Rewriting The 3 R’s

The focus surrounding the education of America’s children has changed dramatically in the last 10-15 years. Gone are the days of focusing on our children’s skills, dreams and creative ways of learning. Now children are taught from early elementary school how to score well on standardized testing. In Arizona, AIMS testing starts in 3rd grade. These are children that average 8 years old.

Schools used to stress the learning of the 3 R’s – Reading, wRiting, and aRithmatic. Teachers were able to take the time to discover each child’s learning style and actually formulate lessons addressed to every child in their class. There was really a time when “no child was left behind.”

School days in the 21st century revolve around rote learning and memorization of facts. Test taking strategies are taught. Creative classes, such as art, music, and physical education are being cut out of school budgets – only to be replaced by the ever increasing ways to test better – and all for what? So our children will be better prepared to meet the world ahead? So that our children can find their own passion and discover where they will excel in the next stage of their lives? No – the children must either score higher or lower on standardized testing. The better the scores the more money the state gets for education. The worse the scores, the more money the state gets to implement new programs for all the “learning disabled” children in the public school system.

The time has come to return the classroom to the people who know it best – the teachers. Allow them to teach what they know. Allow the children to learn the way they learn best. Get Back 2 Basics – the 3 R’s: Remove Labels – Rebuild Self-Esteem and Recognize the Greatness in Each Child.

The future of America is not a test. It’s the real thing. Listen and learn from the children – they know and are not afraid to tell you. Treat them with honor and respect and they will happily honor and respect you in return. If you need help, just ask. The only stupid question is the one that never gets asked. Drugs are not now and never will be the answer to any dilemma – for parents or children. Creating new names for diseases or disorders just creates more boxes and labels for those boxes. This country was built on a belief in freedom of choice, compromise, and working together. Come together once more – for our children and for our future.