Just wanted to clarify: the book is about one student who is being over-tested for possible learning disabilities with more attention paid to the legal requirements than on the educational good of the student. I read it (and commented on)with a broader view about how teachers and schools are judged by test scores, with little regard for the dignity of educators and best practice.
-----Original Message----- From: mosaic-bounces+cllc=ca.rr....@literacyworkshop.org [mailto:mosaic-bounces+cllc=ca.rr....@literacyworkshop.org] On Behalf Of linz...@aol.com Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 7:10 AM To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Learning Denied Carol, Thanks for the book information!? I am going?to read it because it sounds very interesting.? It's true about the housing and it is very apparent in todays society.? People like to buy houses in the better school areas, if they have the option and the funds.? This goes for renters as well.? As far as the tests and scores, I feel that if they were used as a helpful tool to show where improvements are needed and where strengths are then the test would have more accurate answers.? Most children when they sit down to take the test are so stressed out about all the weight that has been put on them that they arent able to focus 100%.? This?is a little bit off topic and very elementary but, Dr. Seuss's book- Horray for Diffendoofer Day talks about tests and it can be used as a tool to calm students down a little bit- no matter the age! -----Original Message----- From: Carol Lau <c...@ca.rr.com> To: 'Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group' <mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> Sent: Wed, Jul 1, 2009 10:59 pm Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Learning Denied I just read Learning Denied (1991) by Denny Taylor. Taylor, an educator/researcher, documents a family's struggles with a school district. While this is not a recent publication, I think in some ways, things have gotten worse. I am a second grade teacher and I see the weight put on standardized test scores, focusing on what a child/teacher/school cannot do instead of what he/they can do. With the new emphasis on systematic phonics and the reduction of learning to a list of subskills, everyone--teachers, students, schools, districts--get measured and compared by arbitrary markers. Real estate values are based on school test scores and student/teacher/school success is seen through a narrow lens. I couldn't help but rant a bit after reading this book tonight. Educators are caught in the legalistic web right along with families. Anyone else read this? _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
