Parents --- Your Children's Report Card May Be RiggedWritten by Joel Turtel
Under "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose students consistently fail standardized tests can be shut down. To protect their jobs, teachers and principals are now under intense pressure to cheat — to fudge test scores and report cards to fool parents and school administrators.Myron Lieberman, author and former high-school teacher, listed some of ways public schools can “cheat” in his book “Public Education: an Autopsy”: 1. Poor students were excluded or discouraged from taking tests 2. Teachers assigned tests as homework or taught test items in class 3. Test security was minimal or even nonexistent 4. Students were allowed more time than prescribed by test regulations 5. Unrealistic, highly improbable improvements from test to test were not audited or investigated 6. Teachers and administrators were not punished for flagrant violations of test procedures 7. Test results were reported in ways that exaggerated achievement levels In December 1999, a special investigation of New York City schools revealed that two principals and dozens of teachers and assistant teachers were helping students cheat on standardized math and reading tests. Andrew J. Coulson, in his brilliant book, "Market Education: The Unknown History," sites an example of how public schools deliberately lie to parents about their children’s academic abilities: “Consistently greeted by A’s and B’s on their children’s report cards, parents of Zavala Elementary School had been lulled into complacency, believing that both school and its students were performing well. In fact, Zavala was one of worst schools in district, and its students ranked near bottom on statewide standardized tests. When a new principal took over helm and requested that statewide scores be read out at a PTA meeting, parents were dismayed by their children’s abysmal showing, and furious with teachers and school officials for misleading them with inflated grades.”
| | Ten Tips To Stimulate Your Newborn's SensesWritten by Amy Faddem
A number of scientific studies have shown way a baby uses her senses in early months of life is crucial to future development. A baby, whose senses are stimulated develop a sharper memory, inquisitiveness and a better concentration. Besides, babies who are stimulated attain developmental milestones earlier have superior muscle coordination, and a safer and sounder personality.Here a few effective tips that you will find particularly useful to stimulate your newborn's senses and development, right from beginning. 1. Make your baby touch fabrics of different textures, e.g., smooth, rough, cushiony. This would help develop her sense of touch. 2. Hold up bright colored blocks or other colorful objects 10 to 12 inches away from your baby's eyes. When she focuses, try moving it left and right, up and down and then in circles. Doing so will improve her sight. 3. Provide your baby high-contrast toys such as mobiles with black-and-white or primary color patterns, or hang them in crib. These would help stimulate parts of brain controlling vision. 4. Play “Pat-a-Cake” while you hold your baby and gently move her hands. 5. Sing to your baby. Change pitch of your voice from high to low. Doing so will help hold her attention. Babies generally respond well to mom’s singing and will often help her to settle. 6. Talk to your baby whenever you are with her; describe her all that you are doing to her: bathing, changing, feeding. “Are you enjoying your bath? Do you like your new soap? Here comes a new diaper for you.” This type of descriptive talking will not only liked by your baby but is also base of communication between two of you. The more you talk to your baby more she is able to learn.
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