In summary, MS, which operates on A-E day schedule had an activity period at the end of the day last year and this period has been moved to the beginning of the day and is more directed than it was in the past. Kern's response indicates that the end of day period was in essence a social period that was not utilized as it was intended and the shift in time was coupled by a formalization of the period's activity opportunities (formal activities are now offered/required as opposed to being left to the student to decide what to do).
One could also interpret/be led to believe from his response that the primary driver is the PSSA. He does not say this is the reason, but among the offerings during this period he notes:
The accountability of PSSA Scores have played a major role in the instruction and curriculum process of schools nationwide and we are utilizing our activity period to support all students to become proficient. We have developed a time for remediation in Math, Science, and English.And:
We have created a number of computer tutorial programs which are individualized based on current PSSA scores or our 4sight testing data.The shift impacts those who leave early for activities, but Kern notes this impacts only 10% of the students and the scheduling is such that each marking period the schedule changes so if English is last in first marking period it won't be the rest of the year.
In looking at this again, it seems to me activity period is being morphed into a PSSA prep period and as the NASD shifts from curriculum driven to PSSA driven teaching model it will become more so.
What do you think? Is this an issue at all? Can students get the same help from teachers during 1st period as they did at the end of the day? Are the activities taking place a good start to the school day? Did any, many, most kids even use the activity period or was it a social hall?
9 comments:
While I appreciate Mr. Kern taking the time from his day to respond to your inquiry. This change is and remains a bad decision.
Everything that he outlines could be done at the end of the day as easily as in the beginning.
He indicates that the athletic conflict only impacts 10% of the students. Well many of these kids play sports in all three seasons. As a result and assuming ten of the 20 events are played on the road. That means the multi sport athlete has the potential to miss all or most of up to thirty classes. That is missing one-sixth or nearly 17% of math, english, science, social studies, etc.
He also talks about the students who used the period as a social period. I also heard that they had a hard time tracking the students who did not show up at all. So lets punish the kids who used this period for remediation, extra help, or to work on homework or study for tests?
Finally, this all comes down to Kern's desire to raise test scores. There is alot of study that indicates that taking these tests earlier in the day improves the results. They wanted to have this period available for the 4sight and other testing they want to do.
In my mind the pros of having the activity period at the end of the day greatly outweigh the cons.
I have to agree with boostie, this was a bad idea, and it keeps getting worse.
Most kids used the activity period at the end of the day to complete homework for the evening, or get some additional help.
Now, there are only a couple of days where they are actually allowed to do school work. the others they are forced to join a club (which in most cases have zero to do with education), or they are forced to read.
I have heard the "social period" comment many times, and I am sure there were a few students that used the time for that as opposed to actually doing school work. My guess it is easier for the teachers to control the kids in the morning if they force them into specific activities, and let's face it, at that time in the morning the kids are just plain tired, so socializing is at a minimum.
They are also making the kids take PSSA prep tests during this time, so it is very safe to assume that NASD is now based solely on a PSSA driven lesson plan.
Anyone who has had kids in the district anymore know that it all about the mighty test scores.
Teach to the test! Drill for the test! Practice, practice, practice so we can move the meter 1%.
Are there any other factors for which a happy, halthy, and productive school environment is rated or is just the almighty PSSA?
An effective teacher is one who can meet state standards throughout the day during normal lessons, without having a formal PSSA prep period. My children have had wonderful teachers at Lower Nazareth who have dedicated themselves to the children. Their test scores - although they don't even mean that much to me as a parent - have been fantastic and their teachers were able to teach what needed to be taught without formalizing the whole test-taking process. After all what is more important: teaching kids the proper way to bubble in a circle for a state-mandate test, or preparing them with necessary real world skills.
I agree with all previous posts. And when do the parents get a say in what their MS children do during the day? REQUIRED "club" participation? If it's community service you're looking for, I believe admin is taking the wrong approach. How willing will the 'club' participants be if it's something they are forced to attend. REQUIRED PSSA PREP? How about for those who scored proficient or advanced? Do you think this is the best use of their time?
Let's put Activity Period back to the end of the day, ditch the newly created clubs, address those students who need PSSA improvement, and have teachers monitor the Activity Period like before, only address the social butterflies or missing children as they arise. I would think that is a minimal number of students.
Admin, are you listening?? Something needs to change.....quick! Not next year....now! The kids are paying the price and alot of parents aren't happy either.
Does anyone think this change might have something to do with the teacher contract? hmmmm, makes me wonder!
I agree with the previous postings.
I think that this newly structured activity period is nothing more than a PSSA prep period! My questions is why, from what I can achieve by looking at the pssa scores is that they are not improving by leaps and bounds, and yet the schools are spending more and more time on PSSA preparation.
I am so tired of PSSA preparation, that I can honestly state, I do not care about the pssas and I let my children know this! These test do not grade the student, it is a “grade” for the schools. Guess what they are not succeeding! Not really, the kids fault is it
Mr. Kern and the middle school made a huge mistake in changing the structure of activity period (mandatory club participation)...but I am sure they will not change it, that would mean they were wrong, and we all know no one within the NASD would admit they made a mistake!!
Good luck to Alan Davis and the high school you will be getting students who do not know how to manage their time, you may want to look into those study hall block of 90 minutes!
Sincerely,
Frustrated, tired and sick of NASD!
Anon 10:37, not good luck to Mr. Davis, but good luck to these kids when they go to college and more important, good luck to their future employers.
Mr. Kern has taken the helm and clearly believes that the PSSA's are more important in driving the daily schedule than worrying about just plain teaching.
Let's face facts, the PSSA's are the report card for the teachers and administrators. If the scores are bad, it reflects on them, not the students.
What they have chosen to do is to make sure they look good at the expense of our children.
The kids are now FORCED to do PSSA prep a certain number of days per week in activity period. So what if they have a test coming up that day and want to use that time to get a little more studying in for a core class, the PSSA's are just so much more important.
I have a news flash, the PSSA's don't have any weight on a student being accepted into a college or university.
Additionally, the kids are FORCED into joining a club. If you haven't seen the list of clubs, you should. Most basically equate to Basket Weaving 101.
Yes, our kids will probably do better on the PSSA's, but I want Mr. Kern to show me the number of jobs in the world where the requirement is to fill in a little bubble with a No. 2 pencil and continuously take tests.
Maybe our administrators and teachers should grow a backbone, start teaching the way they should, and the test scores will follow by themselves.
Teachers can only do as instructed by admin.
Racer X,
Yes, the teachers have to do what the admins say, but they have just as much at stake as the admins when it comes to the PSSA scores. It is, as I said earlier, their report card.
If the teachers thought that this situation is wrong, why have we not heard from them? Why wasn't this part of their demands during last years contract negotiation?
Somebody needs to stand up and say enough is enough. Otherwise, soon you will see your kids bringing home PSSA prep homework in addition to their regular homework.
Or, even worse, we will see a decrease in normal home work in favor of PSSA prep.
Pure and simple, teachers need to teach the core material. If they do that, and do it effectively, the scores on the PSSA's should go up accordingly.
There is a rapid trend in NASD towards PSSA prep, and if we as the parents allow it to continue, the net result is our kids will only fail once they leave school.
That is unless there becomes a huge calling for people to take tests as a full time job.
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