Would you look at other schools?

[Lisa1970]

I am really thinking we need to look at other schools for next year. As I have posted before, where we live, the private schools cut off applications months ago, so it was too late for us to change.

Basically, the kids are happy, which is great. BUT, academically, this school is not a challenge at all. The other kids there are nice and the school is basically well disciplined. But, we are 3 weeks in to the school year, and literally, they still have not started any of their subjects (chemistry, algebra 2, etc). I am worried about the long term consequences of this. I am a bit surprised to find the school so easy. Oh, I guess you may be wondering how they can get 3 weeks in to the school year, which is 1/12 of the way through, with not touching their subjects. It is project based learning. They have literally only done projects, that are not related to the subjects, the entire year so far. An example has been plan an event for the superbowl and do a presentation about it. They had to call places and get prices and make a budget and then a power point presentation and present it.


I hate to mess with a situation where the kids are happy, but academically, do you think I should consider elsewhere? Thanks!

[meemee]

3 weeks is too early to tell.

most schools take the first 4 weeks to review. so they do really NOTHING new.

what are your chldrens learning style.

my dd is a v. tactile learner. i would kill to be in a project based school like yours.

my dd prefers learning through projects because its gives her the opportunity to apply different aspects - math, writing skills, geography, science - in a more tangible way rather than book knowledge.

i think you need to do more research. talk to another parent whose kids are in a higher class and see what they say.

if needed talk to the teacher.

AND then decide...

[GuildJenn]

I'd look, and depending on the deposit involved, even apply. You can always change your mind.

I agree with meemee that waiting is probably a good idea. (ETA: Waiting to make a final judgment.) But I wouldn't be happy with a school where academics fell behind. However, the project-based learning does sound neat - if done appropriately. Have they had a curriculum night yet?

[ollyoxenfree]

The project based learning sounds great. I'd want to understand how the projects are scheduled and how the school covers the curriculum (for me, that's math, language arts, science and social sciences, phys. ed and music/drama/art).

Does the school have to comply with government-mandated curriculum expectations and standards? What has the school said about curriculum?

Possibly, they use a "unit" approach and they will cover chemistry and algebra units later in the school year.

As for challenge - I'd expect that the project-based learning is intended to allow the students to challenge themselves, by exploring resources and developing their projects as much or as little as they want (or can get away with). I'd say motivation is more the issue, rather than challenge, as long as the projects are set up to cover a core curriculum.

If you aren't satisfied after you've received more information from the school, then it's logical to explore other schooling options. I'd get more specifics about the curriculum first, since your children are happy.

[Lisa1970]

They told the kids apparently, that if they want to pass the tests, they need to study outside of class. At the high school level, while there are state requirements, the testing is actually quite simple and minimal. I know we have all heard about people complaining about TAKs testing, but not only has the TAKs been discontinued (replaced with another test under a different name actually).

However, they did send out an email saying that Monday, all day, will be freshman math TAKS test prep. I don't get it. When TAKS does happen, it is in the spring. But apparently, they are doing practice tests now. So this is where people complain about the testing, because they are spending all day Monday and Wednesday on this. This is not even the real test, this is all practice. My daughter is 2 years ahead of grade level in math and my son, a year ahead, yet, they have to spend the entire day Monday on Math Taks Prep and then Wednesday, taking a practice math test.

[ollyoxenfree]

I googled TAKS (I'm not familiar with it). I found the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. It appears to be an achievement test for reading, writing, math and in certain grades science and social science.

Is the school using the practice tests now, in order to get an assessment of current student levels? It would provide information on who needs extra assistance during the year, particularly in a project-based environment. A good school wouldn't want students slipping between the cracks, and I'd imagine that would be fairly easy with project-based learning.

If you are comfortable with your children's ability, then you could ask to forego the practice testing. However, if they are going to write the real tests eventually, the prep and practice might be useful if they have any testing anxiety.

