Located two the left you will find Contacts World Wide. More interesting news is located there.
Enjoy! I have a had wonderful contact and enjoyed the conversations we have shared together.
Thanks you Ulviya!!
There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt St
There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. ~Walt Streightiff
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
New from Azerbajan on Equity and Excellence in EC
Just received this today, but I have found it very useful and interesting. Other information on the Global Children's Initiative can be found on the World Contacts on the right side of the blog.
The achievement gaps in our country have been on the mend for quite sometime now. Head Start was initiated because of this long before pre-k programs and may other early learning programs. What are the achievement gaps in your country if any? Is there anything in place to help bridge these gaps?
You know first of all access to preschool education in Azerbaijan is so low that discussing achievement gaps between various groups of children is not so much relevant because state can not ensure service provision to all children especially to those who are from rural area. Any formal assessment of gaps available has not been conducted. But according to anecdotal evidences children who enter first grade without preschool education face more difficulties in learning and social life than other children.
Do you think or believe that standards are the key to education equity?
It is difficult question. I believe that standards are needed for policy makers and politicians to justify 1) that public money were spent well and resulted with some measureable outcomes.; 2) standards probably are necessary to assess teachers’ work. I have never thought about linking standards with equity. I’ll think of that
Dear Virginie,
Here are my responses to your questions:
Right now in the U.S. we are learning about and beginning to implement in some states what are called Common Core Standards. These are individual standards for each grade level, that are the same in all 50 states. Standards of course are like a road map that outlines what the students need to know to get to the next grade level. The students in third grade and up take standardized tests to determine achievement of these standards in many cases. I am a big advocate against standardized testing because I do not believe it works to show what students do and do not know. It is slowly finding it's way into the early grades. We have a touch screen computer for testing this year. How the students perform on this will determine 15% of my teacher evaluation score this year. Does the early childhood programs in your country have standards developmental, early learning etc.?
Do you all have any kind of formal assessments?
Early Childhood Education in Azerbaijan for a long time was considered as care, and just recently say during last 5-6 years it started to be considered as education. Even now there is little of understanding that early years-up to 3 years is also education. Early childhood education in Azerbaijan is divided into several periods: early years: 0-3 years, preschool years: 3-5 years, and school preparation: 5-6 years. The most recent education law adopted by parliament –Milli Mejlis identified only 3-6 as education. Now Institute of Educational Problems at the Ministry of Education drafted first curriculum for preschool education (in the text I’ll be referring to preschool education as 3-6 years) which covers 3-6 years. This curriculum is under expert review now, and soon will be piloted and then evaluated. There are no achievement standards for preschool education, but the development and early literacy standards were drafted. So until the pilot results are not evaluated our preschool teachers continue working without testing against standards. Introduction of standards as international trend was recommended by international experts particularly from the US. But no any formal assessment has been and will never be conducted in preschool education, and all local experts have agreed on that.
Right now in the U.S. we are learning about and beginning to implement in some states what are called Common Core Standards. These are individual standards for each grade level, that are the same in all 50 states. Standards of course are like a road map that outlines what the students need to know to get to the next grade level. The students in third grade and up take standardized tests to determine achievement of these standards in many cases. I am a big advocate against standardized testing because I do not believe it works to show what students do and do not know. It is slowly finding it's way into the early grades. We have a touch screen computer for testing this year. How the students perform on this will determine 15% of my teacher evaluation score this year. Does the early childhood programs in your country have standards developmental, early learning etc.?
Do you all have any kind of formal assessments?
Early Childhood Education in Azerbaijan for a long time was considered as care, and just recently say during last 5-6 years it started to be considered as education. Even now there is little of understanding that early years-up to 3 years is also education. Early childhood education in Azerbaijan is divided into several periods: early years: 0-3 years, preschool years: 3-5 years, and school preparation: 5-6 years. The most recent education law adopted by parliament –Milli Mejlis identified only 3-6 as education. Now Institute of Educational Problems at the Ministry of Education drafted first curriculum for preschool education (in the text I’ll be referring to preschool education as 3-6 years) which covers 3-6 years. This curriculum is under expert review now, and soon will be piloted and then evaluated. There are no achievement standards for preschool education, but the development and early literacy standards were drafted. So until the pilot results are not evaluated our preschool teachers continue working without testing against standards. Introduction of standards as international trend was recommended by international experts particularly from the US. But no any formal assessment has been and will never be conducted in preschool education, and all local experts have agreed on that.
