Every now and again I’m introduced to a book or article that provides research supporting something that I intuitively know to be true and important. Recently, I was sent an
As I write this article we are in the middle of Banned Books Week, the American Library Association’s awareness campaign to bring attention to the books that have been contested
As we prepare for another school year, many educators are thinking about how to foster a sense of community in their classroom or building. At Peachtown Elementary School, we view
Youth theater is a core component of our curriculum. While many schools see theater as extracurricular and optional, at Peachtown we are committed to including all students, prekindergarten through eighth
Alyssa Binns Gunderson
Special to The Citizen
Scholars have long debated the merits of standardized testing in schools. Beginning in China centuries ago, and arriving solidly in New York with the development of the Regents exams in the 1860s, the idea that a single test should be used to measure the effectiveness of teachers and aptitude of students is older than one might suspect. As an educator who has worked in both public and private school settings, I know what it looks and feels like to teach in both settings. I also know that wonderful educators exist in all schools, and I truly believe that the best teachers are fully aware of the pitfalls of testing and do everything within their power to minimize the negative impacts high-stakes testing can have on students. That said, as public elementary schools are wrapping up a testing week, itâs a good time to reflect on what is gained when we take standardized tests off the table.