The testing has begun. For the next couple of weeks, all students in Georgia public schools will be undergoing Standardized testing.  NoChildLeftBehind (NCLB) requires that states develop and implement standards and then test students to make sure that they are on track to achieve 100 percent proficiency of those standards by 2014. In other words, by 2014, every public school student in the United States will be performing at grade level if the requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act are met.  Inorder to make sure that the schools are on track, they  are required to meet adequate early progress (AYP).   towards this goal. If they are not meeting this goal they are in "Needs Improvement" status. A lot of federal and state money is given to education so that they can help “Schools Improve”. Especially Federal Entitlments.

Inorder for NCLB not to impinge on local control of how students are taught, states select or design their own tests. This is why GDOE developed state standards and test designed to test those standards. The Georgia CRCT is designed to give a common measure of students' performance based on Georgia Performance Standards. Due to the fact that every child in Georgia takes the same test at the same grade level, it gives educators a common yardstick or ``standard'' of measure. Educators use these standardized tests to tell how well school programs are succeeding or to give themselves a picture of the skills and abilities of Georgia students. Standardized tests can help teachers and administrators make decisions regarding the instructional program. They help schools measure how students in a given class, school, or school system perform in relation to other students who take the same test. Using the results from these tests, teachers and administrators can evaluate the school system, a school program, or a particular student. The test helps determine how much students have already learned in their grade level compared to other students in Georgia at the same grade level.

Inorder to assure that very child is tested, test scores must be disaggregated so that performance is assessed not only for the student population as a whole in each school, but for these four subgroups: 1) students who are in racial minorities, 2) students who speak English as a Second Language, 3) students who are economically disadvantaged, and 4) students who are emotionally, physically, or mentally disabled to the extent that they need Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). These scores are reported on an annual basis on an official Georgia Report Card.

In summary, NCLB holds schools accountable for every child so that none are left behind. What a great dream!

Washington DC is a fabulous place for visiting. The initial cost of hotel and food is expensive, but the entertainment is free. I spent the day exploring the The National Museum of the American Indian and The National Art Gallery.
Teacher can visit the Smithsonian and never leave their classroom. I have always gotten the magazine but the teacher resources are amazing. Smithsonian Education has lesson plans and much more at the click of you mouse. You can choose your state standard and go to resource.
Example:

Everywhere you go in Washington it is full of history and learning.

I also stopped in at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. I bought the Unbreakable Code by Sara Hoagland. The Unbreakable Code portrays the quiet pride of a Navajo code talker as he explains to his grandson how the Navajo language, faith, and ingenuity helped win WWII.  I promised a second grade class a postcard but I decided to give them a little more, I searched for lesson plans and found this one I am using  with the class. The lesson is called Codebreaker: Math.

I would be remiss if I did not tell about the conference I attended.  It was The National Alternative Certification conference.  I attended several sessions. The conference will be in Atlanta next year so I hope we can send several teachers.

I am on Spring Break so until next week…
I leave you with a few pictures

  I wanted to add that I have also planted tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, & spinach.

I am planning on growing heirloom  tomatoes. I have so far: Moneymaker, Brandywine, Zebra, Tiger, etc.   I have peppers of different varieties. My hot Peppers range from Habanero, Cayenne, Serrano, Hot Banana, New Mexico, Italian Rose, Black Prince, & Pretty-n-Purple. I have planted a couple of Red, Yellow, & Green Bell peppers too.

I have the lettuce in what you would call a salad bowl with different varieties. The spinach is planted in my herb garden. I also have Okra planted so I can pickle it.

I swore when I left Davisboro, Georgia  at  17 to go to college,  I would never work in a garden again. This proves once again, about the Great-Circle- of -Life.

Thanks Marsha & Daryl for bring me full circle.