Assessment - What does that look like?

Here is a look at what some countries are doing!

German students take the Abitur. The Arbitur sounds similar to what we call the ACT or SAT.  This test asks open ended questions and decides whether or not they are admitted into a University.

The Eric Digest states that, “England and Wales have adopted what amounts to a national curriculum and a comprehensive assessment program. These new tests include open-ended exercises, oral exams, and realistic scenarios. England's long-standing Cities and Guilds vocational assessment program exemplifies what the United States now calls "authentic assessment."  The oral exams and realistic scenarios is where I feel that the United States seems to fall short when assessing the whole child.  These two portions of the exam that England’s and Whales have would be part of the holistic approach that we are trying to accomplish here in the US.  British schools seem to be in the same situation as the US.  The schools are arguing for a change because the schools are failing. http://www.ericdigests.org/1993/japan.htm 

 Singapore seems to have it going on with their schools -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ePNs6Hy2sk

The United States and the change!

This social studies teacher has a great way of assessing the whole child in his ninth grade classroom. Wow what an inspiration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ePNs6Hy2sk

Stress children may face...

Children are resilient; however circumstances can change a person’s outlook on life.  Twelve years ago a good friend of mine had a son in the first grade.  He was a positive, sweet, fun child who was in advanced classes at his school.  After many tests, they received the news that the cause for his headaches was a diagnosis of a peanut brain tumor that had reached his spinal cord.  This meant that Chemotherapy was needed, and his life changed.  He remained in school but struggled from then on.  His appearance was affected, stunted growth, and some facial muscles were affected.  As the years continued, he began to develop a negative look on the world around him.   I recently ran into his mom and she discussed how his emotional state has never been so negative.  He is getting help but I think his journey has definitely changed who he may have been before this happened.  As human beings every one of us walks a different path in this life with different events happening.  I am a firm believer that we truly cannot understand what someone is going through unless you are that person.

            I have always been interested in studying the play of children.  I would love to learn more about children in a country where they are in the midst of war.  I wonder how their play reflects the events around them.  I found this image on the web page http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/feb/06/iraq.topstories3

Children of war: the generation traumatized by violence in Iraq

Growing up in a war zone takes its toll as young play games of murder and mayhem

 

This website talks about the biological affects that the war has been having on these children.  From night tares to muteness are just a few of the biological effects that may occur in children from war zones. 

            This study of war and children has been very disturbing and eye opening.  I feel extremely lucky to be living where I do.  The stress that these families and children are facing seem overwhelming.  I cannot imagine trying to raise my children in a war environment.