Testing, testing... Standardized, of course!

Considering that there is no real evidence (that hasn't been politically spun) to suggest that standardized testing in elementary school has ever helped kids or their families, then why do we support such nonsense? As it stands, California's STAR test can go as long as 3.5 hours for elementary school kids, and 4.5 for Jr. High, and older, kids. (That is, it's a 3 to 4 hour test, plus any additional time kids may need... hence the extra half hour one can tack on.)

Let us be clear: this can be longer than the SAT that only college-bound students take in their later teens. Why test elementary children in this absurd manner just to satisfy bloated bureaucracy? Why spend the funds administering and categorizing these tests when our school systems are broke? Why make kids learn to a test which is superficial in scope and knowledge when they could be enticed to learn more deeply and creatively? Who ever said we all have to know the same thing, at the same time, in the same way? And here I thought America's strength lay in its diversity.

At no point in human history have children under the age of 10 been so frequently and superficially tested. There has never, before, been a need to test such young children in this manner and I say there is still not a need to test young children in this manner.

When elementary children receive their state test scores (long after the school year has ended) has anyone ever had a teacher say, "Based on your test scores last year, we have devised a brand new curriculum, just for you, to help you learn your best this year!" Nope. The child still has to go to the next grade and learn whatever is on the docket for every other kid in that grade level and are expected to take the same amount of time to learn it and take the same standardized tests as all the others. So much for the test having any individualized meaning. (Oh, but then the test wasn't devised to help children. It was devised to help bureaucrats.)

We assess young children with tests that may cause them anxiety and stress, but then we do nothing with the results except rank schools so that bureaucrats can decide whose funds will get cut next. How does this help young children? What does this have to do with true, meaningful learning?

I need to make myself a nice pot of green tea and meditate on the meaning of education. I think we all need to.

Caffeinated OC Mommy Wants to Know, Are You Doing Your Job?

Looking in the Google search for “how caffeine affects your health,” I happened to find Caffeine Convoy. Although I was looking for something completely different, the title post, “Will Somebody Please Leave Me a Smart Comment?” caught my eye. I laughed out loud at the thought of people being that stupid! Needless to say, that first post pulled me in, and next thing you know, I’m learning about history, current events and how much stuff I really didn’t know and am I that stupid too? I mean, who the hell is Rupert Murdock anyway? Yeah, I found out later, after I read ExpressoSelf’s post on this jackass! Now I know, and now I’m hooked on this adventure of being a part of the Convoy.

Caffeine Convoy is about “Chit Chat that Matters,” so being the newest member here, I’d better make what I write about count. There’s lots of political views already, so I’ll try something different. Something that is rarely said and I know I’ll be offending many.

“I can’t stand those Moms who don’t pay attention to what their kids are doing.” There, I said it!

You know those Moms, and you know if you’re guilty of being one of them. And I know who you are, I’ve seen you several times at the park. You sit at the park bench with your back to your kids chatting with the other Moms while at the same time you have no clue that your toddler has just eaten a handful of sand and has made his way to the top of the slide and is about to fall off and I’m right there to catch him as you keep on chatting away... WHY? Why did you become a Mom if you don’t plan on watching your own kid? Are you that oblivious to what’s going on around you and your most important job? Yes, job! It’s your job to take care of the child(ren) that calls you, “Mom.” It’s your job to make sure that they are safe and obviously if your back is to them, you are not doing your job.

While I’m at it, let’s talk about the behavior of Moms not paying attention to their kids in a public restaurant where alcohol is being served. Mommy sits at the table and drinks her 2nd glass of wine looking at her smart phone while baby is in the high chair chewing the plastic off the lid of the soda cup and 2 year old Timmy is jumping up and down on the seat that is adjacent to mine while I’m trying to have my meal with my family. Are you f*#%ing kidding me?! WHY? Why did this person become a Mom and why did she have another?

If YOU are one of these Moms, please help me to understand why you are a Mom by leaving me a comment, if you have the balls. I’m off to the coffee shop with my new friends here from Caffeine Convoy...

What Does the Tea Party mean to YOU?

They're here.  I thought they were just on TV.  I didn't like how close they were to me.  Isn't that the silliest thing?  You'd think I was talking about aliens landing in my front yard.  I'm talking about the Tea Party.  They were having a demonstration in a very busy intersection a couple blocks away from my home yesterday.  I got the opportunity to watch and witness the event from my car while waiting for the light to turn green.  I noticed the confederate flag and the don't tread on me flag waving in the breeze.  I noticed the old guy with the megaphone talking about freedom, the old people walking across the street holding their signs high in the air, and all four corners were pretty much a mirrored image of each other.  What stuck out in my mind the most?  That they were all senior citizens that are being misinformed.  Little do they realize what they are supporting and what will be taken away from them by doing so.

Time for a fresh pot...

Loony Loose in Florida

Is this guy insane?!  Apparently so.  Loyal to America he is not, for his actions hurt our country.  Check it out.

Strong coffee... PLEASE!