Explain as a parent why I should care about SOLs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for the kids to be told not to talk about the tests at home?

My son was told he could talk about the test in general but not specific questions. I was OK with that; his sister is one year behind him and has an excellent memory!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it normal for the kids to be told not to talk about the tests at home?

I believe it is in the manual we read when administering the tests. I'll check tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is in the manal, and as teachers we have to stick to scripted sentences. We say something like, "Remember not to discuss the questions on the test with others."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is in the manal, and as teachers we have to stick to scripted sentences. We say something like, "Remember not to discuss the questions on the test with others."

That's what I remembered. I just haven't administered one yet this year.

[Anonymous]

I think it's because some kids miss the test and need to make it up. They don't want those kids to have an advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia history in 4th grade is important because it covers so many topics of US and European history on a small canvas and provides a framework of understanding for branching out into other historical topics. It covers the exploration of the New World (and why European nations were seeking colonies and the living conditions and social pressures that drove people to come to this country). It covers slavery and the history of women's rights. It covers the displacement of Native Americans and the formation of early democratic government systems. It covers the role of the Founders such as Jefferson and Washington and the Enlightenment ideals ( influenced by French history) that underpinned the American revolution and the drafting of our Constitution. Virginia played a major role in the Civil War and Lee is a giant figure in US history. The migration of black southern farmers to Northern cities is played out in VA history as is the story of black Americans struggle for civil rights. Virginia history offers lessons in economics, geopolitics and art history. Students will revisit these topics, writ large, in US history as high school students. And maybe in college they'll take a history seminar on Mali in which they will remember what they learned in 4 th grade about the slave trade in Mali and make some connections to the material they are studying.

And if you don't understand why all of this is useful and important, that only betrays your own lack of education limited.understanding o the ways in which the past is connectedness to the present and a country in Africa is connected to the US. Imagine if 30 years ago the case study country for the Middle East that all kids learned about in school was Iraq...

Best adult explanation on this Forum. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia history in 4th grade is important because it covers so many topics of US and European history on a small canvas and provides a framework of understanding for branching out into other historical topics. It covers the exploration of the New World (and why European nations were seeking colonies and the living conditions and social pressures that drove people to come to this country). It covers slavery and the history of women's rights. It covers the displacement of Native Americans and the formation of early democratic government systems. It covers the role of the Founders such as Jefferson and Washington and the Enlightenment ideals ( influenced by French history) that underpinned the American revolution and the drafting of our Constitution. Virginia played a major role in the Civil War and Lee is a giant figure in US history. The migration of black southern farmers to Northern cities is played out in VA history as is the story of black Americans struggle for civil rights. Virginia history offers lessons in economics, geopolitics and art history. Students will revisit these topics, writ large, in US history as high school students. And maybe in college they'll take a history seminar on Mali in which they will remember what they learned in 4 th grade about the slave trade in Mali and make some connections to the material they are studying.

And if you don't understand why all of this is useful and important, that only betrays your own lack of education limited.understanding o the ways in which the past is connectedness to the present and a country in Africa is connected to the US. Imagine if 30 years ago the case study country for the Middle East that all kids learned about in school was Iraq...

Best adult explanation on this Forum. Thank you.

unfortunately it was a lot better explanation than the 4th grade teacher gave. Don't thibnk half those items mentioned were really covered. Often a slip between the cup and the lip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And for the pp who said that most of the civil rights action was further South, you are clearly not familiar with the long and turbulent battle for integration in Virginia schools. It was ugly. And ever hear of Loving v. Virginia?

There were Virginia counties that effectively shut down there entire public school system rather than comply with the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision. My DD's Middle School - Luther Jackson - was once the ONLY high school for black students in all of Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and Route 7 in Loudon County is named the Harry Flood Byrd Highway. Brownie points to anyone who can tell me who was Harry Byrd and what was he known for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And for the pp who said that most of the civil rights action was further South, you are clearly not familiar with the long and turbulent battle for integration in Virginia schools. It was ugly. And ever hear of Loving v. Virginia?

There were Virginia counties that effectively shut down there entire public school system rather than comply with the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision. My DD's Middle School - Luther Jackson - was once the ONLY high school for black students in all of Fairfax County.

I suggest PPs that want to learn more about Virginia history take a ride down to Farmville -- there is a great museum

http://www.motonmuseum.org/

covering the actions of Prince Edward County, Virginia, and how they fed in to the landmark Brown vs. the Board of Education case.