Assessing The "Whole Child"

         I think children should be assessed throughout the school year on skills they will need to be successful in the workplace, which you will not find on a standardized test. Students should be assessed on their creativity, their problem solving skills in real time, and how they work in a group. I also think they need to be exposed and assessed on how well they can use technology, because technology is becoming a big part of the future. Job applications are done online now, they need to know how to type a resume, and do other basic computer functions. It is important to asses academics as well, but this can be done informally throughout they year, it does not and should not be based strictly on standardized assessments. I found an article on Education Week that gave a great example, "A standardized test asks students to name the steps of the scientific method. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have students do a science project that demonstrates their understanding of the application of the scientific method? And since projects can be set at any level, such an assessment would be perfect for special-needs students of all types" (Lee, E., 2016). 

New Zealand

        In New Zealand primary school is ages 5-6 (Years 1-6). According to the New Zealand Education website, students are regularly assessed in reading, writing, and math against expectations for their age level which is set by New Zealand's National Standards. This sounded like they take standardized assessments, but it wasn't clear to me so I continued searching. According to the New Zealand Learning System website they eliminated national standards in 2018. It goes on to say that this was done to acknowledge that children learn at different rates, and to enable teachers to provide a broader range of learning opportunities for students (New Zealand: Learning Systems - NCEE). The website goes on to say that there are no national tests the first 10 years of school, assessments take place internally at the school level. There are two sampling tests given in grades 4 and 8 to monitor the nations progress, but these tests do not have consequences for students or teachers (New Zealand: Learning Systems - NCEE).  

References:

Lee, E., (2016). Let's Assess the Whole Child.  Let's Assess the Whole Child (Opinion) (edweek.org)

New Zealand Education website New Zealand education system - NZ school system | Study in New Zealand

New Zealand Learning Systems New Zealand: Learning Systems - NCEE

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

 

    As I have mentioned previously, I just recently found out that one of my students spent the first 2 years of his life living in poverty, isolation, and neglect. Both of his parents abused drugs, and they left him in his crib, alone in his bedroom. From what we were told, parents would go in a couple times a week to give him food, but that was it. When CPS found him, he was naked in his crib with feces everywhere, and was extremely malnourished. Because of how he lived this first 2 years of his life he was severely delayed cognitively, physically, socially/emotionally, adaptively, and in the area of communication. Luckily his great aunt adopted him, and immediately started getting him early intervention services. Other than cognitive and communication, he is developmentally where he should be. 

    A previous student of mine who I had from 2nd grade to 6th grade (now in 8th grade), has been experiencing some severe social/emotional struggles this year. Back in December it was learned that he had attempted suicide and had a plan to try again. He was hospitalized for about 4 weeks and is now receiving counseling. He struggled with being quarantined and out of school for so long (March-September), he lost two family members to Covid, upon returning to school he had to quarantine two different times due to being in direct contact with someone who was positive, and several of his classmates/friends had to quarantine on different occasions. I have heard at church and in the news that mental health issues are higher than they have ever been due to Covid, and quarantining.

    The things that children have to face on a daily basis is heartbreaking.