopt the common core standards as they are and yet when it comes to the science our Ed departments will manipulate them to match what Utahans want.  Ok I am a citizen of Utah and....Climate change is real.  It is affected by human behavior.  These things are facts not beliefs.Read the article from the Salt Lake Tribune.

Student Achievement Backpack.....Sounds so friendly.

It is hard to find a lot of information about this new venture in collecting data about our children...but I do know that Gov. Herbert signed the bill to make it happen.  Now what?  A lot of parents do not even know this is happening!
Student Achievement Backpack

Pass or Fail...oops I mean Mastered or Not Mastered.

This is from the Canyons Website. I wonder what their final decision was? I think it is ridiculous that we spend so much time worrying about how to measure our K-6 kids. I never remember this time of my life being a "game changer". I am definitely for learning the basics and having a solid foundation in the three R's. But I think all the reforms on education are anti-kid. I would like to get a copy of my K-6 report cards. I am sure they do not include the detailed rubrics that today's measuring system have.


"The Canyons School Board continued Study Session discussions about a proposed standards-based elementary report card aimed at giving parents more precise student achievement information and aligning grading systems with the new state curriculum. Board members asked clarifying questions about the proposal, and heard answers from teachers piloting the report cards and Elementary Evidence-Based Learning Director Amber Roderick-Landward. Board members tentatively agreed they would like to implement a standards-based report card. Remaining issues include whether the report card should have additional grading levels beyond mastery and not yet mastered, and whether implementation next fall should be districtwide or site-based. The Board asked to see models that presented information with graphics and that relayed student performance in up to four levels instead of two. The Board will discuss and vote on the proposal April 16.  The proposal stems from educators' requests and more than two years of study by a committee of teachers from every school, special education experts and education technology specialists. It is being piloted in 92 classrooms in six Canyons elementary schools. Crescent View Middle School also has implemented a standards-based report card."  Here is an example of the Report Card.

Cursive in Utah Schools

I think cursive should be taught in Utah schools.  I think they should teach it in Kindergarten.  Why wait until 3rd grade!

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56143480-78/cursive-utah-sltrib-state.html.csp