I'd love to know what the minds on this wonderful forum think of the new learning environment in my district.
The kindergarten classrooms have been stripped of any toys, naps have been forbidden and kindergarteners are now required to sit through 90 minute ELA instruction, half of which is a powerpoint presentation. This is all Journeys based and teachers are not permitted to stray from the script (yes, there is a script) and they are to teach the same way, the same level, to all children regardless of ability.
There is something very, very wrong with this in my opinion. We are losing teachers.
Can any of you see any positives in this kind of approach?
If I had a kindergartener my first instinct would be to take him or her out of that school and go for a private school or homeschool situation.
My first instinct is to gather a group of parents armed with research studies and make a compelling presentation to the local school board regarding the ways in which this approach is detrimental to the children.
My second instinct is that your district may actually be participating in a research experiment? Possibly the development of these pupils may be measured in several areas and compared with similar measures taken for other groups of students? Have parents signed any type of release or blanket permission slip for their child's participation in any educational research or study... possibly at time of registration/enrollment? Is information available online at your district's website, or through open records request, providing transparent and accountable government?
