1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I'd like some opinions on this from others-my daughter is in 1st grade. They just had their common core unit 1 mid module assessment. The teacher announced the students names that received a 100 and gave them stickers.

While I have no problem with the teacher doing this in private with those students, I do think that it is unfair to do it in front of the other students.

Bottom line, if Jimmy did his best on that test and received a 70, instead of feeling good about doing his best, he is being made to feel bad.

My daughter did well on the exam but because of this was crying and is being hard on herself that she is not good enough even though I tell her that we just want her to do her best and are very proud of her.

Any suggestions on how I can talk to the teacher regarding this? I think that she probably thinks it will motivate the kids, when in reality, it will just make them feel inferior.

1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I actually think it is okay that she announced the 100s.
I would be mad if she announced everyone else's.
It is a rough lesson, but that is life.
I have been with my husband for 18 yrs.
He is dyslexic. I went to HS, College, and watch him tense up looking for jobs.
He dreads reading to our kids and recently made an excuse to get it of reading to my son's class.
It is sad....but, he has so many other gifts. Things he is simply superior at.
I do believe every child has a gift...this was the moment for those gifted in math. Another child is going to do great in PE, one will be awesome in art, while another steals the show in the choir.
I would help your daughter understand that. Trying her best is most important.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I teach first grade and I have never done this. The kids obviously know what 100% means. After that, I write the score like 17/20, etc. while its nice to praise those children who got a perfect score, the 100% and a special sticker could be praise enough. I only had this happen to me myself when I was in college. The professor had only 8 students answer a question correctly and she said all of our names. I had studied the night before the exam with a bunch if girls and none of them got it right. It was very awkward. I think it's unnecessary. However, as a mom of a 1st grader as well, I don't know if I'd say something about it. I'm sure your dd will score 100% at some point this year and have her name announced.

Message edited 10/25/2013 9:03:22 PM.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

My son is in 3rd grade and I this seems to be common place. He often comes home and says the highest score was XYZ and by ABC. I was surprised to hear it at first but I actually think it isn't a bad thing to hear and recognize an achievement. It is not saying all have to do that well but some one did awesome and why not applaud them?

1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I never announce scores and return tests to kids individually and face down...if I know a child is working hard, studied, improved or got a 4, I smile and tell them they did a great job...I tell them it's no ones business but theirs and I teach second grade

1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I don't see anything wrong with this, but after reading a couple of threads on these boards I'm starting to think I'm a mean mommy.

Sorry your DD was so upset. Maybe you can let her know how well she did because she did her best and focus on how she improved.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I taught middle school and I used to announce the higher scoring grades and kids who made big improvements. I always presented with the idea that all of the students could do that well. It was never meant to shame the kids who didn't do well. And the kids who'd find they did well after not starting out strong really felt good about themselves.

I don't know how I feel about this for first grade (Or tests in first grade, tbh) but in general I see nothing wrong with this practice. It bugs me that kids who work hard don't get acknowledged because of concern about making other kids feel badly. My school no longer rewards perfect attendance, which I think isn't fair (and my kid didn't have perfect attendance.)

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

Message edited 10/26/2013 2:30:00 PM.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I think if a child got 100% on a test they deserve a sticker.
There should be praise when it's due. Life is not fair, and the sooner kids know that , the better off they will be. I'm very tough on my own kids , so I may be a mean momma as well.

To add: this was a common core exam, there is a lot of pressure on our teachers now. Unfortunately that leads to pressure on our own children. The biggest complaint about this whole thing is how much pressure these kids have now. It is going to create a very competitive environment , even for little kids. School is not going to be " fair" any more.

Message edited 10/26/2013 7:16:56 PM.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I imagine the teacher is trying to motivate some of her students who may not be motivated. She's proud of the students who scored 100% but it doesn't mean your daughters effort won't receive recognition at some point as well. In sports they give out MVP awards And that csn be just as traumatic. In races there are winners. No one can win all the time.

Different children will be recognized for different talents or skills. When ever my son ( especially him because he is competitive) complains that he's not the best at something, I remind him that all he needs to do is practice and put in true effort. I also remind him that no matter how great he is at something, someone else may be better. It's life. He got a 4 on his Nys math test, but now he's upset cause he was not chosen for alpha. It's not an easy lesson

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I honestly can't believe that parents are ok with a teacher calling out children's names and giving them stickers for getting a 100% on a test. I am flabbergasted. Some of those children's may not have lifted a finger to study for that test. I am a special education teacher. My students work their A$$ES off to get 70's. We have other children who get 100% for doing nothing other than having been born smart. Do you know what it would do to the will and confidence of my children if we only gave out stickers to those who got 100? They would NEVER get a sticker and that is disgusting. Children should be praised for their hard work and effort not for a number on a piece of paper.

Message edited 10/26/2013 7:04:12 PM.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

Thank you teachergal. That is my opinion as well. I can see from the majority of responses that we are in the minority-perhaps that comes from you being a special ed teacher and my having another child that gets special ed services. We "get" what this can do to children-unfortunately others do not. I was not just upset for the sake of my daughter, also for the kids that I know just are not capable of getting 100 in that class and what it would do to their self esteem.

