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07.09.08, 08:04 AM NY Schools
70 replies
Do you think more than half the kids come into TT Kindergarten reading already? I heard from a friend (teacher) that a lot of kids come in reading. Do you think she means the kids are reading books on their own? I'm sure few kids read chapter books, but most kids who are readers - are they just reading signs and short words? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 07.09.08, 08:04 AM Flag
 

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Wide range, and it's all okay. A K teacher at hunter told me more than 1/2 come into K reading (and many of those kids are younger that dc at TTs), but the level of reading varies greatly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:07 AM Flag
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So, if dc is not reading already, then dc is already behind the 8 ball? And if dc is just beginning to read BOB books, dc is behind half the class? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:11 AM Flag
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it's ALL okay. Really. It means nothing at this point. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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Private schools don't care about reading in K as much as public schools do. Some are reading, some aren't. But "being behind the 8 ball" is ridiculous. Early reading signifies nothing. My dc is now the best reader in his class (3rd grade) and "tests" much better than kids that were reading in pre-K. But couldn't read at all until end of K. And we didn't do anything except continue to read to him and now he loves reading. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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Actually some private schools do care about reading. I have a friend who was asked to get a tutor for reading for her dd for the summer after K. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:16 AM Flag
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Chapin? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:18 AM Flag
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BTW, how do you know your dc is the best reader in class and tests better? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:33 AM Flag
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another mom fo a 3rd grade kid....you know and your kid knows. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:27 AM Flag
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Sometimes early reading signifies nothing, sometimes it signifies a lot. It really depends on how early, the level at which the dc reads, and how the dc learned. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:43 AM Flag
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ITA. Kids who read at 1yo or 2yo - it is meaningful. Kids who read at 4yo, not so much. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:58 AM Flag
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Again, it depends. If the 4 yo is reading with comprehension on a 4th grade level, it's not meaningless. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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Dpm [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:08 AM Flag
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?? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:10 AM Flag
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sorry, typo that posted early [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:15 AM Flag
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You worry way to much. My ds just finished kindergarten in a private school in NYC and all of the kids don't read more than short sentences that they're familiar with. Don't listen to these type A parents. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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What school is that? There were definitely a bunch of dc at ours who entered K reading more than just familiar short sentences - and there were many who weren't reading at all. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:28 AM Flag
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probably not TT [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:30 AM Flag
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It may have been [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:09 AM Flag
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My #1 is a great reader. I am a type Z parent. I don't think parenting has much to do with early reading success. Granted, there is a minimum amount of exposure/instruction necessary but I think that most kids get that. The ones who read early are just wired for it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:48 AM Flag
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ita. I read to dc once a week but dc still picked up reading. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:01 AM Flag
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We only had friends with older kids (or much younger) so we thought he was in the general area of normal. (I was not UBing back then.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:25 AM Flag
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I couldn't tell you what overall percentage at our TT was reading when they started K, but of those who were there was a huge range. Some emergent readers with a handful of sight words and rudimentary phonics knowledge. Some early readers who could handle simple, BOB-like books. Some were a little more advanced, reading on the level of Frog & Toad, and a few others at the Magic Tree House level. A couple of very advanced readers of the Harry Potter in K ilk. And there were many dc who knew their letters but weren't reading at all. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:17 AM Flag
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harry Potter? holy $hit. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:27 AM Flag
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My point was only to illustrate how wide the range was. Don't let it freak you out. There were many, MANY more dc who didn't read a single word than there were reading at that advanced level. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:30 AM Flag
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The ability to decode Harry Potter is possible in Kindergarten. However, the ability to comprehend what one is reading at that age is nearly impossible. If you put the NY Times in front of some 5 year olds, they can decode every word. However, you can't possibly imagine that they are understanding the fundamental differences between the Democratic and Republican parties at this stage of the election, can you? Reading comprehension is a tremendous part of reading, and if you push your children to read beyond what they are developmentally capable of understanding, you are doing them a huge disservice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:10 AM Flag
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I don't know. I read Little Women at 5 and understood all of the first part (before they "grow up" and get married) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:15 AM Flag
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To be honest, I'm 40 and still don't get why she didn't pick Lawrence over the professor. The professor seems like a downer to me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:19 AM Flag
