Alexandra

Four different Tests!! One is MAP which I loved ... but four times a year !!!! Two test for ESL ( I am not sure their names neither the areas that assess as I get only a list of scores ) and two other test for Spanish. This is besides the regular online "assessment" that comes along with GoMath ( in Spanish and English) that they use as " practice for the test" every two/ three weeks ... Besides their own testing, the students are not aloud to use the playground or make any noise on the halls during upper grades testing weeks .. and that is also very often. Next week kindergarteners will loose a whole week of play and specials as everyone is focused on FSA- ELA. We know that there is a huge difference between Assessment and testing. Testing, is what is done here. There is no assessment FOR learning. The students, teachers and parents does not know where are the " mistakes " so we could learn from them.. It is very very different of IB formative and summative Assessments: Portfolios, performance tasks, quizzes where we all know where we can improve, self assessment, peer assessment, rubrics where students and parents learn from them .. and so forth!! On the other hand, which I think is terrible in many senses, Teacher's performance is based on this testing scores. I have never experienced being evaluated based on test results. Scores are called " student growth" and I am still not sure about it. I can not say it is wrong, but it is very very different from my perspective and 25 years of experience at IB schools. Have you worked in a Charter school ? Is it the same experience? Hope not every charter school is like this, but I don't dare to try one more time. Have a great Friday

Good morning!! My name is Alexandra Castro and I currently live, work and enjoy life here in beautiful Naples, Florida. I worked for over 25 years at IB / PYP schools. Chile, USA, China, Mexico, Spain ... Last year I decided to switch from private IB schools to Public schools, so this is my first year working in a non IB !! I am a kindergarten teacher in a Title one Charter School. I am struggling every single day with Kindergarten expectations ... perfect lines with "bubbles in their mouth", quiet classrooms, no paint or art and ... tests, tests, tests. I've never heard the sentence " About Face" until now. When I googled it, I was surprised. It is heart breaking to realized the huge difference between kindergarteners in private schools and the experience that I am having now. It is a whole new educational world and mindset. Glad I am having the chance to be part of it ... for one school year! I would like to write a book ... Someone interested on joining ? Best regards from Florida