When I Think of Child Development …
“The path of development is a journey of discovery that is clear only in retrospect, and it’s rarely a straight line.”
― Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child's True Potential
Another ending to a great session of learning is upon us! Good luck to each classmate and colleague as we continue on with this journey! I'm sure we'll all find each other along the way again :)
Holistic Assessments
In the state of VA, regarding school age children, the main development is based on Standard of Learning (SOL) testing. The SOL’s begin in the 3rd grade, and from my experience are tests that are strongly stressed for classroom passing (hence school wide passing) to ensure continual funds to the specific schools. If a school, entirely, fails SOL’s for two consecutive years guardians of enrolled students have an option of enrolling their child(ren) into a neighboring school (same county of schooling though) of their choosing that has successfully passed the SOL’s. With the threat of losing students to other schools and ultimately the loss of funds and transferring of educators or releasing of educators that continually show failing student test scores, the main focus within the classrooms is the understanding of content solely on the SOL testing.
My purpose for sharing this specific scenario is based on the lack of properly committing to the holistic development of a child. Although cognitive learning is of a high regard, without the effective monitoring of biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive development a child can go beneath the radar of emotional development and lack the apparent skills he/she needs to be a successful adult (or other developmental areas emotional was used as an example). In my opinion, if a child is properly assessed at all developmental milestones then any delay or difficulty the child may have will be quickly recognized and hopefully properly treated which enables the child to be best suited to succeed.
In our centers we use Ages and Stages Questionnaire as a form of assessment. What I love about the ASQ’s is that they touch on each developmental area (biosocially, psychosocially, and cognitive). Parents and educators together assess the child, which results in the best assessment. Children tend to behave and learn differently in the different arenas of life that they are in. By including the guardians in the assessment, I believe it allows for the best “holistic” assessment available. Below is a sample of an ASQ assessment.
http://www.agesandstages.com/pdfs/questionnaire_diagram.pdf
Assessments in South Korea
“They take this test called the PELT exam in Korea. (and other parts of SE Asia). It's a test that revolves around the child's listening/reading comprehension abilities in English, and they are asked multiple choice questions regarding conversation, and problem solving- there is even some math (in English) on it. The children are mostly grouped by age, but also by level of ability. If you check out the Kid's College website for South Korea, there is actually a graph that shows how they range the kids according to ability. Most Hagwons (day elementary) and kindergarten schools are judged like this. They do not merely have a grade 1, grade 2, grade 3 for example...but the A students go with the A students, the B with the B etc, and once the kids compete and particular kids advance in the class they move them up. For instance, I teach a second grade class, level "2" which is a medium level second grade class. My 10 year olds (age 8 and 9 here) are in 5th grade, but because they are high level they are grade 5.5.)- They are also mixed with international students within the school if they grade on an honor roll level/ this is considered to be ivy league in Korea; to be able to goto school with persons of other cultures” (C. Trigaux, personal communication, 30 March 2012).
Website per assessments used in South Korea per discussion of assessments.
http://www.kidscollege.co.kr/kidsaaa/board.php?board=vxxenglish&config=2&command=body&no=17
“I taught 3-6th grade and the assessment were based off of tests. tests. test. I honestly did not see any other way of assessment, at least not in my "English" class. I know the Korean teachers were big on lecturing, board work, worksheets, tests. When I observed their classes there was not any goofing off. The kids sat still followed the teacher and did what he said...completely different from here in the States” (J. Ferguson, personal communication, 30 March 2012).
Ferguson, J. (2012, March 30). Email communication.
Trigaux, C. (2012, March 30). Email communication.