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lol! I totally agree (though his accent was probably pretty sexy, and she did love Laurie like a brother) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:20 AM Flag
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Her father was away all the time, and she wanted a father figure. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:36 AM Flag
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My dh read adult level books at 6yo for fun but they were probably written with Junior High level English - mysteries, thriller books, not War and Peace. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:23 AM Flag
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Of course, and yet there are dc in K who can read and comprehend Harry Potter, or other books on the same level, which I believe is 5th grade for the first book in the series. But HP was just meant as an example. We have a couple of dc like that in my dc's grade at a "tt" ongoing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 11:33 AM Flag
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My ds in K got a Calvin and Hobbes book for Christmas. He loved it and would not put it down. I had a talk with him one day and he understood Hobbes is a real tiger for Calvin but a stuffed animal whenever anyone else is around. He started talking about shit in the thread I could not believe a barely five year old could grasp. I was amazed. Two weeks later we built a "transmogrifier" out of some pvc tubes, cardboard, some metal tape and a few odds and ends from my workshop. He set the dial to "LION", pressed the buttons, got in and was heartbroken when he got out and was still a five year old boy. "Daddy, why didn't it change me?" He wanted to know. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 02:48 PM Flag
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My dd is starting K in the fall -- she was the only one in her preschool class who could read. She probably reads at second- or third-grade level by now. The school will have to accommodate all of the different reading levels in the class. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:52 AM Flag
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What level did she leave K reading? I can tell you based on that what grade level she is on. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:30 AM Flag
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She hasn't started K yet -- she just finished preschool. She is reading Magic Tree House level books -- loves things like Puzzle Pyramid and Puzzle Castle. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:37 AM Flag
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Those are not really the type of books I'd recommend, but do what you need to do. Puzzle Pyramid and Puzzle Castle are not quality books. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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Why not? My dd also loved them in her last year of preschool [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 01:00 PM Flag
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np. MTH books all have the reading level on the back cover. Most of them are mid- to late-2nd grade level. Look for something like RL: 2.3. That means the reading level = the 3rd month of 2nd grade. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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Those reading levels are not in line with the current reading levels used by all DOE schools and private schools. The Fountas/Pinnell leveling system is different than what the book publishers claim the levels to be. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 02:05 PM Flag
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As an early childhood teacher, I think all of you should care less about what the other children are doing and focus on your own individual child. The more you pressure the child, the more he/she will feel frustrated about his/her abilities or inabilities, specifically with literacy. Children grow and learn at different paces, and it is ridiculous to compare them to their peers at such a young age. Please, do yourselves a HUGE favor: PARENT THE CHILD YOU HAVE, NOT THE CHILD YOU DON'T! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:52 AM Flag
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Please don't yell at me, OK? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:54 AM Flag
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I'm not yelling at you, but please realize that by comparing your child to everyone else and worrying about everyone else you are wasting valuable time that could be spent reading to and with your child! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:55 AM Flag
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OK, but I am not the OP. My preschool dd reads really well, and I don't really care about the other dcs. I just hope that when she gets into K, they are able to make things helpful and interesting for her, too, because she's way past K-level phonics. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:59 AM Flag
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I understand what you are saying, but there is a big difference between phonics and phonemic awareness. Your child will learn based on the curriculum at the school you have chosen to attend. Please keep in mind that initially, all children begin to read at different paces, just like children crawl, walk, talk, etc. at different ages. However, at some point (usually around grade 2) everyone sort of levels off and comes into their own. Just read with your child, let him/her explore books and build stories based on pictures, and don't push it. The more you push the more he/she will reject reading. TRUST ME! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:04 AM Flag
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NP: Thank you. It is really hard in this city though especially when so many people are invested in proving their child's intelligence by "early" reading. I try to be relaxed myself & just enjoy my dc, but I admit that sometimes it is hard. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:08 AM Flag
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I hear you but "leveling out" is a myth. Sure, all kids learn to read at some point. But kids who learn faster than others will remain so. But I'm not talking about reading here, just intelligence in general and not talking about accuracy of 4yo's. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:14 AM Flag
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She was talking about reading and often the latest readers end up at the highest level [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:14 AM Flag
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Latest readers become highest level readers often? I don't believe it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:19 AM Flag
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Are you a teacher? Because if you were, you'd believe this. It's true. I've been teaching 15 years and sometimes the lowest reader in the class in K is the highest reader in the class by grade 1 or 2. Not all the time, but sometimes. There are no ultimate truths with children, especially when it comes to literacy. So many of you probably think your child is a strong reader when really he/she is simply recalling sight words that he/she has seen so often: in games, videos, books, flashcards, etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:24 AM Flag
