Don't Let the Doors Close on Your Student

I was watching the Today Show yesterday morning and they had a segment on the impact standardized testing has on children. A kindergarten teacher quit her job and sent her resignation letter, complete with her rationale to a national newspaper, stating kids aren't learning through enjoyment but because teachers teach to the test.

While watching the piece, Michelle Rhee, the founder and CEO of StudentsFirst.org was debating the value of standardized testing with Matt Lauer. She stated that in an international study the US is currently ranked 26th out out 30-some nations in math.  That to me is alarming, but more so when you think about how these young kids will have to compete on a global level, not just their campus peers or other states.

It may be hard to imagine your young one applying to college, and even more unbelievable to think of them having a career! As Ms. Rhee mentioned, employers are deeply concerning about the pool of candidates in the coming years and their preparedness to take on the jobs requiring math skills. For these reasons there is accountability so we know kids are learning what they need to measure up to the rest of the world.

Here's to improving that terrible statistic!  Through hard work, patience, and asking good questions, students can turn their math status around. Other studies have proven that there is no such thing as a "math person." Anyone can be a math person.

The message today is for students to take ownership of their math abilities and work toward being the best mathematician they can be so all doors are open to them - whether they have a standardized test to pass or not.  Then, as they evolve as individuals and learners, they have the option of deciding which one you want to walk through without regret of having short changed themselves.