top of page
Search

Understanding Your Child's Educational Experience: The Common Core and High Stakes Testing

  • _
  • Feb 5, 2014
  • 2 min read

A few days ago, I watched a group of parents protesting the Common Core and high stakes testing outside of a local school district on the news. There were parents expressing concern and dissatisfaction with district and sate educational policies. There were children communicating frustration, confusion, and feelings of failure. This is not the only public outcry for support, help, and change in recent months. A brief online search will show you a variety of videos and written works professing similar concerns. This negative experience that students, teachers, administrators, and parents are communicating is sad and serves as a motivator for change.


 

I have spent the last several months working with families and speaking with school staff to understand the challenges related to the Common Core and state testing and to develop practical strategies for coping with these changes. I am saddened by the idea that there are capable children who feel like failures as a result of new academic requirements.


 

The following are some helpful strategies that families can utilize to understand and support their child's educational experience.

 

Help your child to discover and utilize effective coping skills. Teach your child to focus on areas of success, not failure. Encourage

them and provide support. Listen to what your child is communicating to you. Avoid "showing" them how to do the work. How you learned to complete a problem is likely very different than they are learning it today.


 

Work with, not against your child's teacher and district. The Common Core is not a district initiated change, it is a federal change. Understand the differences between the Common Core and high stakes testing. Contact your district to learn about which tests your child will be taking, when they will be taking them, and the options available for opting out or receiving accommodations.


 

Be informed. Do your research. Ask questions. Communicate any concerns with the teacher. Get clarification from the teacher about how work should be completed. Get examples.


 

It is very important for parents to be informed about their child's day-to-day educational experience. You can learn more about the Common Core by visiting these websites:


 

If you would like to learn more about high stakes testing, you can contact your district, or (if you are a NYS resident) visit http://www.p12.nysed.gov/assessment/


 

Remember, you can be an advocate for your child and teach them to advocate for themselves.

 
 

Recent Posts

See All
Win or Lose- Perspective Matters

Perspective taking is an important skill for navigating the social world. Understanding one’s own perspective, as well as the different...

 
 
Movies and Humanity

Watching and discussing movies is a hobby of mine. I love stories, especially when themes representing mental health are depicted. Here...

 
 
Show Love

Happy February!    Valentine’s Day may have passed and is only a single 24-hour period, but each day provides a new opportunity to show...

 
 

Laura Van Schaick-Harman, Psy.D.

NYS Licensed Psychologist #019611

NYS Certified School Psychologist

VA Licensed Clinical Psychologist #0810005834

DE Licensed Psychologist # B1-0011379

FL Registered Telehealth Provider #TPPY902

Board Certified- Telemental Health Provider

Virtual Office-Serving All of New York, Virginia, Delaware and Florida* 

Mailing Address: 414 S. Service Road #174 Patchogue, New York 11772

p. 631-484-9679

f. 1 (888)-972-4072

DrLaura@onlinetherapyforanxiety.com

*https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/


Dr. Laura provides online and phone therapy services to people in New York. Sessions serve the following communities: Suffolk County, Nassau County, Smithtown, Nesconset, St. James, Patchogue, Holbrook, Holtsville, Sayville, Bohemia, Bayport, Ronkonkoma, Commack, Huntignton, Kings Park, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Shirley, Center Moriches, East Hampton, Speonk, Southhampton, Bridgehampton, 11772, 11787, 11950, 11932, 11716, 11934, 11730, 11940, 11733, 11941, 11742, 11749, 11760, 11755, 11779, 11951, 11967, 11764, 11955, 11776, 11777, 11780, 11968, 11969, 11792, 11977, 11980, 11978, 11790, 11794, 11720, 11786, 11733, 11782, 11959, 11767, 11766, 11741, 11788, 11739, 11738, 11946, 11937, 11725, 11720, 11931.

#e-therapy, #onlinetherapy, #teletherapy, #anxietytreatment, #treatmentforanxiety, #anxiety, #schoolproblems, #behaviormanagement, #therapy, #treatmentforADHD, #schoolconsultation, #autismtreatment, #OCD, #selectivemutism, #college, #grouptherapy, #collegesuccess, #collegetransition, #phobia, #panicdisorder, #CBT, #cognitivebehaviortherapy, #OCDtreatment, #treatmentforOCD, Psychologist 11772, Child psychologist 11772, Online therapy, therapy smithtown NY, Dr. Laura Van Schaick-Harman, child psychologist 11787, treatment for adhd, treatment for anxiety, parent behavior management training, OCD, Generalized anxiety disorder, GAD, selective mutism, exposure and response prevention, phobias, social anxiety, social phobia, CBIT, comprehensive behavior intervention for tics, #CBThelps, #CBTworks, treatment for OCD, treatment for anxiety, anxiety therapy, panic attacks, treatment for panic attacks, panic disorder, treatment for panic disorder, behavior therapy

Dr. Laura's Meaningful Psychological Services

Online Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Virtual Office New York United States


© 2020 Dr. Laura's Meaningful Psychological Services. All Rights Reserved.

bottom of page