A Pupil Held Back, a Heavier Burden [The NYT tries to slam Gov Bush]

THE NYT ^ | May 21, 2003 | MICHAEL WINERIP

[summer]

Whom to ask? The test? And what does the test know about the emotional burdens on an 11-year-old third grader with a fifth-grade twin?

No, silly, don't "ask the test." Instead, ask teachers how they "feel" in middle school and high school when their students read on a grade school level. Ever think about that teacher's "emotional burden"? And ask those students who couldn't read in 3rd grade and still can't read in 8th grade how they "feel."

Also, ask the state's citizens how they "feel" about FCAT and Gov Bush's continuous efforts to make a high school diploma mean something. Here is a short list of FL editorials about this matter, from all over the state -- and, all in favor of Gov Bush -- and I wish the NYT would cover this side of the dialogue as well:

Recent FCAT editorials, from various FL newspapers

[summer]

Note: The NYT article is posted in full and is actually not an excerpt.

[summer]

And, we'll try that link again:

Recent FCAT editorials, from various FL newspapers

[summer]

A very interesting new web site from the State of FL:

READ TO LEARN

[summer]

Another new web site for FL students, parents and teachers: www.justreadflorida.com

[summer]

A lot of good information worth saving in the links posted in my replies #3, #4 and #5. :)

[Frohickey]

Sounds more like the failure of the teachers to instruct the students, rather than the students not having what it takes to pass the test.

Its better to fail in school and do it over than fail in the workplace. There is no 'do over' in the workplace.

[summer]

Unless your name is "Jayson Blair." :)

[Savage Beast]

"a 'snakepit,' full of idiots and racists"
~Jayson Blair

[stylin19a]

When their daughter Cheyanne was a first grader, she was diagnosed with an attention disorder, prescribed medicine and kept back. Since then, her progress has been steady. This year she made honor roll twice.

um.....didn't this article say being held back is bad ?

[Truth Addict]

When Mr. Perez arrived at Arbor Ridge Elementary

Mr. Winerip needs to get his facts straight. It's Arbor Ridge School, a combined elementary and middle school. Both of my sons are students there. It is a magnet school that stresses academics and has limited sports and other extracurricular activities so that students have more time to devote to studies.

If Mr. Perez's son had extra help from his teachers, tutors, and himself, and still couldn't pass the FCAT, then it is likely that his son would benefit from being held back so that his brain has the extra development it needs to learn those capabilities. I understand the anguish he and his son feel, but to blame Gov. Bush for his son's lack of ability to pass an assesment test is misplaced anger.

The NYT just cannot stand the thought that students, teachers, and schools are being held accountable for their failures as well as their successes. They would rather see failing students shuffled through the system without any demands that they actually learn anything, than to see them stigmatized by being held back. To them, it's all about self-esteem, not learning. Our governor has a better idea.

[therut]

Better this child gets over it now. I had a classmate in the 11th grade. Me and him were 1 and 2 in our graduating class. He got a B in typing and he cried and his MOTHER came and picked him up.(he was kinda over protected and spoiled) We both ended up going to the same college and medical school. He is now a psychiatrist-- go figure. His 16 year old son rolled his brand new corvette last week. Thank goodness he is O:K . He already had a new fancy foreign sports car bought for him before he got home from the hospital. Me I always did my best and never cried. I got mad at myself. And by the way I had no car to drive in highschool. Did not get a new one until I bought it myself after finishing residency at age 30. O:k all this does not pertain necessarily to this article but sometimes by failing you learn and sometimes not always getting everything you want teaches you better values.

[Kryptonite]

. "My son keeps saying, `I don't want to go to school, Daddy.' "

If a child of mine was in the same position as this child, I'd seriously consider taking matters into my own hand and homeschooling. If that could not happen, then I'd absolutely make certain that I spent whatever time was necessary with him after school to make him improve his reading skills, and instill pride not only in himself, but also his school.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Two thoughts...

I was held back in school, in the second grade, went on to surpass my peers in my abilities. I do not care what the long-term studies say. If the parents have the right attitude, and really work with their child, there is a good chance the child will never have ill effects from being retained.

Second, my brother graduated, unable to read, in 1978. He is dyslexic. Back then, social promotion was accepted. All he had to do was show up in class. Because he never received extra teaching in school, he is significantly handicapped as an adult. My parents did not have the tools to work with his disablity. Promoting him helped his self-esteem, but harmed his capacity to be a very productive person. Today, his handicap would be treated much differently.

Gov. Bush is trying to ensure that the students in Florida have all of the skills they need for success in life. Why should he be faulted for that?

[summer]

LOL....thank you for that reminder. I have not bought the NYT since its mea culpa edition. :)

[ETCM]

Why worry about reading? You don't need to read to be indoctrinated, the "teachers" will tell you what to think.

[Lancey Howard]

I think this whole story about a "Mr. Perez" is made up.
I mean, this is the New York Times, right?
Who's going to believe them?

[summer]

Gov. Bush is trying to ensure that the students in Florida have all of the skills they need for success in life. Why should he be faulted for that?

I have listened to the arguments "for" social promotion and against the standards Gov Bush has imposed. I've concluded the opponents of Gov Bush are angry for this reason: He is a member of the GOP. That is the real "fault" of Gov Bush.

If the Dem leaders in FL had ever - ever - placed a focus on education like this governor has done, and demanded the state, parents and teachers get together and increase student achievement, then, IMO, those people now opposing Gov Bush would be celebrating with parades in the street. But, since Gov Bush is a Republican, they give him grief.

However, the good news is he has far more supporters than opponents in this state, and that support crosses political lines.

[summer]

ROTFLMAO.... :)

[summer]

The NYT just cannot stand the thought that students, teachers, and schools are being held accountable for their failures as well as their successes. They would rather see failing students shuffled through the system without any demands that they actually learn anything, than to see them stigmatized by being held back. To them, it's all about self-esteem, not learning. Our governor has a better idea.

I agree with you, Truth Addict. BTW, check out what these other FL educators are saying in support of Gov Bush:

READ TO LEARN -- FL Educators Talk: Comments from Seven FL Teachers and a FL Principal</a.