SOLs as administered and implemented in our schools have contributed to the increasing bureaucratization of the classroom, though teachers can still be creative and inspiring even in an SOL world, the SOLs obviously takes a toll. The WPost has this story today.
I couldn’t agree with this teacher more. This year was the first time any of my kids took and SOL – what an eye opener. My child has a wonderful teacher that allows me to help out in the classroom on a regular basis; so, I had the opportunity to see what she had to go through first hand. Weeks of test prep, practice tests and then the actual SOL’s. All that time could have been better spent learning. I understand the need for guidelines and there are some not so great teachers out there BUT the vast majority of our teachers are more than qualified and if they were given the freedom to teach until it was understood instead of teaching to the test we would all be better off.
kidsnk9s,
You’re right it holds back the teachers as well as the kids. The scope of the material is so limited. The good teachers will at least make it a challenge and make it fun, as much as they can. I find online resources both what the teachers recommend, and what we find ourselves, a good way not to get too bummed out about the gruel the educational establishment dishes out to our kids.