The achievement gaps in our country have been on the mend for quite sometime now. Head Start was initiated because of this long before pre-k programs and may other early learning programs. What are the achievement gaps in your country if any? Is there anything in place to help bridge these gaps?
You know first of all access to preschool education in Azerbaijan is so low that discussing achievement gaps between various groups of children is not so much relevant because state can not ensure service provision to all children especially to those who are from rural area. Any formal assessment of gaps available has not been conducted. But according to anecdotal evidences children who enter first grade without preschool education face more difficulties in learning and social life than other children.
Do you think or believe that standards are the key to education equity?
It is difficult question. I believe that standards are needed for policy makers and politicians to justify 1) that public money were spent well and resulted with some measureable outcomes.; 2) standards probably are necessary to assess teachers’ work. I have never thought about linking standards with equity. I’ll think of that
I believe that our children need to learn to socialize and how to play. In early childhood we know these are the basis for learning, it is slowly being taken away. I think if we start with this and build on this we will begin to see educational excellence. Do you have any thoughts about this and are play and socialization important in early childhood in your country?
Play is a quite new concept in our preschool education and has been introduced like 5 -6 years ago. Yes, I agree that preschool education is slowly shifting towards more academic teaching traditions and move away from play. It is true about international trends but it is not so much relevant to our preschool education at present. However there are efforts to shape preschool curriculum like curriculum for primary education, but happily this has not been implemented.
Are there other types of excellence and equity in early childhood that you work with or advocate for in your country?
Public preschool formally provide equity and provide free of charge preschool services to all children. Informally due to lack of public kindergartens and growing competition for free of charge services among parents, and growing women’s employment there hidden inequality in service provision when better offs, better educated and urban families get more services that opposite side.
Are there other types of excellence and equity in early childhood that you work with or advocate for in your country?
Public preschool formally provide equity and provide free of charge preschool services to all children. Informally due to lack of public kindergartens and growing competition for free of charge services among parents, and growing women’s employment there hidden inequality in service provision when better offs, better educated and urban families get more services that opposite side.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
January 2012 - Media Release - Biggest reform of Australian childcare begins today
January 2012 - Media Release - Biggest reform of Australian childcare begins today: Babies will be the big winners in 2012 thanks to new early childhood reforms that come into effect on 1 January, ensuring there is one staff member for every four babies now in childcare.
This is the first of the Federal Government’s major reforms to the childcare sector and ushers in a new era of early childhood education and care that focuses on what is best for children, helping them to grow and learn.
Early Childhood Australia CEO Pam Cahir said the reforms were significant, but thankfully many childcare services were already implementing them so costs to parents would be minimal.
“The new 1:4 ratio for children under 24 months means they will now get a higher quality of care and be able to develop the relationships that are so vital to a young child’s development.”
From 1 January all services will also begin to be assessed against the new National Quality Standard.
“This means all early childhood services will receive a rating following an assessment by a qualified assessor.
“The rating system will eventually provide information to parents and assure them that the service they use is meeting the high standards expected in this day and age.
“The reforms really are win-win. Parents will be much...
More on this can be found under Expanding and Sharing Web Resources on the right side of this blogs home page.
This is the first of the Federal Government’s major reforms to the childcare sector and ushers in a new era of early childhood education and care that focuses on what is best for children, helping them to grow and learn.
Early Childhood Australia CEO Pam Cahir said the reforms were significant, but thankfully many childcare services were already implementing them so costs to parents would be minimal.
“The new 1:4 ratio for children under 24 months means they will now get a higher quality of care and be able to develop the relationships that are so vital to a young child’s development.”
