Child Underperforms Because Tested Above Cognitive Level

[Chenonceau]

Ooooooooooooooooh... a Daddy wrote in.

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_767767.html

It's just so amazing that despite the poor reception of the phrase Teach Less Learn More, and what that has come to connote, the MOE is so deaf (or insensitive) that it still communicates it officially. The new secondary History and Geography syllabus (sans exams) was introduced by the Straits Times as in line with Teach Less Learn More. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_764750.html. After all the complaining about Teach Less Learn More last year, they're now bringing Teach Less Learn More to secondary school. Whether MOE is deaf, hard of hearing, plain insensitive or just does not care because it is run by very intelligent people who think we're stupid... it sure gives the impression that it ain't gonna change. The problem will follow our kids as they go up to secondary school.

We have to speak up. Again and again and again in different ways, spoken by a myriad different voices. Through various different media. Each in our own way. Those who can write, should write on blogs, facebook and to the newspapers. Those who get interviewed should speak. Those who can make videos should use that alternative voice. Those who do art, should express the pain of parents and children in Singapore. And we should talk to friends, relatives and colleagues. Those who have relationships with Teachers and Principals should speak to them and convince them too.

We do this for our children. It is worth it, no?

Speak up.

[Chenonceau]

jenao:

Adding my 2 cents, but ds P1 Stellar and Peri assessment experience is rather different from yours. There is no emphasis on rote learning, he hardly has any homework. A lot of mini task/test on listening, show and tell, group work, learning centre activities etc. Each topic, they go through maybe one or two exercises/ws in class and that's it. And I think Stellar and Peri is very subjective, it all depends on the teacher. Another mummy whose gal is in another class was complaining that her gal has homework everyday for every subject. So, I think like what Chen said, it all depends on teachers and schools to see how much work they want to give!

Jenao, I am not countering what you said. Just using your post as a hook to hang the post below from earlier.

It has been said that the differences in teaching quality arise from the empowerment given to Principals and Teachers to respond flexibly to student needs. It is quite possible to have flexibility AND equivalent high quality at the same time. In this way, there is BOTH empowerment and consistent quality. One of the easiest way to do so is to provide sufficient high quality resources to ALL teachers so that they can flexibly decide how to help each individual student without being constrained by whether or not the school itself provides enough teaching resources, or that she has no time nor the ability to write them.

Don't Teachers realize that it is their inalienable right to have access to educational materials to teach with without having to write them personally? Would a farmer ask an odd job labourer to hoe the soil without providing a hoe?

I am all for empowerment. One can ensure complete equity in access to resources and STILL have empowerment. It is not one or the other. MOE is in the business of knowledge transfer. Organisational Consultants are also in the business of knowledge transfer.

More than 10 years ago, as a young consultant, I hadn't yet amassed the kind of experience I have today. My company had consulting offices in 66 locations worldwide. We were linked to a common BRAIN with every imaginable case study possible from all 66 locations. In there, I could access with a few clicks, research papers and consulting reports written for every client that the company had ever had, in every country that the company worked in. If I wanted, I could make a request for raw data too... Everything was there. Formulae, models, spreadsheets...

We had to Think Global Act Local. No... I didn't work in HSBC. Nonetheless, we were still asked to do that. Back in those days, IT networks weren't quite as advanced. The company ran hardwired cables to carry the kind of data consultants needed to be able to tailor interventions to clients. Many of our clients were MNCs. They expected a consistent level of quality service tailored to their needs in the different countries they were present in. When Caltex first set up HQ in Singapore, their Global HR Director was a PhD. She gave my company business not because of me. I had NO PhD. I didn't KNOW research. She knew more than me, except that I was a conduit through which my company passed know-how to her.

It didn't matter who was the consultant, you had access to the same materials, the same BRAIN. The company just needed to recruit people who could think and process fast, so that we could process all that data and info, and pass it on. I was young and inexperienced but I was greatly empowered. No one told me what to do with the client. As long as there are no complaints, you do your job with little interference. I was EMPOWERED no less by access to the BRAIN. If I had trouble, there were practice leaders to ask. These could be in ANY country.

MOE is in a single country. It's Teachers don't share teaching resources. It's schools don't share teaching resources. Why? Households are fast getting open net. Mindef gives its recruits iPADs. MOE does not have a e-sharing platform that would cost a fraction to set up today compared to the system we set up to link up 66 offices worldwide. Why?

MOE has been sleeping all these years, and it still thinks it is world class. MOE management was busy getting Teachers to serve that it forgot that they need to serve the Teachers too.

[kitty2]

ksme:

ksi:

[quote=\"Chenonceau\"]

At least show good faith by fixing textbooks and e-resources. No implications there but what is good. The textbooks are a disgrace. No one needs them to do everything at the same time. Do something and stop praising themselves as world class.