I still think you need to meet with the teachers and/or principal and get a better understanding of the curriculum and how it's covered. Is there a syllabus or schedule available? Is there a team-teaching approach for different disciplines? What kind of reporting is there, when does it happen, and how are the different curriculum areas assessed during the year?

It's hard to assess based on a few brief posts, but the information about the school process that you have seems kind of vague and incomplete ("They told the kids...", "apparently they do the practice tests now", etc.). It's hard to know if the school has a well formed, comprehensive approach using an alternative pedagogical method or if it's all vague and mushy, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants kind of stuff.

[Lisa1970]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree

I googled TAKS (I'm not familiar with it). I found the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. It appears to be an achievement test for reading, writing, math and in certain grades science and social science.

Is the school using the practice tests now, in order to get an assessment of current student levels? It would provide information on who needs extra assistance during the year, particularly in a project-based environment. A good school wouldn't want students slipping between the cracks, and I'd imagine that would be fairly easy with project-based learning.

If you are comfortable with your children's ability, then you could ask to forego the practice testing. However, if they are going to write the real tests eventually, the prep and practice might be useful if they have any testing anxiety.

I still think you need to meet with the teachers and/or principal and get a better understanding of the curriculum and how it's covered. Is there a syllabus or schedule available? Is there a team-teaching approach for different disciplines? What kind of reporting is there, when does it happen, and how are the different curriculum areas assessed during the year?

It's hard to assess based on a few brief posts, but the information about the school process that you have seems kind of vague and incomplete ("They told the kids...", "apparently they do the practice tests now", etc.). It's hard to know if the school has a well formed, comprehensive approach using an alternative pedagogical method or if it's all vague and mushy, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants kind of stuff.

I agree, about what you said at the end. The school is only in its 3rd year and they seem to be struggling with what they are doing.

My children take the ITBS every year (privately, not through public) and score in the 90's percentile range across the board. My daughter's overall has been 99th percentile each year for the last few years while my son's has been 94th percentile consistantly. This year, they will be taking the PSAT and SAT. The school requires everyone to take the PSAT for practice, even if it is not the official 11th grade one. So, in addition to these practice TAKs tests, they are taking the others. I will not have them take the ITBS this year as we do that privately and I think they are already being way over tested.

This is 3 weeks in to the school year and they have not even started Chemistry yet. Both kids are in Chemistry and they have not touched it. The projects are not related to the subjects. I had heard previously that they were such a great academic school and challenging. I do not know if it just went downhill this year, or if it has always been like this. If things do not change, I cannot see staying at this school. But being that they are 3 weeks in to the year with no chemistry or math or otherwise started, there is no way I could transfer them to any other school and expect them to just pick up and go. They would be too far behind.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by Lisa1970

This is 3 weeks in to the school year and they have not even started Chemistry yet. Both kids are in Chemistry and they have not touched it. The projects are not related to the subjects. I had heard previously that they were such a great academic school and challenging. I do not know if it just went downhill this year, or if it has always been like this. If things do not change, I cannot see staying at this school. But being that they are 3 weeks in to the year with no chemistry or math or otherwise started, there is no way I could transfer them to any other school and expect them to just pick up and go. They would be too far behind.

I don't think I have any further suggestions for you, but I wanted to offer some reassurance on this point. Due to moving about, and into different school systems in different countries, my dc have missed much more than 3 weeks of a school year, including at the high school level. They've coped well. I'm sure your kids can manage too.

You say your children are very bright, academically ahead of their peers and they test well. If they are motivated, 3 weeks isn't insurmountable, particularly at the beginning of the year. They will have missed introductory classes about organizational and administrative matters, and some review from previous years. They'll have missed some content, but they can catch up with some support.

Of course, the key issue is whether they will be motivated to catch up. If they don't want to change schools, then that will be a problem. In addition to discussing the curriculum with the school, it will be important to have ongoing discussions of your concerns with your children and get their acceptance of any changes.