From 1 January all services will also begin to be assessed against the new National Quality Standard.
“This means all early childhood services will receive a rating following an assessment by a qualified assessor.
“The rating system will eventually provide information to parents and assure them that the service they use is meeting the high standards expected in this day and age.
“The reforms really are win-win. Parents will be much...
More on this can be found under Expanding and Sharing Web Resources on the right side of this blogs home page.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Relationship Reflection
Relationships and partnerships are important to me because they give you someone in which to share your ups and downs. It also means having someone to confide in, listen too, and be there for during their times of joy and sorrow. It’s important in life to have strong healthy relationships and for us to feel nurtured and cared for. Relationships and partnerships have not always come easy for me, but as I’ve grown older I’ve come to appreciate and understand them more. My parents divorced when I was seven, as mentioned in an earlier blog post, and I lived with my grandmother until she passed away three years ago. I have always felt loved and cared for by my family and friends. Sometimes when you see hurt and experience hurt, love relationships can be difficult. It took some time, learning and understanding to know that marriage is a wonderful thing. I had witnessed divorce and separation in so many relationships that part of me thought, “why should I do this”. Luckily I babysat for a relationship therapist who helped me to work through my partnership anxiety and fears. It wasn’t until I met my husband and had to take care of my grandmother, who had taken care of me, that I truly appreciated my relationships and partnerships with others.
I have many close relationships in my life. Those relationships include my husband, my sister, my dad, a great aunt, Dottie and Parker Harness, my pets, my church family, and my friends. My husband and I have had many ups and downs especially since getting married two years ago. My grandmother passed a few months before the wedding, my mom one year later, and a tree fell on our house a year ago April. We had the joy of buying our first home together and the reality of home ownership a little too close together for comfort. However, through this time we have comforted each other and cursed each other, but we yet we have held each other through it. We haven’t had to go it alone. Trials make us stronger and build our relationships and partnerships. These factors have made us a stronger more committed team. I have had my church family to lean on and help hold me up through many tough times and joyful times. They have encouraged me to be strong and prayed for me and with me. When the tree fell they came to lend a helping hand along with my dad. My dad has been there to say, “this too shall pass, it’s just one of those things”. This he has said on many occasions. Often times I hear this when I’ve been struggling through school, with a relationship, car trouble, or even a broken heart or broken bone. Each time it lets me know how much he cares and that he’s always there. My sister is recently engaged. As children our relationship was not close, but as sisters do we have grown closer together. We have cheered each other on at ball games, dance recitals, and graduations. We’ve planned funerals and weddings all of these factors have contributed to my relationship with her today. I’m sure sharing in this wedding will be the highlight of the year. 
My Great Aunt Jane has encouraged me to keep going and complete my master’s degree. She’s talked to me about what my grandmother would do and say about completing my master’s and the suffering I am enduring this year in the teaching field. When a loved one can share with you what a passed loved one might say or do if they were hear sometimes warms the heart. Dottie and Parker are friends that are always there for me for help, encouragement, and sometimes just to help me take a good hard look at reality. They help me to understand life a little bit better. Sometimes we need people like them to help us face reality and to know that life happens. Dottie as a relationship therapist and friend has helped me with communication and understanding in my partnerships. 
I also, have fun loving pets who, recently attend doggy school and have helped me to learn patience. They are always there for me and give me someone to talk to when others do not want to listen. If I’m not feeling well they know, and are there to help take care of me. Somehow having them around let’s me know all is well. 
Communication is always key in a relationship and partnership. My friends and I talk at least once a week about the events in our lives. Sometimes these conversations are on the phone but sometimes they are at table. At table is where many relationships are built and made. It is important and a challenge to keep an open mind when talking with people, whether it is someone you are close to or someone you have never met. Overtime I have learned that to develop and maintain a relationship it is important to look at things from all angles, that there is more than one point of view. It is important to know that I will not always be right, and the grass may be greener on the other side. I won’t ever know if I don’t take chances.