I think instead of fixing textbooks per se, put a list of relevant and good resources recommendation in the booklist and make it optional. Good resources also mean it comes with high cost (IIRC, there is a resource that cost $32) and then after that many parents will cry that education is so expensive and then it will kill the spirit of change again.

I know a few schools have put in Science guide books into their P3 - P6 book list.[/quote]Alot of them were asked to buy but teachers don't use them,use it yourself at home or leave it in the store room :rotflmao:

[kitty2]

Chenonceau:

Ooooooooooooooooh... a Daddy wrote in.

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_767767.html

It's just so amazing that despite the poor reception of the phrase Teach Less Learn More, and what that has come to connote, the MOE is so deaf (or insensitive) that it still communicates it officially. The new secondary History and Geography syllabus (sans exams) was introduced by the Straits Times as in line with Teach Less Learn More. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_764750.html. After all the complaining about Teach Less Learn More last year, they're now bringing Teach Less Learn More to secondary school. Whether MOE is deaf, hard of hearing, plain insensitive or just does not care because it is run by very intelligent people who think we're stupid... it sure gives the impression that it ain't gonna change. The problem will follow our kids as they go up to secondary school.

We have to speak up. Again and again and again in different ways, spoken by a myriad different voices. Through various different media. Each in our own way. Those who can write, should write on blogs, facebook and to the newspapers. Those who get interviewed should speak. Those who can make videos should use that alternative voice. Those who do art, should express the pain of parents and children in Singapore. And we should talk to friends, relatives and colleagues. Those who have relationships with Teachers and Principals should speak to them and convince them too.

We do this for our children. It is worth it, no?

Speak up.

Let's take turn to write to ST forum :rotflmao: Everyday one article,i think only the editor can hear

[concern2]

kitty2:

Let's take turn to write to ST forum :rotflmao: Everyday one article,i think only the editor can hear

Eventually MOE will also be blind. :rotflmao:

[janet88]

concern2:

Chenonceau:

I absolutely understand. If you had asked me in end-P4, I would have maintained that we have a world class system too.

So is it really for the preparation of PSLE that the pressure builds up for all - schools, teachers and parents? I heard that by the time one gets to P6, one would be immune to it. How does that make you feel?

At the end of P4, it will be the end of honeymoon and welcome to the REAL world...P5 is a rude awakening for everyone. Last year P5, I couldn't understand the madness of such an idiotic syllabus for Math. This year I am not immune...homework is piled on everyday and as such it's hard to revise anything with him...basically :xedfingers: that he can make it although we should all be looking at the big picture. Why can't MOE scrap the stupid CA ?

[janet88]

concern2:

beanbear:

Each of us needs to take small actions of courage in a system that has been well-oiled to get compliance from not just students but parents as well. The word \"compulsory\" is already enough to trigger fears of even the smartest parent.

When we speak up or act to move against the tide, we are also standing up against our own fears.

:goodpost:

I find the whole supplementary thing at P5 a waste of time. As such, I decided to pull my son out of it this year. The word 'compulsory' is to instill fear in parents...if we bear the responsibility of our kids' PSLE preparation and coach them, I believe we can tell the school our decision.

[concern2]

janet_lee88:

concern2:

[quote=\"beanbear\"]
Each of us needs to take small actions of courage in a system that has been well-oiled to get compliance from not just students but parents as well. The word \"compulsory\" is already enough to trigger fears of even the smartest parent.

When we speak up or act to move against the tide, we are also standing up against our own fears.

:goodpost:

I find the whole supplementary thing at P5 a waste of time. As such, I decided to pull my son out of it this year. The word 'compulsory' is to instill fear in parents...if we bear the responsibility of our kids' PSLE preparation and coach them, I believe we can tell the school our decision.[/quote]Wow. I am visualizing the headlines when the PSLE results are out: \"Student withdrew from supplementary classes in school to do self-study Tops the cohort\"

Can imagine what all the rest of the parents will start doing. But then, it will never get past the editor (perhaps)

[Chenonceau]

It's amazing isn't it. Our MOE thinks it is world class when...

(1) its textbooks look like chick lit
(2) it makes each school write its own teaching resources
(3) it recruits sex fiends
(4) it drives our children to meet KPIs, and when a few of them make it in US varsities, it congratulates itself.

Wow... MOE's top civil servants have delusions of grandeur.

[janet88]

No need to top the whole cohort, but topping the kids in the top classes in the school is good enough.


MOE is blind to us. When kids of top guns do well (maybe some don't and get sent overseas), will they bother with our kids ? We still have to attend mainstream, not international schools. We pay money to tutors to teach our kids what the school teachers should be doing. When our kids do well, school gets the glory. Amazing :slapshead: