School Tests for 4-year-olds

What do you think about the proposed School Tests for 4-year-olds?

I could not believe this when I saw it today on the news!

I really can see this being abused and actually used to boost a school's performance figures and I dislike the whole idea of testing children at that age.

The best article I found was this: -

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/uk/...-plan-1.198706
stevmk2

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

Gosh that does sound young but depends what the test entails I would think. If they had tested my grand niece before she started in September perhaps we would have had less struggle to get her into the local school as they have all been amazed at what she already knew and her progress. She isn't the child they expected from her medical records where they predicted a very slow development after her stroke, apart from a physical difficulty walking her brain is razor sharp and very quick at learning.

So for some children it could be beneficial if done well.

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

I can't see any benefits in giving a 4 year old tests.
They are at school to learn a whole load of skills at that age .. not whether mum and dad have taught them how to read, write or do sums.

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

Well it would make it easier for the teachers to know which children really need to start from the very basics and who has been taught at home. Something that comes as a bit of a shock to some at the moment. Gracie could read and write before she started school and count and add an take away. They found that, I think the phrase was challenging - really they should have said let's give this child more challenging work instead of taking her back to counting one two three

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

Expectations of what a 4 year old can or cannot do differ so drastically. A small test of what they know might be good but not some dramatic big thing that some children cant understand. No targets or anything like should be added to this. Can you imagine if you have over 60% of your children in school who are immigrants who cant speak English these targets will be stupid. All children are assessed when they go to school but giving them tests is not anything I would agree with. Plus I think that's why in Europe most of the Countries there don't send children to school until they are 6.
I was listening to the radio last night about this and some teachers who were speaking were saying that some children cant even go to the toilet at that age by themselves. Some parents are expecting the Teachers to give them that instruction. Its about time everyone who had children nowadays understood what being a parent means. Children as you mention Julie should be given the courtesy of a forward education not taking them backwards again.
I remember when I sent my kids to school many decades ago they couldn't go unless they could actually go to the toilet and wipe their own b//

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

We had to be able to dress ourselves including tying shoe laces so the idea they allow them into school unable to use the loo themselves is crazy.

Only thing I would say though is I think 4 is too young generally for school, I was a rising four starter myself so not quite 4 when I actually went to school and feel looking back that was far too early, Gracie was only just 4 and it has worn her out going to school full time, would have been better to have done half days or not started until she was 5 IMO

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

Not a good idea I think, why don't they specialise in them learning to read before they leave school.

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

there's a dog a fish a monkey and a donkey, equal rights, first one up the tree passes the exam, our children need teaching the teachers need examining, bad teachers provide bad results, not every one is cut out to be a brain surgeon, and some of us need more help then others. when my granddaughters school was tested she and several other statemented children where removed from the classes, so they did not show up on the results

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

As a teacher of over 40 years I can tell you that more and more parents are sending their children to school in nappies and not toilet trained because it's easier to keep them in disposable nappies than do the training. Parenting in many cases is NOT what it used to be.

I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with testing on entrance to school as long as it is a well designed and appropriate test and is only used by the class room teacher to help plan each child's learning needs. it shouldn't be used for League Tables or school evaluation.

I thought the UK had recently got rid of most testing because it had proved not to have improved educational outcomes.

Re: School Tests for 4-year-olds

Both my parents were teachers when I went to school at 5 I had already read all the Janet and John books able to do basic arithmetic. I was bored with school from the very first day and I hated it from then until I was able to leave when I finished my 'O' levels.

One of the happiest days of my teenage years was when I walked out of my grammar school for the very last time.