Can’t Get No SATs-isfaction

09 May 2016 69 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , , ,

Well, that day has finally arrived. The one I have been dreading, for Lil Man’s sake. You may remember I wrote an open letter to the Education secretary about this.

The Year 6 (and Year 2) students in the UK are sitting their SATs tests this week. A set of tests that have been around for a while, but this year, they have changed. The National Curriculum changed last year, and they decided to introduce new tests, with higher standards, and much tougher questions this year.

I feel for these kids. I know that Lil Man and his class have been subjected to  practice test after practice test the last couple of months, in readiness for these particular ones, and I think they are all exhausted. Speaking

Speaking for his teachers, from a teacher’s perspective, they have been trying to play catch up, as the Government threw them a curve ball with regards to what children are expected to achieve midway through the year. It is not their fault, they want the children to do as well as they can, and the practice is to make sure the kids are sure of how these tests work.

From a parent’s perspective though, these excessive tests just make me feel that our children’s childhoods are being snatched away from them. I know of umpteen parents who have felt the need to tutor their kids, on top of what they do at school, determined to get their children to pass with flying colours.

Who doesn’t want their child to pass?

Of course, I would love it if Lil Man came out with top marks, but I am going to be realistic here. It ain’t gonna happen. He will do as well as he can, he will give these SATs his all, and for that, I am grateful.  I shall be happy with whatever he gets.

And I want him to have a happy childhood to look back on, not one where he just saw studying everywhere he turned. He loves sports, playing the dhol, spending time with our cat.

We spent this weekend forgetting about school work. He had just had a week of mock tests.

Seriously.

He’s 10 and he’s doing MOCK TESTS! I only ever had mocks when my GCSE’s were looming, at 15!

So we enjoyed the sunshine, played in the garden, allowed him to forget school for the weekend. After all, if he doesn’t know something now, it isn’t going to sink in overnight.

We just have to get him through Thursday, then the testing will be done. He can be a child again.

GOOD LUCK LIL MAN! Mummy and Daddy are behind you 100%. These things mean nothing to us. Do your best, try your hardest, give it

Mummy and Daddy are behind you 100%. These things mean nothing to us. Do your best, try your hardest, give it your all. That is as much as we can ask, and I know that you will do this. I can’t wait for this week to be done, and I know he can’t wait either.

And here is just a little piece I wrote regarding the effects this constant testing from such a young age is having on our kids, when Lil Princess was sitting her Year 2 SATs last year.

Have a good Monday Peeps. 🙂

69 Comments (+add yours?)

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  2. fairytaleofasimplegirl
    May 10, 2016 @ 19:13:38

    Good luck

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. amommasview
    May 10, 2016 @ 06:31:40

    I think it’s fantastic that you let him be a child and did not push him even further. I question the sense of these tests to be honest. We have them too over here. The kids are actually on it this week from what I know. I feel those tests are not for the kids but rather for the schools. Over here the schools advertise with the results of their students. It’s how they get more kids to join (especially the private schools). I don’t think that it really reflects the quality of the school though. Just how much they push their students. All of this is a learning by heart philosophy. One could say that learning is all about learning by heart. But I disagree. Learning has a lot to do with understanding and the way they prepare their students here for those kind of tests are far from making them understand how it works but rather how much they can learn by heart. Oh well…

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      May 10, 2016 @ 06:45:57

      Oh I agree… Sandra here it is about the government using test scores to put schools in league tables. What these tests don’t reflect is the fact that some schools are made up up of a really diverse mix of pupils and these new standards will never. Be achieved by those pupils… How about showing how pupils have learned a whole new language….?
      But the worst thing is that us teachers don’t agree with these tests either and the kids have been given work and standards that are way beyond 10-11year olds….
      I really am upset with the powers that be right now….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. lbeth1950Linda Bethea
    May 09, 2016 @ 20:52:35

    What a lot of pressure! Kids deserve bette

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Fourth Generation Farmgirl
    May 09, 2016 @ 20:34:12

    Wonderful post, Ritu! Best wishes to your son. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Shivangi
    May 09, 2016 @ 19:33:24

    Good luck lil man. Such grueling is unfortunate!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. jacquelineobyikocha
    May 09, 2016 @ 19:25:00

    I actually have an issue with the way things are taught these days. It’s almost as if they are in a rush to overload these children with so much information. Some days, I am literally tearing out my hair with the amount of school work that my children have to do after a busy school day. What’s the rush?

