I am going to Washington DC today to attend the Save Our Schools Conference, Rally, March and Call to Action.

I am going because I am tired of politicians, businessmen and billionaires making harmful decisions about our schools and our children; because high-stakes testing is not the answer to making better schools; and one [...]]]>

I am going to Washington DC today to attend the Save Our Schools Conference, Rally, March and Call to Action.

I am going because I am tired of politicians, businessmen and billionaires making harmful decisions about our schools and our children; because high-stakes testing is not the answer to making better schools; and one size does not fit all.

I am going because equality in school funding would go a long way in helping schools in poor communities meet the needs of our most vulnerable students; because arts, social studies, music and science matter (not just math and reading); because good character, strong ideals and respect for one’s self and one’s community can not be measured by a bubble test.

I am going to Washington, DC because quality play and playful learning belongs in school and because childhood is a journey, not a race to the top. (Tomorrow I will be presenting with Deborah Meier about the implications of our incessant and early demands for “performance” on young children.)

If you can’t join us for the Save Our Schools in Washington DC, please check here for a related event in your state or community.

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Wow! There is busy . . . and then there is BUSY! This has been a BUSY few weeks. Wonderful, though. Beginning with the powerful Rally to Save Public Education in Cambridge, MA (see previous post); continuing with a wonderful visit to my former school, Mission Hill School in Roxbury, MA;  then a quick [...]]]>

Wow! There is busy . . . and then there is BUSY! This has been a BUSY few weeks. Wonderful, though. Beginning with the powerful Rally to Save Public Education in Cambridge, MA (see previous post); continuing with a wonderful visit to my former school, Mission Hill School in Roxbury, MA;  then a quick trip to Jamaica for the wedding of a dear friend who happens to be an amazing early childhood educator;  and ending with an inspiring early childhood conference here in my own backyard (well, not literally, but close) . . . this has been an whirlwind of inspiring and powerful moments.

Today, as I head to Providence, RI for the NAEYC Professional Development Institute,  I force myself to take a few minutes to reflect on all that has inspired me in the last few weeks and all that I am thankful for.

First of all, I am inspired by teachers who work hard, on their own time, to reflect deeply on their practice.  Teachers who share their ideas, questions, student work and joy with others. On Saturday, June 4th, a beautiful spring weekend, our Hudson Valley Writing Project conference, Democracy, Literacy and Play: Hearing Children’s Voices was filled with just these kinds of amazing early childhood educators. Dedication doesn’t even begin to describe what I felt and saw on that memorable day.

I am thankful for all the time I was able to spend over the last week or so, with my friend and mentor, Deborah Meier. Debbie came to our conference as the keynote speaker, and joined me in presenting an afternoon session. It was such fun and reminded me of how much I miss talking with her and sharing ideas about education and life. I also saw Deb at the Rally to Save Education and on my visit to Mission Hill School. (Debbie is the founding principal at this K-8 Boston Public School.)  I am somewhat exhausted from all the traveling, presenting, talking and working – and Deb is 80 years old and going strong. Now if that isn’t inspiring, I don’t know what is.

I am thankful that my sons were able to join me for the rally in Cambridge, MA and the visit to Mission Hill School (and I am thankful that they didn’t join me for the quick trip to Jamaica!). At the rally, the boys joined in on the chants and held their sign proudly. They knew that as Arne Duncan was getting special recognition at Harvard Graduation, we were using our voices to raise awareness about the harmful effects of Race to the Top, high-stakes testing and more. The boys especially liked singing our version of John Lennon’s classic… “All we are saying, is give all kids a chance.”

The next day at Mission Hill School, and the trip to Jamaica with friends and colleagues, helped recapture for me the special spark that Mission Hill has. There aren’t many progressive, playful public schools still in existence, and Mission Hill is one of those places. Authentic learning and authentic assessments in a democratic community where everyone has a voice.  In the midst of harmful, top-down mandates from politicians who were never educators, Mission Hill School is a reminder to all of us about what is possible.

I am inspired by the leaders in education – teachers of teachers – who spoke at the rally and are standing up for what is developmentally and educationally appropriate. Along with Deb Meier, we heard  Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Diane Levin, Eleanor Duckworth and Alfie Kohn (what a list!!!). Click here to read Deb’s remarks from the Rally to Save Public Education -which she has posted on her website. Local parents and teachers also spoke out – I didn’t catch everyone’s name but I heard their messages loud and clear.  I invite you to read more about the rally – including pictures and video – on the Citizens for Public Schools website. And I urge you to consider joining the Save Our Schools Rally and March in Washington, D.C. on July 30th.