My experiences with relationship/partnerships, including my ability to be an active reflective contributor, impact my work as an effective early childhood professional because I am able to keep an open mind and know that everyone’s family is not the same, nor are they like mine. I know that each child will be raised differently and every parent will not see things the way I do. This reminds me of hearing parents say, “they can do this at home”. Maybe they can and I’m open to that, but I want to see them do it at school. I live in the inner city grew up in a bad neighborhood, had parents who divorced, luckily a grandmother who was there for me, and I worked hard to earn a college degree. I know that my experience may not be like the families I serve or like those that I work with each day. It is important for me to take what I know and use it. Also, to discuss with others their experiences and learn about their cultures and experiences.
My experiences with relationship/partnerships, including my ability to be an active reflective contributor, impact my work as an effective early childhood professional because I am able to keep an open mind and know that everyone’s family is not the same, nor are they like mine. I know that each child will be raised differently and every parent will not see things the way I do. This reminds me of hearing parents say, “they can do this at home”. Maybe they can and I’m open to that, but I want to see them do it at school. I live in the inner city grew up in a bad neighborhood, had parents who divorced, luckily a grandmother who was there for me, and I worked hard to earn a college degree. I know that my experience may not be like the families I serve or like those that I work with each day. It is important for me to take what I know and use it. Also, to discuss with others their experiences and learn about their cultures and experiences.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
When I Think of Child Development....
"Great teachers empathize with kids, respect them,
and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon."
Ann Lieberman
"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning....They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play".
Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
"Let Them Be Little"
This video shows children playing with children there own age and in some clips even the same gender. It shows empathy in hugs friends and parents. It shows children from birth through the early childhood ages and stages. Children in this video are climbing and discovering knew things, such as the sand between their toes. There are clips of children who live where they can play in the water and drink from a water fountain. A small boy shows signs of learning to tie his shoes, pulling on his laces. A mother kisses her baby and the baby smiles. A child watches a cartoon, just one sign of the technology available to our children today. Children should be allowed to be little and express their needs and wants in their way. It is our job to listen, be understanding, and foster that growth. The video shows parental bonds between children.
In Thanks and Support to my colleagues
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.
Author Unknown
and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon."
Ann Lieberman
"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning....They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play".
Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
"Let Them Be Little"
This video shows children playing with children there own age and in some clips even the same gender. It shows empathy in hugs friends and parents. It shows children from birth through the early childhood ages and stages. Children in this video are climbing and discovering knew things, such as the sand between their toes. There are clips of children who live where they can play in the water and drink from a water fountain. A small boy shows signs of learning to tie his shoes, pulling on his laces. A mother kisses her baby and the baby smiles. A child watches a cartoon, just one sign of the technology available to our children today. Children should be allowed to be little and express their needs and wants in their way. It is our job to listen, be understanding, and foster that growth. The video shows parental bonds between children.
In Thanks and Support to my colleagues
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.
Author Unknown
Friday, April 8, 2011
Testing for Intelligence?
In a commitment to viewing children holistically, children should be measured and assessed within there own learning style and comfortable upon assessment. Some children are creative, some feel a test is the answer, some enjoying writing, and some performing. There are so many different ways, in which children learn. Anything taught can be assessed using different forms it does not always have to be in the form of a test. In education we are "teaching to a test" today more than ever before, but what are the children really learning. Is it something that will stick with them? Maybe but only if it was made meaningful to them otherwise it was only useful to get a high score. Students ability to write and have conversation should be an assessment. In the world of technology there are many children that can fill in a bubble on an exam and type a paper with a grammar spell check. What can they do with out it? All children should be assessed on an individual basis because each child is different. Their learning styles maybe different just as teaching styles vary among teachers. Children should be assessed on an individual basis because of the variance in learning styles. How well a child is able to retain information should be assessed? If a disability test is warranted then they should receive that testing. Every child is entitled to free appropriate public education. It is our job as educators to make sure that that child receives a beneficial education that meets their individual needs.
