by M. Bustamante-Navarro

Created on: January 27, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

Standardized test have become very important to public schools. It helps determine where our children are at in their grade level. But the public schools have put to much emphasis on this particular test. Not only have the school systems put fear on our children, but also on the parent, for if the child does not pass the standardized test they are retained a full year.

What ever happened to old school teachings? Where a child showed up to school with interest to learn the curriculum the teacher prepared for them. Excited to come home to tell their parents what exciting things the teacher had taught that day.

I can recall when I was in school the teachers would put a packet together for the day with instructions to get started and learn History, Science, Spelling, Reading, and Math. The teachers would actually take pride in teaching and the children absorbing every single information like a sponge. Our teachers were graded every month by the principal of the school. The principal would plan a whole day with the teacher and the students. He would stay in the classroom giving the teacher marks on her performance. He would later meet with the teacher informing her on what she needed to improve on.

As you can see in this new era all the principal is worried about is the standardized test, as well as the teachers. The students can be all A or A, B students, but if they don't pass the test, all they learned was a waste. It does not matter if the child has passed all the work the teacher has given them throughout the school year, if they don't pass the standardized test they fail the year.

Public schools emphasize more on this test than an academy, I speak from experience when I tell every parent this. Two of my older children are now attending an academy. They come home more excited, because they say compared to a public school they aren't just sitting there studying the standardized test they are actually learning. The academy keeps them busy from History and our presidents, to writing and putting a book together, from Science and Math to building bridges. The academy hires teachers who are more than qualified and ready to teach our children-The Future.

I give credit to South Texas Preparatory Academy for teaching my daughters the fundamental keys they need for college. They are preparing the students for the future.

Public schools should get some advice from academy schools and follow their lead.

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