City schools consider math tests for tots

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nytest29,0,7290743.story

The Associated Press

The city is asking public school principals to consider giving math tests to kindergartners, a proposal that comes amid debate over the growing use of standardized tests nationwide.

The experiment could involve tests as long as 90 minutes and change reading assessments for kindergartners through second-graders in the nation's biggest school system, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration has enthusiastically embraced testing. The approach dismays some parents and educators who see it as mechanizing education.

The Department of Education unveiled the $400,000 program in an e-mail Monday inviting elementary school principals to participate. About 65 principals have expressed interest, and as many as 12,000 pupils may ultimately be involved, said James Liebman, the department's accountability chief.

Principals who sign on will choose from five testing systems, each with math and reading components. They include workbook-like, multiple-choice assessments estimated to take kindergartners as much as 60 to 90 minutes per section, the Department of Education said. Other options include roughly half-hour-long tests pupils would complete on computers and 10-minute-long sessions face to face with a teacher.

Re: City schools consider math tests for tots

Re: City schools consider math tests for tots

and what will they do with the results? what purpose will it serve? sometimes i swear that administrations are all a bunch of morons--why would you give a math and reading test to kindergarteners who are just LEARNING to do math and read? and what will you do with the results that most can't read yet? should they go to summer school? get special ed services?

i'd love to see kindergarteners or even second graders sitting through a 90 minute test.

what a waste of money. but then again most testing is. it doesn't prove anything and the results aren't used for anything positive. $400,000 can be used to give the teachers and students BOOKS AND SUPPLIES--that's what they need!!!

Re: City schools consider math tests for tots

I simply cannot stomach this.

Re: City schools consider math tests for tots

This is getting so ridiculous. At that age there are still a lot of disparities at the rate the learn.

Are they going to be "labeled" already before 1st grade?

What kid that age can keep a concentration for a 90 minute test?

All kids nowadays are doing is doing tests, learning about preparing for tests, how to get better at tests, etc.... What about spending more time learning?

I have nothing against tests. But I feel kids now are learning to pass tests vs. learning actual things.


I guess by the time EJ is 3, he will have homework to do when going to pre-school.

Message edited 8/29/2008 8:59:24 AM.

Re: City schools consider math tests for tots

I am not allowed to write all of the words I would like to use to describe Bloomberg and Klein.