A look at Japan's Education
In Japan there education system is based on formal assessments and exams. Children know beginning in the early years that they have these exams, and they are their ticket to wealth and success. Students must prepare to take a high school entrance exam. Teachers in Japan collaborate on exactly what to teach and how much to teach daily. Students are given formal assessments, such as test papers and short quizes. Students have gotten bored with the assessments and they are given a break now. Students thought to have a learning disability are assessed and proved with the proper education they need. Children with special needs are provided an education in a special class or in a special school.
Soap Box on Standardized Testing
Well, welcome to my soap box. I am not a test taker. I get sick, and I worry through all tests. I have had many discussions in recent years on standardized testing. I'm not for it I think children can learn more with out it, teachers can teach more without it, and students will retain more. If they are engaged and having fun they are learning. "Learning Through Play" Today we live in a standardized test based society and are data driven. Schools are trying to improve and they are doing everything they can to get students "at grade level". In working with children and knowing they all learn differently. My personal feelings about standardized testing are not very good. An example of why tests are not the only assessment answer. I had a very hard time passing our state assessment test, then when I had a hard time passing college entrance tests, and the teacher's exams.
My dad and sister did not do as well in a couple of classes and therefore had to go to summer school that summer. They didn't have the highest GPA, but got high score on the ACT and SAT. They both went on to college but never finished. I did very well in school and graduated with a high GPA from high school and college, but when it comes to test taking I'm not good. I struggled getting into college and getting through one teacher exam. I believe I finally got through with a lot of prayer and self determination. To me this proves that students can perform in the classroom and learn without having to have a standardized test score to prove they can pass a test. At one point I thought maybe if I could get extra help on the reading portion by being allowed more time. Maybe I could take it without being timed at all.
I got so concerned and was convinced that something must have been wrong with me. I decided to go the psychologist at the college to find out if I had a disability. After $200 + I was told I was average and nothing was wrong. I was relieved but still had trouble with the test. I have learned to compensate for what I can explain and do what I have to to get through the world of tests.
A look at Japan's Education
In Japan there education system is based on formal assessments and exams. Children know beginning in the early years that they have these exams, and they are their ticket to wealth and success. Students must prepare to take a high school entrance exam. Teachers in Japan collaborate on exactly what to teach and how much to teach daily. Students are given formal assessments, such as test papers and short quizes. Students have gotten bored with the assessments and they are given a break now. Students thought to have a learning disability are assessed and proved with the proper education they need. Children with special needs are provided an education in a special class or in a special school.
Soap Box on Standardized Testing
Well, welcome to my soap box. I am not a test taker. I get sick, and I worry through all tests. I have had many discussions in recent years on standardized testing. I'm not for it I think children can learn more with out it, teachers can teach more without it, and students will retain more. If they are engaged and having fun they are learning. "Learning Through Play" Today we live in a standardized test based society and are data driven. Schools are trying to improve and they are doing everything they can to get students "at grade level". In working with children and knowing they all learn differently. My personal feelings about standardized testing are not very good. An example of why tests are not the only assessment answer. I had a very hard time passing our state assessment test, then when I had a hard time passing college entrance tests, and the teacher's exams.
My dad and sister did not do as well in a couple of classes and therefore had to go to summer school that summer. They didn't have the highest GPA, but got high score on the ACT and SAT. They both went on to college but never finished. I did very well in school and graduated with a high GPA from high school and college, but when it comes to test taking I'm not good. I struggled getting into college and getting through one teacher exam. I believe I finally got through with a lot of prayer and self determination. To me this proves that students can perform in the classroom and learn without having to have a standardized test score to prove they can pass a test. At one point I thought maybe if I could get extra help on the reading portion by being allowed more time. Maybe I could take it without being timed at all.
I got so concerned and was convinced that something must have been wrong with me. I decided to go the psychologist at the college to find out if I had a disability. After $200 + I was told I was average and nothing was wrong. I was relieved but still had trouble with the test. I have learned to compensate for what I can explain and do what I have to to get through the world of tests.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)