#vachat Archive
#vachat is a great way for Virginia educators to share teaching strategies, educational resources, and more.
Monday February 29, 2016
8:00 PM EST
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Good evening and welcome to . We're discussing issues in education tonight.
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Hi. I am Mary and I teach 2nd in NO VA
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As you introduced yourself, our intro question. Your thoughts on last night's Oscars...
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Hey ers welcome to another great Monday!
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Christine. Elementary gifted. Charlottesville. Oscars: I didn't watch, but I hear Lady Gaga was robbed.
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Ramona from Patrick County
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I didn't watcch either. https://t.co/e4XHEAtW02
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Christine. Elementary gifted. Charlottesville. Oscars: I didn't watch, but I hear Lady Gaga was robbed.
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I'm with I didn't watch the Oscars and can't tell you the last time I did--if ever
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I think they were great or awful... Who knows, I didn't watch the Oscars!
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I didn't watch the Oscars
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Brad in Bangkok. Wondering when educators will receive same adulation and recognition as actors.
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I'm not sure what this says about us that none of use watched the Oscars.
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Hi . Sarah here from Woodbridge, but I work in MD.
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Well that would be nice! Maybe one day!
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. I work in Elementary.. I get adulation everyday. Nothing better than your kids happy to start another day with you.
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Oscar who? And why is there more than one of them?
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Our first questions will deal with equality and equity in education
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Q1: There’s a huge gap b/n poor and wealthy b4 school starts What’s the impact and how can we change it? https://t.co/PcVJmvQFy5
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A1: Poor Ss lose more every summer than higher SES. Need to close summer gap.
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I can't help it if I was born,this way... Maker of bad jokes that is...
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. Michael in Charlottesville
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BTW: Each question tonight will include a fact or graphic
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A1 Helping less advantaged Ss make strong relationship connections at school.
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A1: Ss start kindergarten behind their peers and it doesn't take them long to figure it out. Heartbreaking.
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It becomes our responsibility to catch them up. A continual challenge
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A1: As a gifted specialist, we miss Ss who 100% are gifted b/c they don't look like the "typical" gifted S.
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A1: why preschool is very important. However new study says preschools in poorer areas are less effective also.
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. If preschool was about play and social skills, as it should be, then the academic learning would begin for most at same time
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I watched the Oscars from begin to end for the 1st time in years. Chris Rock rocked under the pressure#
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Absolutely! It seems just as we make progress, it's time for summer break and the gap widens. Again.
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Changing structures on what it means to be successful will help. Not about where you start, especially KG!! https://t.co/O2OLr4YnYW
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A1: Ss start kindergarten behind their peers and it doesn't take them long to figure it out. Heartbreaking.
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I hate, but understand, that there's so much beyond our control as educators. But we still are DIFFERENCE MAKERS!
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A1: reduce poverty.. Which is a societal issue
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Close gaps poverty creates by addressing
All children should be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, & challenged.
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There are things beyond our control but if dare to think outside the box, we can still change worlds.
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Here comes question 2 on equity.
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A nice segue to question 2 ...
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Poverty is community issue & needs a two-prong approach: address student AND family needs. FAMILY is key in breaking poverty cycle.
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Must GO to where families visit: laundromat, fast food, parks, playgrounds, grocery stores, etc.
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A2: School-based after school programs can have a big impact. We also have outside orgs that come in to run programs at school.
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A2: quality of after school programs matter a great deal. Can't just say more will help, quality is extremely important
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Several years ago read about a school in midwest that was all things (after school, health clinic, comm center).
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we need more than tutoring. Not that it can't be positive but more school is not always the answer
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Opportunities for the 80% of week students aren't in school must be collaborative. Community issue and can be convener.
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We have great librarians &who run . Books delivered M/Th to neighborhoods in summer.
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A2 Extra support is big reason why rich move ahead. How will low income districts afford or get free after school learning?
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churches were a favorite of mine to visit...
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Great point! More of the same definitely is NOT the answer
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A1 Does anyone check gov't offices: unemployment, free clinics, social services?
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Afterschool programs shouldn't feel like a punishment either & often do. Unless we change what we do, we'll get the same results.
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Need to get books of their own into kids hands
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A2 Keeping in mind the social/emotional support for all Ss, It doesn't take a village to educate a rich kid.
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That's exactly what does. Books, freezy pops, & visits from librarians & teachers.
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A2. High-value if you chose a variety of engaging programs/opportunities & provide meals
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our Ss that get food backpacks also get a book every week, high interest and on level.