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np: I find it hard to believe. From my experience and my kids so far, the strong kids in K are still strong in fourth grade. It was the same when I grew up. I don't say it never happens that child struggling in K is a star by 5th grade but you can't tell me that is the common pattern. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:29 AM Flag
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I didn't say its common, but I said it DOES happen. Sometimes that child is young (late birthday) and just needs more time. Sometimes he/she needs some intervention and then he/she takes off. Sometimes they need the whole experience of school for the social and academic benefits so that he/she can thrive b/c he/she hasn't had any school experience. You never know--which is why you can't generalize. I just had a 5th grader graduate who was reading on a K level at the end of grade 2, and now he is going to East Side Middle. Go figure. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:32 AM Flag
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Often? More like sometimes, or even rarely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:35 AM Flag
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It actually happens rather often. Reading is developmental. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 02:08 PM Flag
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From a mom of early reader: Believe me, there are so many things going on a K, an early reader will still have things will challenge him/her. Reading is just one part of the curriculum, and I just made sure that dc had books at home that would be interesting. Also, dc would happily read any good children's book at that age, so even really good engaging picture books/beginning chapter books were fine to engage dc's interest even though dc could read more complicated books. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:05 AM Flag
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np: My early reader loved to read to his little brother. (By loved I mean he did it when I cajoled him. But then he didn't stop until called away.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 10:01 AM Flag
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Thank you for this post -- voice of reason. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 02:21 PM Flag
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omg! you are a freak. gl to your kid [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:05 AM Flag
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Are you kidding? I think she's one of the few sane parents on here! The rest of you are more concerned with your reputation after your kids get shut out of top tier schools than actually helping your child. Talk about self-absorbed! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:08 AM Flag
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I doubt it is more than 1/2, but since many of the dc are 6 & some kids do learn in preK it is probably close to 1/2 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 08:55 AM Flag
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What is so funny about all these comments and all of you who stress about TT schools is that you don't realize you are paying $30/k for teachers who are often NOT CERTIFIED! Do you know that many of the TT schools do not require a license or even a Master's degree of their teachers? What kind of standards is that holding them, and the school to? If nothing else, the teachers in the DOE have a Master's AND are certified by NYS, with regulations and expectations held unto them. While that doesn't mean that every DOE teacher is a good teacher, it is certainly a distinction from the teachers at TT schools with a B.S. or B.A. degree and nothing else. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:29 AM Flag
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and yet, some of them still are bad, while some "uncertified" teachers are great. I think there are many amazing teachers at public schools, but there are many amazing teachers at private ones as well. There are good and bad at each. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:33 AM Flag
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everything that you say is true; however, what is also true is that it is virtually impossible to fire a NYC teacher. You can have a teacher with every certification in the world, but they could still be a bad teacher. Private schools have the flexibility to hire and fire (or at least not renew the contract) of their teachers, which is a huge advantage. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:39 AM Flag
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Yes and no. Any principal who wants to do the legwork can have a teacher fired or even have his/her license revoked. I've seen it happen. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 06:11 PM Flag
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LOL! I was a NY public school teacher and certification means very little. While it is true that you teach at a private with only a BA/BA most teachers have masters, many have multiple masters, and many have PhDs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 02:10 PM Flag
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You are correct, however what qualifies them to be a teacher if they haven't had any formalized training in education? 30k is a lot of money to pay someone with a degree in Criminal Justice to teach 1st grade...and I know someone teaching at almost every TT school with a joke of a B.A. or B.S. degree, so please don't tell me how over-qualified your child's teacher is. The fact of the matter is that very few private school teachers have a license. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 06:10 PM Flag
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Around half can read real books imo. Probably only half of those read pictureless chapter books fluently. Most kids can read three letter words and some sings at that age in the tt Ks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:46 AM Flag
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from my experience (2 dcs at tt) a little more than half can read well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 09:48 AM Flag
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As a parent, your idea of reading well is always going to be different than that of a professional. You are all making up these statistics about your children's classes and schools that are so arbitrary. How do you know how well 1/2 the class read? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.09.08, 02:06 PM Flag
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np: We are in public but there is reading evaluation and following that kids are assigned a color coded reading group and based on that they pick books to read. The highest group reads pretty sophisticated chapter books, the lowest level 1 and 2 books. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:45 AM Flag
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Why all the anxiety? I'm all grown up now and thank goodness I can read! I didn't start reading until 1st grade, and I was in Advanced Placement French in highschool reading the great literature. In public schools. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:37 AM Flag
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