I think that I will mention my point of view to the teacher in a nice way-perhaps she is just another person that doesn't understand what harm things like this can do to some kids. I am certainly not against the kids that do well getting praise in some way for their hard work, but I still don't feel it should be done in front of the other children, even if it is my kid that gets the 100.

Thanks to all for your opinions.

1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I guess this is why I don't agree with one grade per class. Growing up there were different classes per abilities. So you don't have someone who "didn't lift a finger" with someone busting their asses. The fact is all people including children are not equal. Some students are more advanced, but that still doesn't mean a child doesn't deserve credit for getting a perfect score.

On another note I understand some kids are special ed or have disabilities but there are instances where some kids can try harder or aren't trying hard enough. Trust me, my stepson is this exact kid, he all of a sudden is smart when there is an incentive.

Message edited 10/26/2013 9:09:13 PM.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I think there are better ways to motivate without saying names. While I do think not everyone can win or get 100s I think comparing a game of say a race where there is a clear winner and everyone after is different. I do believe there is a time and place to teach about streghths and weaknesses and you won't be perfect at everything.but....

Theorectically on a test everyone in the can class can get an 100. It might not happen but it could. In games generally you win or you don't or maybe tie.

By calling names you might be telling the kids who worked their butt off that it wasn't good enough...when maybe it was for them. They maybe less likely to put that extra effort in next time if they are discouraged. You are not falsely praising them but just not discouraging them either.

I like the sticker for those who got an 100 and maybe a good job when handing back the test. The teacher can also write great work or I am proud on the student they know is really trying but isn't an 100 student. As someone who did often get 100 I would rather had a quiet sticker than publc praise that would probably later cause me a headache from those who didn't get the 100. It let me know my work was appreciated but not a big fanfare.

There are other ways to motivate students imo. I had teachers who instead would put up the score for the class and then break it down...no names so completely anonymous. I.e. 100-2; 97-3; 90-2; 86-1; 80-5; etc. This allowed you to see where you fit in without embarassing or making anyone uncomfortable.

Then again I was in a school where parents had the teacher send home a sheet that had all the grades on it (minus names) so they would know where their kid fell in. I mean as the kids get older they "know" or can guess who pretty much got what scores. But the pushing scores on 1st graders to me seems like a lot of pressure early on....

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

Hmmmm...this is a tough one. Knowing my DS (who is in 1st grade) - this might actually be good for him. If he was the 100 he'd be totally motivated to keep getting 100 to get that recognition but, if he wasn't, I can bet he would get 100 the next time! That said, he is the type of kid who at this point could easily get the 100 and almost always does. Now, if he was not this type of kid and I watched him try so hard and do the absolute best he could and still not be able to get that top achievement, yeah, it would break my heart a little. So, I think I am all for something like Lillykat suggests - I think a happy medium would be better. To the OP - if you feel your child is really being emotionally hurt by this - it doesn't hurt to mention it to the teacher and get her thoughts. I would just tell her that you felt bad that your daughter was so upset by this and that she really did try her best and was there another way she could recognize the "best" while also recognizing those that "tried their best"

Message edited 10/27/2013 9:44:05 AM.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

Posted by itsbabytime
I would just tell her that you felt bad that your daughter was so upset by this and that she really did try her best and was there another way she could recognize the "best" while also recognizing those that "tried their best"

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

Message edited 10/27/2013 11:08:23 PM.

1st grade teacher announcing test scores

The teacher is doing what she/he thinks is right. I see no issue with rewarding these students. Why shouldn't they be recognized? As a parent and special education teacher, I really believe that this should be left alone. You can't try to take how the teacher manages the class out of their hands

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

1st grade teacher announcing test scores

My child came home from kindergarten upset that another child can read and she can't. Kids are going to get upset at other successes. They are going to get upset because another child is wearing a dress and they aren't (yep, my daughter again) We can't shelter them all the time from being upset or disappointed. I also think that questioning a teacher about something that I believe is coming from a good place is not the best choice. If you want to talk to the teacher and ask how he/she is meeting the needs of your child for the next test, then so be it.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I don't really have an issue with this.

My kid would probably not get a sticker very often, but that's part of life. She does get the treasure box for good behavior quite often. Or in Dance or gymnastics she gets singled out sometimes.

She can't be the best at everything and others may do better than her and the most she can do is practice and try her best. I'd rather she learn this lesson now-as much as it may break my heart.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores

I would be fine with this. Sure, my DS might be disappointed when he doesn't get a sticker, but it might be a good motivator for him. And he might never get a sticker in certain areas, which is unfortunately a fact of life that we all had to come to terms with at some point growing up, didn't we?

This sort of begs the question: At what age do we move away from the mindset of "Everyone gets a trophy just for showing up"? I kind of feel that we're so careful to shelter our children from feeling like they failed at anything, that we are diminishing any motivation to actually SUCCEED.

Re: 1st grade teacher announcing test scores