Exit Madness...
It's a damn shame credit can only be offered to those academic types who test well.
In today's Los Angeles Times the article on the California exit exam tells it like it is for many students sweating it out right now praying that they can make it through just one more test proving they know just what the hell they're doing.
Many have not or will not pass and will be denied any accolades for the four years they've spent toiling about their classes. No credit will be given for grades they've earned throughout the four years, projects they've sweat over or days they've gotten out of bed and shown up even though they didn't want to.
There will be no evidence of their parents sitting in that crowd of anxious onlookers waiting to see their childrens tassels flop to the other side as their sweaty little hands curl around their diploma. Their will be no credit givin for being a good person, for helping a friend or for trying as hard as they could.
The signal this sends out to those who don't pass is that the bottom line is 'you're only as good as your last test' you big loser!
You have to wonder what this will do to their self-esteem and will it affect how they choose to move forward from this point. Will they go on to higher learning facilities or just accept the fact that they can't cut it?
No child left behind has upped the anti so high that many children will never even leave the gate with their esteem in tact.
Maybe I'm just old and cranky. When I hear people talking about how if your child can't read by the time they begin kindergarten they're considered way behind and the audacity of those parents who allowed their children to luxuriate in the freedom of just being a child are even bigger losers, well, it just makes me want to slap this administration silly!
Not everyone is cut out to be a brain surgeon. We still need people to fix our cars and plumb our pipes. We still need people with good hearts and intentions.
In today's Los Angeles Times the article on the California exit exam tells it like it is for many students sweating it out right now praying that they can make it through just one more test proving they know just what the hell they're doing.
Many have not or will not pass and will be denied any accolades for the four years they've spent toiling about their classes. No credit will be given for grades they've earned throughout the four years, projects they've sweat over or days they've gotten out of bed and shown up even though they didn't want to.
There will be no evidence of their parents sitting in that crowd of anxious onlookers waiting to see their childrens tassels flop to the other side as their sweaty little hands curl around their diploma. Their will be no credit givin for being a good person, for helping a friend or for trying as hard as they could.
The signal this sends out to those who don't pass is that the bottom line is 'you're only as good as your last test' you big loser!
You have to wonder what this will do to their self-esteem and will it affect how they choose to move forward from this point. Will they go on to higher learning facilities or just accept the fact that they can't cut it?
No child left behind has upped the anti so high that many children will never even leave the gate with their esteem in tact.
Maybe I'm just old and cranky. When I hear people talking about how if your child can't read by the time they begin kindergarten they're considered way behind and the audacity of those parents who allowed their children to luxuriate in the freedom of just being a child are even bigger losers, well, it just makes me want to slap this administration silly!
Not everyone is cut out to be a brain surgeon. We still need people to fix our cars and plumb our pipes. We still need people with good hearts and intentions.
posted by jbwritergirl at 7:14 AM
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