What I do mean, is remembering everything you want to teach the kids so they can become better.  I’m working as part of a team so it’s a wonderful experience since I remember one thing and another coach remembers other things and by the end of practice, the kids have had fun and unbeknownst to them, they learned something.

Mitchell is doing a basketball team again this year (I think it’s his 3rd year).  We’ve got a great group of kids that all have a passion for sports, basketball or just playing with friends.  The energy has been very high and is truly inspiring to watch and participate.

It’s hard to keep up with them too.  Tonights practice, we had a game to promote confidence in dribbling and defense.  I was with them (not all the kids had quite gotten there yet) and bending over dribbling the ball low compresses my diaphragm and made it very tiring even given that I’m very fit. The kids had a lot of fun trying to get me knocked out of the game.

Well tomorrow is our first game of the season so wish us luck!

Post from: Glenn's Daily Script (c)2007 Glenn Thompson. For Downloads, Pictures, and other great content go to Glenn's Daily Script. See Glenn's Daily Script Legal Information Page for Disclosure, Fair Use, Copyright, Creative Commons notices.

Coaching

If I understand the true definition of standardized tests, the test should allow a view whether the test subject has a “standardized” level of competence in the subject being covered. In practice, it looks like the standardized tests that currently exist change frequently. What I mean by that is that the test given to a 3rd grader today will be a different test for a 3rd grader in 3 years from now. The changes are not just changed but equivalent questions but instead, updated definition of what “standardized” level of competence mean. This means that the test is likely harder for that 3rd grader in 3 years than today’s 3rd grader.

My question though is can a 3rd grader have this continually increasing “standard” (do homework, study, go to school) and still be a 3rd grade kid (have time to play with friends, play on a sports team, and enjoy a kids life)?

Another observation is that for a few weeks before the test, the normal classroom curriculum is not taught but instead test taking is taught. Yes, this probably produces kids that will get better results but it loses something with regards to what the kids are learning. Taking the tests still probably produces some learning in each subject area but this is not always the direction that the overall educational curriculum has intended.

My last observation is that the tests also have a political element. In the state of Washington, our Governor has recently said that the Math portion of the WASL is not required due to pressure from the population that it’s too hard or covers inappropriate materials. Part of the reason may relate to what I talked about in my first point but also some of it is that the United States overall has really fallen behind in Math and Science education.

I’d sure like to understand the tests more and figure out an effective way to produce change.

Post from: Glenn's Daily Script (c)2007 Glenn Thompson. For Downloads, Pictures, and other great content go to Glenn's Daily Script. See Glenn's Daily Script Legal Information Page for Disclosure, Fair Use, Copyright, Creative Commons notices.

Standardized Testing