School Tests

So, according to my oldest son's teacher, his school year is technically over. She told my wife and I that they were not going to be learning anything new from this point on. The reason? The CSAP tests were coming up and they were going to be preparing for those the remainder of the year. The CSAP is the Colorado Student Assessment Program. This test is what all Colorado schools' "education" is based upon. If the school doesn't "pass" the program two years in a row, it becomes a charter school. Some funding is also based upon test scores. This program is why our school system is broke.

My son understands everything that he has been taught this year. He understands it so well, that now he is bored all day long. He also has started to really not care about how well homework is completed. As long as there is an answer, he doesn't care if it is right or wrong. He knows how to do it, so why should he waste his time with it? His grades have dropped to B's & C's because of this. So now my job as a parent is to make him bring home EVERY paper that he completes in class & as homework so I can check it before he turns it in. Since I have started doing this, it is amazing how little he has to correct, knowing that I am going to go over it before he turns it in.

We talked to the teacher about perhaps challenging Dylan more so his interest is kept, and she stated that she really doesn't have time. Her day is kept busy by meeting the CSAP standards along with the "No Child Left Behind" criteria set forth by the federal government. So because federal and state programs drive the money & accreditation of a school, my child is going to be pushed along with the rest of the pack.

This very reason is why he hates school. He loves to learn and challenge himself mentally, but hates busywork, and that is what school is all about anymore. Honestly, I can't argue with him.

The Weekend - Redux

So I have posted this earlier on my Tumblr account (which is varangianguard.tumblr.com) but thought I would repost again on this blog. I have been posting mostly on Tumblr, but am going to get back to posting here for the "written word" then just posting random crap on Tumblr. Never fear, all will be linked to my Twitter Feed for easy access.

This weekend, I came to the realization that there are certain days it is very difficult to marry your polar opposite. Usually, the differences are very cute and entertaining which makes our relationship that much more fun. We both think on two completely different wavelengths which can make for some very interesting conversations and decision making. Saturday, however, was the exact opposite of that.

On the way home from our boys' wrestling tournament, Karri told me she almost “Came out of her skin”. Being the ever attentive husband, I asked why. She then explained to me that Dylan went over to the kid he was going to wrestle and asked him not to hurt him when he won. (Seriously, he really did.) She said that after Dylan walked away, the kid leaned over to his parents and said a few words. The parents and child had a good chuckle and that was it.

Karri was super mad because she thought the child and parents were making fun of Dylan by laughing at his expense. This laughing, in her opinion, was very mean spirited and unnecessary. She then wanted me to agree with her, and that is when the disagreement started.

I told her there was nothing at all mean spirited in what happened because the kid didn't make a big production about what Dylan said. The only thing that happened was a quick joke with his parents. I have witnessed kids being very mean, and those children would have gathered the entire team to point and laugh at Dylan for even saying such a thing. No one that has any athletic prowess at all asks the opposition not to hurt them. That is ridiculous. The point in athletics is to determine a winner (or have fun if you are my wife) by competition. Dylan's asking for mercy was quitting before he already started.

Needless to say, it was a pretty uncomfortable afternoon. She was mad at me for not being compassionate for my son, while I was pretty blah about the entire situation. I guess the fact I didn't think there was anything to be compassionate about is what set her off. I believe there was a comment about being a "heartless bastard", but I'm sure she was speaking of someone else.

Besides that, we did go on a great walk together yesterday and everything is hunky dory again. We did almost kill my dog Diamond, but I think the exercise is good for her. I guess we (the dog and I) need to start running again.