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Yes, it should be more like ; must really think through goals and approaches.
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Do they get to keep the books?
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It wouldn't be issues in education if we didn't talk about testing...question 3 coming up and the stat is scary and startling
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why even have grades? It is by product of old system. Doesn't help learning, only ranks learners
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Sigh. Student choice. Student engagement. The very thing struggling Ss rarely get but most desperately need.
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We have them for all the wrong reasons
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Q3 What’s the impact of the standardized testing (although Virginia is backing off of some) on students? https://t.co/rRSf7dr4gL
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Does standards based report cards rank Ss? https://t.co/CHae4CiaGz
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why even have grades? It is by product of old system. Doesn't help learning, only ranks learners
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yes! So they get about 40 books a year... All Ss in the family, of school age get them
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Problems we have a lot of "shawshank" teachers - grades are like prison walls they provide protection
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A2 So many foundations are looking to support the ; it's a matter of research.
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me too. Big I didn't have to, I wouldn't. Says a lot about priorities and tradition.
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A3: hate testing for my 2nd graders.
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That's awesome! I'd love to implement something like that.
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protection is the wrong emaning - more structure or a context
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my reading specialist and I came up with it and a local church provided Grant money.
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it does in eyes of teachers. Right?
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protection is the wrong word - instead structure or context
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Yeah. Public partnership between school-rec dept-dept of health. I'm thinking Minnesota but can't remember
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SPOT ON! can't choose who to take credit for and who to blame poverty on.
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not very complicated... My reading specialist and classroom Ts take care of it in about 10 minutes a quarter.
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We have backpack buddies. Never thought f adding books. Food for thought.
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standardized tests: strangles system. Limits learning. Disrupts organic/natural inquiry. Decides winners and losers.
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I am not a prisoner of Shawshank I just work with them .....
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A3: I feel like 1.6% is too low a number. So much lost instructional time to get ready for a one moment in time test.
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True. I think it's just referring to the actual time taking the tests
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that's exactly what we call it! Feed Your Mind!
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A3: Standards presume all students know/recite at t"same time irregardless of anything else. High-stakes standard tests are problem.
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of course not. But it does happen realistically. Limits seeing gifts of Ss sometimes 2
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I think they mean actual time,taking the test, prep not included.
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A3: it help some, but not all. We need hands on project based, achievement driven, curiosity endusing classrooms
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A3: Standards presume all students know/recite at same time irregardless of anything else. High-stakes standard tests are problem.
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A3 The FOCUS and EMPHASIS on standardized testing is devastating and impedes real progress in improving learning.
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in many regards, I see them as being very similar. Yes
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I get that, but I feel like that's actually the smallest amount of the time spent.
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We are expected to differentiate instruction but give the same test?? Does this make sense? https://t.co/2LePPWfeTG
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A3: Standards presume all students know/recite at same time irregardless of anything else. High-stakes standard tests are problem.
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I hesitate to say this but 20 years ago it did bring a focus to what we do. Standardization (not tests) has a place
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Thanks! Something to bring to the PTO, perhaps.
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comes out to about 3 days of testing.
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Many urban schools, esp HS follow a community-based model: health care, child care on the premises
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I don't think having standards is the problem
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Q4: Is there too much, too little or just the right amount of emphasis on tech in education?
https://t.co/WILpeuEijP
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same test is fine... Really we want to judge them against the same criteria...
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Agree. Not against standardized evaluation but rating kids, schools, countries on results is harmful.
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The high-stakes testing attached to standards and performance is the problem.
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I think there is a balance - Ss should be able to show what they know in a variety of ways. https://t.co/hlEZwabmCH
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same test is fine... Really we want to judge them against the same criteria...
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A3 Testing is scary for Ss, tchrs, admin and schools. They all live or die by the scores. Humiliation Hurts!
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Yes, high stakes tests are an issue but not all tests are high stakes
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is it fair to compare 2 Ss from different backgrounds? Should we have differnt expectations
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Yes, testing should be used to inform instruction/lesson planning.Not as a
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at times... We make all Ss show they can drive a car for their license, A powerpoint doesn't count here
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If you do have different (lower) expectations - aren't Ts then part of the problem?
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A4 It depends. To me, the only way you can have too much tech is when there is no purpose for it.
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Not different expectations but some need more time, different assessment.
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A4 Amount of tech in schools doesn't matter until we shift instructional & assessment strategies to leverage its value.
