Regarding this year’s decline in ELA test scores
HMH provides text to speech for the students so they don’t have to read the actual text. I think that is one cause of the decline. Teachers have a pacing calendar for assessments, and due dates are solid. The results: Material gets rushed to meet deadlines. Children do not learn at the same pace. Current curriculum appears not to consider this fact. Also, I have noticed that students write less since it is done online. They also tend not to reread what they wrote. They go from reading online text to answering questions online. Paper was more effective for many, with the written text in front of them to mark up as needed and not highlighted online. Having the questions in front of them and going back to the written text with their notes seems to be more effective for their brain’s logical thinking skills.
No longer having reading time of leveled, “just right books,” to me, is a failure. That is the time when the teacher can do small groups and work on specific skills that the group needs to strengthen. Also, the children can actually read and discuss their book with the teacher. That observation is far more valuable than the current online assessments. Also, teacher readalouds have great value. I base my opinions on almost 30 years of doing this and having experienced numerous reading curricula.
Rose Zelwinder, teacher
PS 78, Queens
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