In response to a message to Charles on ...
DT>The EALR's are put out by the Commission of Student Learning and 
DT>are legislated.  Schools will be held accountable for results.  
I think that's terrific.  We can't allow each individual teacher to 
set standards or we'll continue to promote programs that graduate 
children who have few skills.  Will there be periodic testing in 
your schools to make sure the kids are keeping up?
DT>I work very hard to get every 
DT>student as close to those standards as I can.  But I can tell you, 
DT>without a doubt, Andrew and Derick and a few others will not make it.
Given the new "standards" philosophy then, they should be kept back, 
and remediated, until they *do* measure up.  For decades now we've 
promoted kids like this at every grade level and they fall farther 
and farther behind until they graduate with elementary reading and 
math skills.
  
DT>Yes!!  Work hard to get all children to reach that level.  Another way 
DT>to look at it is: Work hard to get all children to reach their full 
DT>potential.  
DT>Many kindergarten children can barely spell their name.
Even at the end of the year?  I know that _used_ to be true when 
Kindergarten was half-day and viewed as "school-adjustment" 
training, but today I thought that bar had been raised.
DT>Any spelling testing at this level would be completely 
DT>inappropriate -- At least in my experience (I have seen at least 450 
DT>different students over the past 8 years and this is true for nearly all 
DT>of them.)
Perhaps, then, my comments are more appropriately aimed at first grade.
DT>This year I have two children who stand out as early readers 
DT>(already!) and have had both tested by the reading specialist.  I am 
DT>struggling to keep them challenged.
That can be a challenge as well. Do you have programs for them?
Chuck Beams
cbeams@dreamscape.com
http://www.dreamscape.com/cbeams
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