Pearblossom Education

     Standardized testing has come a long way from what used to be pencil marks on a scantron sheet. Today, the federally funded standardized testing stakes are much higher, with a whole set of planning going into "testing day(s)" and a variety of rules to follow while doing it. There are scrutinizing testing requirements that students have to endure, and unfortunately impacts our youngest minds the most.        State testing is a stressful, high-pressure event for students that occurs every year. The ambience that surrounds standardized testing comes with teachers reminding their students to “eat breakfast,” and to “get a good night’s sleep.” Posters or any form of academia on the walls that could be used as a reference are removed during the testing weeks. There is to be no talking in the classroom, and barriers are put up so there is not cheating.      "Parents and teachers are tired of academic standards like Common Core ...

"We teach because we care." As things get "back to normal," relatively speaking, as does the perspectives that our youth have had during this past school year. This year I was lucky to work at an elementary school in a Kindergarten classroom. Most of my students were not able to attend preschool due to protocols- as many of the preschools had stopped taking incoming students. I could see the positive impact that either preschool or the attentive parent serves for children 3-5 years old. They have seemed to have grasped the concept of writing and numbers much more easily if they had worked with it prior. Though there are always obstacles to overcome in learning, overcoming challenges are actually an integral piece to education. While there were positives about staying home with our families and learning for the past couple of years, there were also downsides. I was lucky to speak to a few students about the impact this has had on their lives, and what they are doing ...

According to a recent article from CeoWorld, there are a few factors contributing to the demise of the education sector currently.  Remote learning and digital classes have come into play quickly, and many teachers and students do not possess the skills necessary to navigate this platform.  The stress and change has caused many teachers to quit, and students are dropping out of public school, turning to homeschool or online learning academies.  A good chunk of our public students have already "dropped out" of school.  I know parents that have relished in the fact that they get to homeschool their girls. They get to travel all over the country while successfully checking in for classes online. Everybody is happy, they get to enjoy family time, and the kids get to experience the real-world. It's like field trips, but all of the time. "Not all classrooms have four walls." Remote learning and digital classes, while convenient for adults, are not so convenient for ch...

 "More people are affected by low literacy in the U.S. than are diagnosed with cancer or heart disease."  Illiteracy affects a person's ability to fully participate and contribute within society. About 18-21% of the U.S. adult population is functionally illiterate. This means that reading and writing to the fullest extent are inhibited. This percentage would be around 43 million U.S. adults. Globally, the impact is even more severe. Over 774 million people ages 15 and older are illiterate. Of these statistical figures, over two-thirds are female. Africa, Southern Asia, Western Asia, and Oceania have the highest rates of illiteracy. According to a study from Ballard Brief, Hispanics, the elderly, and incarcerated people are more likely to have a low literacy rate compared to other U.S. adults. Fluency within cultures are important to emphasize. Illiteracy does not necessarily affect social interactions at the minimal level. In fact, slang and cultural language disposition ...