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I fell into this trap 10 years ago (fortunately realized it)...tech for tech's sake meant less learning
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A4: technology is an overused and misused word. A toothbrush is technology,but is a mechanical one better than traditional. Yes.
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Q4 Some schools/districts use it to replace tchrs or to provide to . More about capitalism than learning. #
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Tech must be leveraged for S learning
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Never fair to compare students. We are in the teaching & learning business.
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I use tech to connect my Ss to the world. In Feb, I did GHO, 2 author skypes and a mystery # skype w/ pen pals
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Tech is a tool and should be used as one. You don't use a hammer to fix everything.
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for base knowledge do believe that same assessment is OK. How we get there...
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Or how do you decide what qualifies as base knowledge.
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Our primary focus should always be on learning. Not the most recent fad, nor should we be drawn to bells and whistles
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Do you know your per pupil local commitment? Some aren't enough & some systems are doing A LOT with little. https://t.co/YFDjvUXsks
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Q5 Grad rates hit a high, gaps have narrowed. Does this mean we're doing better or is it a false positive? https://t.co/jVYFzyFzc2
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Back to standards, every grade level has SOLs even if no SOL test
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know we get into curriculum & Development! Little politics here!
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Yes, pencils, pens, chalk were at one time tech. And some tchrs abused their use with OVER emphasis on .
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Assessments should guide teachers, not rate schools.
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A5: Does it have to be either or? We're doing better but it's also more imperative to graduate from HS than it used to be.
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why SOLd should,be given in fall to guide formative assessment.
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That would require a fundamental change in how they're viewed.
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We have beg of year assessments and quarterly benchmarks
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A5: I think more of us are doing it right!
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Benchmarks have become part of getting ready for SOL test in many instances.
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A5: I believe it is a false positive. The gaps are closing but they're trending down in scores instead of rising up.
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I'd love it. I used to give released tests at BOY for exactly that reason.
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The accountability movement has had negatives (over-testing) but in this aspect (increased graduation rates) I think it's helped
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Unfortunately, Ts (and admin) don't have a say in that
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Valid point. What do the test measure? What are cut rates? How are they determined? Moving targets
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A5 What get measured gets the focus. Tchrs are pressured to pass Ss. Admin rated by grad rates. No uniform system exists.
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so we get rid of the benchmarks and just give the SOLs.. No putative actions.
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Why categorize learning? advanced, proficient...When did the fun and individualization of learning get lost? https://t.co/KtBYvOVS6X
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I don't give SOLs (2nd grade) but now required to give BOy and Q. benchmarks
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A6: not too worried about college and career ready in 2nd. Kids need to know how to read
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A6: Stop making VoTech the red-headed stepchild of education. Give Ss a reason to apply what they've learned.
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we do though... SOL committee, run for positions, elect those with like thoughts.
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not enough of a day though!
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Some districts give benchmarks a bad name! Their purpose got lost along the way.
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Cut rates ARE . I served on a state committee. LOL
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SO TRUE!!!!!!!!! When did Vo-Tech get such a bad rap?? https://t.co/EC8KcXEN1f
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A6: Stop making VoTech the red-headed stepchild of education. Give Ss a reason to apply what they've learned.
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Basically benchmarks are given for teacher eval. - Just saying
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We do have data days to review data and go over results.
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I'd love to see how today's students would do with the first incarnations/cut rates
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A6: Emotionally ready quote hits home. I spend a lot of time on the social/emotional pieces of school. Perfectionism is an issue.
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A6: I use tech, presentations, research, & still have Ss, Ps, & Admin resist. They need to understand it's not JUST about the grade
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Had a great conversation in the fall with CATEC (tech school) about just that CTE matters
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Had a great conversation in the fall with CATEC (tech school) about just that CTE matters
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Chances are most students will be parents and need to cook, so why not require nutrition, parenting classes as required classes
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is so great for so many Ss. I just wish it were given the respect it deserves.
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College is not for everyone. I know from personal exp. w/ my daughter who at 20 was out on her own and paid for everything
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Because they're not weighted and it would "kill my GPA". Actual reason why Ss don't take band in HS.
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A6 Tchrs job description has changed; must teach critical thinking to ALL Ss; beyond the basic skills of yesterday.
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Yep! Had a S who realized as a freshman that she wasn't going to be valedictorian because she was a band geek
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Because those don't fall under the STEAM mantra. We're playing politics w/education & the Ss lose that game every time
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I'm a big proponent of STEAM but it was funny to watch how the A got added
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Thx for leading us on tonight!
