All About SAP Schools

[san76]

I did ask the form teacher if they will segregate by the kids standard, she told me no. I will stay put in where my kid is right now. I think the education in the better sch will be tougher but it benefits him in the future. Right? Strong foundation is always better. Let him try out for the next few years and see how he will score during this CA1 for P1.


Thank you everyone

[san76]

Hi, Now my son is in one of the top 10 sch. He is in P1. Dont worry about the test.


Some neighbourhood sch did the test during orientation!!!!

The sch my son in, didnt test them during orientation. Honest enough, I will have to let you know. I feel that once you are in the 'GOOD' school, you must prepare yourself and your kids with simple reading skill that will be an advantage when they are with other kids. So they wont feel why these kids know and why I dont know.

The test can be good too. You will know where our kids stand.

Both my friend kids are in the same neighbourhood school. They were tested during orientation. They failed and was asked to for the additional lesson during Dec holiday daily for an hour. Now their class was separated to 2 smaller group. The teachers will have to put in more effort for their primary 1 foundation.

So, dont think too much of the test. Prepare your kids with learning and reading skill. Need not read like a young pro, but must know the basic words in story. This way, when they are in their pri 1, they will be able to cope wellwith maths and english. Dont forget english and maths are link. Both are in english language. If the kid cant understand or read english, they will have problem understand the sentance, example: _ is 5 less than 10. Soon the kids will not score well in the maths too.

Slowly, dont stress. Each kid have their own ability, read to them more and ask them to teach you. This way will be more fun in learning.

[Twins]

nonKiasu:

san76:

How will I know if my son is the top 2 class? Now that he is newly entered the Top 10 Primary Sch. How the school segregate them? They are not tested in any way even during the orientation. How do we know I know if he is the top two class? Please advise further. Moving the house is definitely a no, I just moved to a new house. Hmm..... How ? Very confuse, very upset.

Hi, san76. My triplets are now in K1. I actually wanted them to study in a school that is nearest to my house only to realise that it is a SAP school (don't know lucky or unlucky bec I really worried that they can't get into top 2 classes after 'gossiping' with 2 parents whose kids started P1 in that school. In fact, I am panic.

'Gossip' with parent A in Nov last year: I was told that during orientation last year, the parents are being 'oriented' in the hall while they are told that the teachers will orientate the children by bring them to the classroom. Then guess what, the children are tested in the classroom! No parents are told that the children are tested. Subsequently, the children are spilt into classes according to their test result. Not by alpbetically order of names or birthdate anymore.

'Gossip' with parent B in Jan this year: Confirmed with her that her daughter is tested during orientation. She was placed in the best class. Guess what? In one of the lesson, all 10 P1 classes are in the hall. The best class sit in 1st row, 2nd best in 2nd row and so on. During the lesson, only those sitting in front need to raise hand for question!

Hi non Kiasu

Can u share which SAP school is this?
To be honest, this grouping in the hall (best sits in front)
is so disparaging, and I must say, so de-motivating for the kids
who are \"behind\".
In a school, no matter how top it is, or how bright and intelligent
the kids are, someone will have to be \"at the lower end\" of the
scale, and I wonder what the school is trying to achieve
with this blatant disparity right from the start. :x

[nonKiasu]

Twins:

Hi non Kiasu


Can u share which SAP school is this?

Poi Ching. Btw, they just started the orientation test for the 1st time. Parent A has an elder one studying there and is grouped according alphetical name then.

Twins:

To be honest, this grouping in the hall (best sits in front)
is so disparaging, and I must say, so de-motivating for the kids
who are \"behind\".
In a school, no matter how top it is, or how bright and intelligent
the kids are, someone will have to be \"at the lower end\" of the
scale, and I wonder what the school is trying to achieve
with this blatant disparity right from the start. :x

Ya, totally agree! I think I need to go find out from Parent B whether her daughter (best class) gets to rotate to sit behind.

But is the P1 \"School Readiness Test\" given to ALL SCHOOL by MOE true?

[nonKiasu]

I have the answer to myself by searching on \"School Readiness Test\".


Indeed, there is such a test: http://moeuxwp03.moe.gov.sg/corporate/contactprint/pdf/contact_apr06.pdf (page 17)
http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2002/pr20092002_print.htm (annex A)

I am surprise abt this test bec so far I didn't hear from a single parent abt this test. And even I ask a few parents, they say no.

So, with such a test, I am not surprised that schools have the 'ability' to group the students - just make 'good use' of the test results.

[jedamum]

nonKiasu:

I am surprise abt this test bec so far I didn't hear from a single parent abt this test. And even I ask a few parents, they say no.

So, with such a test, I am not surprised that schools have the 'ability' to group the students - just make 'good use' of the test results.

I think for most regular schools, the parents did not know about the test because the teachers did not let the parents know. To them, it is only a means to sieve out the weaker ones for the Learning Support Programme. For some schools which did not carry out the test during orientation, I believe that the children are not grouped into classes after the tests, but rather that the weaker ones may be requested to attend a separate language/math class (which has a smaller teacher:student ratio) during that lesson period, or to stay back on certain days for 'LSP' lessons.

Yes, it will not stop some schools from banding students from the first day of orientation.

[san76]

[quote]But is the P1 \"School Readiness Test\" given to ALL SCHOOL by MOE true?[/quote]
All depends by the sch, MOE approved. Always think of the positive side of this test. We, as parents may be angered or ........ by this test but it is also a good thing for the kids to know they are no longer in Kindergarten. They will be facing all these later when they step into P1. So as parents, we can guide them and easier to explain to them they have to study and revise their work. Relax. It sure to serve it purpose. See, the weaker ones will be in a class and they will learn slowly rather then having to compete with the smarter/ faster kids. This way the kids will have more confident rather than inferior.

[KS_me]

csc:

A good neighbour school would be one which is only well-known in the neighbourhood.. that's how I see it.


You juz need to mention the name of the school to someone living outside your neighbourhood zone, and if the person has no clue where it is or \"what' it is - the chances is ,that is a neighbourhood school - It is a good neighbourhood school if that community thinks so and most would choose to register their children there.

Am agree with csc

[matrix0405]

Such a test exist but not all school administer them and some who did conduct them ‘casually’. Parents of students selected for LSP shd be ‘happy’ because they are given free small group tuition. The small gp helps them learn better.

[KS_me]

As what jedamum mentioned above, my son school "non SAP" did the readiness test and we parents received this information from the school during orientation days. We also been told that special help will be given to students who are not able to "read".


The school then conducted the test without us knowing. Parent for students who are required to be part of the LSP received a notification from the school and etc…

No grouping going on for Primary 1.