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. elementhealing
    May 09, 2016 @ 18:45:29

    I think it’s insane to push children to conform to a set of standards before they are old enough to understand what it means. Being a child is difficult enough in the current state of the world. They don’t need a government telling them they are acceptable or not on top of it because they don’t understand the six step process to confirm that 3+2=5! Deep breath. I’m done ranting 🙂 I hope your son does well Ritu.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. TanGental
    May 09, 2016 @ 13:09:55

    Not sure what the answer is. I had to do the 11 plus and it dictated my educational future completely. That wasn’t good either. But then having no assessments that garnered an idea of overall progress left s misleading picture too. We do over test there is no doubt in my mind but where we draw the line I’ve no idea. All I can say is my kids did says and entrance exams at 11, grinding out test paper after test paper and yet I think they’d both look back and say thier childhoods weren’t affected. It was one year until they reached GCSEs. I guess I’m saying he’ll be fine because you’ll make sure he is. Go mums and dads, heroes all!

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Judy Martin
    May 09, 2016 @ 11:51:11

    Those Sats are a nightmare for kids. I wish Lil’ Man all the best and his classmates too.

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Charles Yallowitz
    May 09, 2016 @ 11:35:14

    Good luck to your son. I really do worry about all the testing that is done with kids these days. Several friends have told me that it’s made their kids not want to learn or read anything outside of school. If there’s no grade involved, they have no interest, which is going to be a problem later on. Honestly, who are the people making these systems? Did everyone who lacked a childhood get into government work and decide to take it out on the younger generations?

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Ritu
      May 09, 2016 @ 18:13:05

      Exactly Charles. I feel this is exactly the effect these tests are having on our younger generations.
      He came back Not happy today…

      Like

      Reply

      • Charles Yallowitz
        May 09, 2016 @ 18:18:51

        I’d be the same way. Not sure how it works with the SAT’s, but I know the big tests that kids are stressed out about here have no bearing on their grades. That kind of makes it worse for them. It’s like working hard for somebody else to get a paycheck while they’re working hard as well. I should admit that I don’t have to deal with this yet. My son being in special education seems to be outside of the big tests. Not looking forward to when he can be mainstreamed.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        May 09, 2016 @ 18:20:36

        It’s the same here but the teachers are being stretched too, to teach things that have no relevance to kids of this age. They don’t agree but unfortunately are expected to do it. …

        Like

      • Charles Yallowitz
        May 09, 2016 @ 19:07:10

        I’ve noticed that a bit. My son had a reading comprehension form with most of the questions asking for inferring information. He’s 6 and had no idea what an inference is. This isn’t even with the testing as far as I know.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        May 09, 2016 @ 19:25:57

        Really?! That’s ridiculous! Even I’d have to think twice before knowing what that meant!!

        Like

      • Charles Yallowitz
        May 09, 2016 @ 21:49:09

        I just went with whatever answer he came up with. If he says a blue tetra is a snake then so be it. The clues were swimming and in a tank. He said he saw snakes in tanks and swimming at the zoo. Works for me. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ritu
        May 09, 2016 @ 21:50:41

        I think that’s all you can do… especially at 6!!!

        Like

  12. Chris White
    May 09, 2016 @ 09:56:41

    Yes, all one can do is wish him success. It is too young to be tested like this.
    Of course … What benefit are these tests to the children themselves really ?
    All the best. Kris.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Erika Kind
    May 09, 2016 @ 08:41:13

    Your post is so wonderful, Sis! Yes, on one hand we want them to have all the tools they need for having the world open for them. But on the other hand, what is the price they have to pay… and we as parents too! As you say, we want to have happy children who can look back and have memories of an unburdened childhood. That all comes early enough towards them anyway! It is not easy when it is about the own kids but objectively I believe that they make their way anyway either way! Probably they only find their actual way better when they have their childhood and be the way they are instead of already being pressed into a mold.
    But nevertheless: Good Luck, Lil Man! You already are successful because you have given your best 😊🍀💖

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  14. tam
    May 09, 2016 @ 07:41:43

    Off to work I go. First test today. We are all brickin it as we don’t know what to expect. I really feel for the kids. I feel nervous never mind them. Good luck to your boy as well 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Lynn Thaler
    May 09, 2016 @ 07:11:08

    Hope all goes well 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. walkerkaty0
    May 09, 2016 @ 06:20:36

    Good luck Lil Man!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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