2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[Snow Crystal]

happyheart:

The CA1 English result came back yesterday. About half of class failed the 1st test of the year (I have not seen the paper so can't comment much on difficulty level)...but the worst part is not that. DS told me the teacher gave out the paper and called out the failures' name... 'x failed, y failed,z failed'!

Why do some teacher want to crash the confidence of 11 years old? It is not good...not good at all! It is probably one of the school 'strategy' to set tougher paper, fail the kids so as to 'push' them into working harder but seriously, I question the approach and now that manner it is being executed.

This type of teacher really makes me :mad:
Saying such things to 11 year olds have different effects to different kids - the mentally strong type will take it and brush it aside or even resolve to work harder, but those who are more sensitive and shy may find it hurting their egos....such teachers should be sent for re-training of EQ... Are these teachers so stressed that they must go around transferring some of their stress to the poor kids with hurtful and low EQ remarks.
Imagine ourselves as the kids - There is a difference between 'xx, you failed!' in a cynical voice and 'xx, try harder, I believe you can score better' in an encouraging voice.
I also question the approach of setting killer papers. These schools who set such papers do not necessarily perform better in PSLE - perhaps the students there largely have bruised egos :gloomy: It's as though one KPI of the exam setter is 'How many students you manage to fail in this paper you set' :nailbite:
A setter who can come up with a paper of reasonable standard which gives a nice bell curve is more commendable.

[beanbear]

DD’s entire class failed the CA Maths test. She was still feeling "proud" because she had 2nd highest marks in the class at 18 out of 50!! I just saw the paper and even the MCQ was ridiculously difficult. DD only manage to get 2 correct!!


Sigh, don’t understand Singapore schools anymore. It’s really feels like a competition for which school can set the most difficult paper and who can demoralize children more effectively. DD has become so used to failing and thank God she still has her self-esteem intact and able to look for what areas she has done well.

[Zekezachzoom]

beanbear:

DD's entire class failed the CA Maths test. She was still feeling \"proud\" because she had 2nd highest marks in the class at 18 out of 50!! I just saw the paper and even the MCQ was ridiculously difficult. DD only manage to get 2 correct!!


Sigh, don't understand Singapore schools anymore. It's really feels like a competition for which school can set the most difficult paper and who can demoralize children more effectively. DD has become so used to failing and thank God she still has her self-esteem intact and able to look for what areas she has done well.

Omg... This is not helping the kids at all. It just demoralizing everyone. I can understand the school setting a slightly difficult paper, but what is the point to go to such an extreme to set a paper that out To fail everyone . No logic at all :?

[toddles]

Zekezachzoom:

beanbear:

DD's entire class failed the CA Maths test. She was still feeling \"proud\" because she had 2nd highest marks in the class at 18 out of 50!! I just saw the paper and even the MCQ was ridiculously difficult. DD only manage to get 2 correct!!


Sigh, don't understand Singapore schools anymore. It's really feels like a competition for which school can set the most difficult paper and who can demoralize children more effectively. DD has become so used to failing and thank God she still has her self-esteem intact and able to look for what areas she has done well.

Omg... This is not helping the kids at all. It just demoralizing everyone. I can understand the school setting a slightly difficult paper, but what is the point to go to such an extreme to set a paper that out To fail everyone . No logic at all :?

This used to happen for C Maths in JC. Quite common across JCs. It used to be a \"wake-up call\" kind of thing for all the complacent J1s to wake up their idea.

But bringing it many years forward to P5 P6? a bit harsh i agree.

[Charnic]

I have been reading faithfully at these PSLE discussions quietly, in the hope of preparing myself mentally in 2 years time. Never did I least expect the waves to sweep me so fast. Gal came back from her CA1 Maths yesterday. Told me many of the students cried as the test was super hard. Even, before the start of the paper, t informed that this paper is hard. What sort of mentality is T trying to create in these little 10 years old mindset before the start of the paper ? :siao:

Sigh... cannot wait for the paper to be returned.. Just when I thought that her confidence in Maths is building up, she is being brought down again, by an exceptional tough paper ...

[MrsSeah]

CNS:

I have been reading faithfully at these PSLE discussions quietly, in the hope of preparing myself mentally in 2 years time. Never did I least expect the waves to sweep me so fast. Gal came back from her CA1 Maths yesterday. Told me many of the students cried as the test was super hard. Even, before the start of the paper, t informed that this paper is hard. What sort of mentality is T trying to create in these little 10 years old mindset before the start of the paper ? :siao:

Sigh... cannot wait for the paper to be returned.. Just when I thought that her confidence in Maths is building up, she is being brought down again, by an exceptional tough paper ...

So that parents and students get panic mode and they will start to pump in more tuition. LOL!!! After that can pull up the school PSLE score. LOL


*Joking only lah* :please:

[Chenonceau]

MrsSeah:

CNS:

I have been reading faithfully at these PSLE discussions quietly, in the hope of preparing myself mentally in 2 years time. Never did I least expect the waves to sweep me so fast. Gal came back from her CA1 Maths yesterday. Told me many of the students cried as the test was super hard. Even, before the start of the paper, t informed that this paper is hard. What sort of mentality is T trying to create in these little 10 years old mindset before the start of the paper ? :siao:

Sigh... cannot wait for the paper to be returned.. Just when I thought that her confidence in Maths is building up, she is being brought down again, by an exceptional tough paper ...

So that parents and students get panic mode and they will start to pump in more tuition. LOL!!! After that can pull up the school PSLE score. LOL


*Joking only lah* :please:

It's not a joke. It's dead serious. Principals' bonuses and Teachers' promotions are at stake. Our tuition money funds others' careers and our kids work like slaves.

[Charnic]

Frankly, such news from her do affect my mood a little. This is the 3rd Maths test for this term and the first one was a breeze to most, 2nd test she is still scoring though she came back to tell that one third of the class failed. That really gives her a booster as she has been relatively careless in the past but i can see this trait improving as she is maturing..

However, she was again beaten flat after the test yesterday..
Yes, guess most parents will be striking on the panic mode but i am still holding out.. I am seeing the paper first and come out with a sensible solution.. A child best tutor is still her dearest mum.. Guess i need to find time to work harder.. :oops:

[jheng]

beanbear:

DD's entire class failed the CA Maths test. She was still feeling \"proud\" because she had 2nd highest marks in the class at 18 out of 50!! I just saw the paper and even the MCQ was ridiculously difficult. DD only manage to get 2 correct!!


Sigh, don't understand Singapore schools anymore. It's really feels like a competition for which school can set the most difficult paper and who can demoralize children more effectively. DD has become so used to failing and thank God she still has her self-esteem intact and able to look for what areas she has done well.

Mind if I ask which school is this?

[jheng]

CNS:

I have been reading faithfully at these PSLE discussions quietly, in the hope of preparing myself mentally in 2 years time. Never did I least expect the waves to sweep me so fast. Gal came back from her CA1 Maths yesterday. Told me many of the students cried as the test was super hard. Even, before the start of the paper, t informed that this paper is hard. What sort of mentality is T trying to create in these little 10 years old mindset before the start of the paper ? :siao:

Sigh... cannot wait for the paper to be returned.. Just when I thought that her confidence in Maths is building up, she is being brought down again, by an exceptional tough paper ...

It is not fair & doesn't make sense for teacher to set super difficult paper.........Singapore education system is killing the joy of learning!! So sad.....