Child Underperforms Because Tested Above Cognitive Level

[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:

[Chenonceau]

janet_lee88:

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:

Their delusions of grandeur are founded upon parents/tutors' success at enriching kids.

[PiggyLalala]

autumnbronze:

Chenonceau:

MOE is in a single country. It's Teachers don't share teaching resources. It's schools don't share teaching resources. [color=#800000][b]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.

Nice read :hugs:

I love the significance of the word 'empowerment'. I always use this word to motivate my pupils.

Chen,

Hope I am reading this correctly.

As to why teachers and schs are not sharing resources, it's due to
competition, insecurity of the people in question and KPIs. Thats what I observed during my time.

Whether KPIs are achieved or not, there has to be justification. And believe me, no one wants to produce a negative justification.

On a separate note, I came across in one of your postings where you questioned why teachers with passion are not being promoted. Well, its pretty obvious - they are not there to wayang and suck up to the 'right' people. Again, these are based on my personal observations. There was a teacher who always did the wayang during her lesson observations and presentations. She did well. So well that recently I heard that she has been posted to MOE. And these are the sort of people who will be spearheading MOE's policies .... Imagine that! *gasp*


I never said there weren't any bad apples in the teaching profession

Are we expecting too much from the teachers to ask them to share their resources? Teachers have many KPIs to achieve and one of it is likely to be the academic performance of their students in the national exam like PSLE and 'O' level. It is also not very fair for the teachers who have spent a lot of time and effort to come up with the right resources for her students and to share with schools and yet is not rewarded for her time and effort.

Teachers need to explain to their HODs why they fail to achieve certain KPIs and what are the followup actions ( which means more work). I think it is then quite normal for teachers who have come up with the correct resources to hope that her students would do well in the exam. (yes maybe to the extent of being selfish not to share the resources with other schools )

I think instead of faulting these diligent teachers and schools, we may want to question those schools that did not come up with their own resources to help their own students. I'm sure they are aware of the good resources that their neighbouring schools are using. Can't they also come up with a set of useful resources for their students. I think all schools should be assessed based on the resources ( not only the program ) that they have for their students.

I believed all schools will have some very experienced and senior teachers. These teachers in each level can be assigned to write suitable resource to help their pupils. These teachers with their extra duties will then given lesser teaching periods or no CCA.

Just my 2cents. Please do not :spank: me.