For me, many of these moments were playful, even as I see them as part of my work. I am thankful for that. I am also thankful for the purely playful moments throughout those busy days: Discovering a wonderful playground in Cambridge, MA.  Swinging on a hammock in Treasure Beach, Jamaica.  Dancing in the rain.  Enjoying a campfire with family.  Playing Othello with my son.  Watching my husband and sons soak each other mercilessly with water balloons.  And eating delicious strawberries picked from the patch in our own back yard.

Even when things are BUSY, I am determined to keep play central to our lives.

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Recommendation 5.4: State and local educational agencies should be encouraged to promote recess for elementary students and physical activity breaks for [...]]]> The good news is, someone on the White House Task Force for childhood obesity was listening. This week, Michelle Obama sent an email releasing their report, and among the many recommendations, was restoring recess!

Recommendation 5.4: State and local educational agencies should be encouraged to promote recess for elementary students and physical activity breaks for older students, and provide support to schools to implement recess in a healthy way that promotes physical activity and social skill development.

Definitely a step in the right direction, and encouraging news. You can visit the Let’s Move website to read the report and recommendations. The Task Force received over 2500 public comments – so a big thank you to everyone who wrote in about recess and more. On the heels of this success – here is another way to get involved and make change for children and play:

The standardized test movement is one of the many factors that is squeezing play out of children’s lives – especially their school lives. Starting in kindergarten, our children are being turned off – instead of turned on to learning. Many folks ask me, “But what can I do?”  Here is one thing you can do…today I am spreading the word about an exciting campaign initiated by the folks at Time Out from Testing. Here are there words:

Dear Friends,

Parent and other assessment reform organizations and individuals from across the country are participating in a postcard campaign to First Lady Michelle Obama asking that she encourage the President to put an end to the use of High Stakes Testing. When she was on the campaign trail she had the following to say about the Bush Administration’s No Child Left Behind Program:

“No Child Left Behind is strangling the life out of most schools.”
“If my future were determined by my performance on a standardized test I wouldn’t be here. I guarantee that.”

THOUSANDS OF US AGREE WITH HER CRITICISM. WE NEED HER HELP TO END THE RELIANCE ON HIGH STAKES STANDARDIZED TESTS.

HERE IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO: On May 29th send a postcard to Michelle Obama with this message:

Dear Michelle Obama:

We want the same education for our children that you provide for Malia and Sasha.
Our child is not a test score.
Encourage the President to end the use of high stakes standardized tests!

Sincerely,

Name:
Address:
Signature

Mail to:
First Lady Michelle Obama
White House,
Washington DC

Some of you may want to tweak the wording a bit. All that we ask is that you don’t dilute the main message of ending high stakes testing. Remember that once she receives the first 50 postcards, she and her staff won’t be reading them but instead will be counting them.

One way to ensure the success of this campaign will be to go viral and use our listservs and Facebook. However, it requires that people go to the post office , buy a postcard and then write the message and address it. In this day and age we fear that will not happen in mass numbers. So we have designed some other ways to make sure we reach our goal of between 50,000-100,000 cards on May 29th.

FOR THIS WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF ALL OUR ORGANIZATIONS TO GO INTO THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!

HERE ARE OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS:

1. SET UP TABLES IN YOUR SCHOOLS WHEN PARENTS DROP OFF AND PICK UP THEIR KIDS AND GET THEM TO SIGN THE CARD. YOU WILL NEED TO BUY THEM AND PUT THE MESSAGE ON YOURSELF. ASK FOR A 25 CENT CONTRIBUTION. SOME WILL GIVE A DOLLAR AND SOME WON’T GIVE SO IT SHOULD BALANCE OUT.

2. ASK TEACHERS TO CIRCULATE THE CARDS AND GET THEM BACK TO YOU.

3. SET UP TABLES IN FRONT OF THE BUSIEST STORES ON A SATURDAY/SUNDAY AND COLLECT SIGNATURES ON THE CARD

4. SET UP CARD SIGNING AT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH

5. REMEMBER TO TAKE THEM TO THE OFFICE, FAMILY GATHERINGS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, SOCCER/BASEBALL GAMES

6. REMEMBER ANYONE CAN SIGN THE CARD—KIDS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, RELATIVES

The important thing is that you keep a record of how many got sent due to your outreach. We will need a count sent to us at info@timeoutfromtesting.org so that when we hold a press conference on that day, we will have an accurate count.

WE HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN BUT WE KNOW THAT IF ALL OF US PULL TOGETHER OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS IT WILL HAPPEN.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT,

TIME OUT FROM TESTING
COALITION OF ESSENTIAL SCHOOLS
THE FORUM FOR EDUCATION AND DEMOCRACY
ADVANCEMENT PROJECT
RETHINK LEARNING
FAIRTEST

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I am back from Boston and the MassAEYC conference and have had time to think about some of the points David Elkind made in his keynote address. Dr. Elkind is the author of many respected books, such as The Hurried Child, Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk and most recently, The Power of Play.  [...]]]>

I am back from Boston and the MassAEYC conference and have had time to think about some of the points David Elkind made in his keynote address. Dr. Elkind is the author of many respected books, such as The Hurried Child, Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk and most recently, The Power of Play.  One idea that Elkind shared during his keynote was that good experiences are the best preparation for bad experiences, and bad experiences only prepare you for bad experiences.  He gave the example of children who were directly affected by the events of 9/11. Researchers followed some of these children for several years, and found that the children who had no prior traumas were able to better cope with the events of 9/11. Children who had already experienced trauma in their lives were more adversely affected by the events. Their prior bad experiences did not make the bad experience of 9/11 easier to handle.

His words made me think about our current emphasis on standardized tests and the academic push into our early childhood classrooms. High-stakes tests; the weeks and months that go into preparing for them; and “kill and drill” scripted curricula have turned education into a “bad experience” for many of our elementary, middle and high school students. Pressures  from the federal, state and local policy makers has trickled down to our youngest students. (See previous post Kinder Kindergartens, Please) And with Arne Duncans’s Race to the Top, it looks as though these pressures will continue.

What is the best way to prepare our youngest students for the inevitable bad experiences (high-stakes testing for example) they will encounter? Do we give them more bad experiences? Do we take away playful learning, child-centered curricula, developmentally appropriate expectations and engaging environments? Do we remove all that we know is good for young children’s learning and replace it with didactic instruction that kills curiosity and threatens to turn kids off to school?  Or, do we make our children’s early experiences rich with discovery; full of language; and complete with secure relationships?

I had the chance to ask Dr. Elkind about this connection I was making between what he said, and the pressures of high-stakes testing. He replied that hadn’t thought about it quite that way – but agreed it was a valuable point. He stands with the many early childhood experts who have made a public statement about the new Common Core Standards, and the negative impact the current draft will have on early childhood classrooms.  There are just two more days to comment on the current draft of the Common Core Standards, and the early childhood push-back is getting some attention. If you haven’t already, please visit the Alliance for Childhood website today and learn more about the standards and how to comment on them. I urge you to do what you can to help secure good experiences for our children in the early years – and help prepare them for what lies ahead – both good and bad.

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So much is working against recess these days – with one major factor being the high stakes testing that came with No [...]]]> “I am so happy!” my son declared recently as he got off the school bus. What made him so happy that day? In a word:  recess. His class had gone outside to play.

So much is working against recess these days – with one major factor being the high stakes testing that came with No Child Left Behind. Feeling the pressure to raise test scores, schools everywhere have opted to eliminate recess. Even younger grades feel the pressure – with less and less time for unstructured play. When high-stakes tests are administered to older elementary students, the K-2 children are often held indoors so as not to distract the students taking the tests. In Massachusetts some communities have offered  a test prep Boot Camp for elementary students during the week of February vacation. I once heard a local politician announce to a group of 4th graders who had just finished their “vacation” in this program.  “Congratulations,” he told them.  “You’ve done a great job. Now go on and enjoy the 72 hours you have left of vacation!” He didn’t realize how utterly absurd his words sounded. Around the country, time for free play in the afternoons or Saturdays has been turned over to similar test prep programs.

I am hoping that Michelle Obama’s new focus on childhood obesity, “Let’s Move“,  might bring back recess – though surprisingly (or not) it isn’t yet part of her plan. The physical activity portion of her plan focuses on the time before and after school.  These include finding safe routes for walking or biking to and from school, building community playgrounds, reducing screen-time, playing together as a family, and other worthwhile pursuits.

Why is recess not  included in her plan? Why the obvious oversight? A recent press release from the Alliance for Childhood provides compelling evidence that recess is beneficial, including fighting obesity and the strong positive effect recess has on learning. This evidence is clear, so the fact that Michelle Obama did not include it leads me to wonder. Is it that the new Race to the Top federal funding program doesn’t leave room for recess?

The childhood obesity epidemic is real – and her efforts are noble and necessary.  But she’s missing a key element of the problem: recess during the school day.  It’s vital.

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