No, I did not see this program but I must respond anyway.
I do not believe standardized testing, at least the way it is currently applied, is an effective tool in evaluating
any child's level of learning/comprehending nor does it determine the quality of education that a child is being given.
The quality/quantity of the curriculum, prior to the actual testing, is reduced significantly because the majority of the time is spent
DRILLING children on practice exam materials. Most of the school year is spent learning how to bubble in answers and how to become accustomed to multiple choice, computer scored formats. These "drills" take time from
real teaching and learning.
As a future English teacher/present writing tutor who works with students on developing ideas, finding their own voice as writers, and organizing papers in ways that are appropriate to both...I find conflict with the essay part of the standardized tests. The format restricts the students to writing in a prescriptive way that is only good for producing
predictable, rote writing...and not writing as it relates to thinking, language and development, and enriching one's vocabulary and ideas. The latter, which is the proper way of writing, is replaced by
writing to format.
As for helping our children and building their self-esteem, this begins in the home. It is up to us, as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., to teach
OUR children that they are special and that they must learn to love and respect themselves.
We must teach them important lessons about race and how despite racism, African Americans...
HIS/HER PEOPLE...have acheived unprecendented levels of success and acclaim.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, the most important thing we, as adults, can do is stay involved in
our children's lives. It truly takes a village to raise a child.
I apologize for the length of this post, but you have touched on two subjects that are of extreme importance to me...children and education.
[This message has been edited by Sexy Mocha (edited August 24, 2000).]