Standardized testing as child abuse

It’s bubble time for the kiddos—and not the soapy kind

Last month in Oceanside, N.Y., Christine Dougherty wrote to her son’s principal requesting that he not sit for the standardized state exams. In the letter, posted to United Opt Out National’s website, she asked that Joseph instead be “given an alternative real learning opportunity.” She received a ghastly response.

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Tuesday, May 8,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

May and June can be much more than a pre-summer bummer

Gray months provide crucial prep time for July and August

By Aaryn Belfer

Ah, yes, glorious summer: when bedtime is a foreign word I cannot pronounce, when concerts in the park and concealed beverages are regular features of any weekend.

Wednesday, April 25,2012
Opinion

Parenting other parents has become a day at the beach

Slowly but surely, I’m learning how to deal with these people

By Aaryn Belfer

In my less-experienced days, I might have said, Sure no problem—what’s 30 minutes? even if it completely jacked my schedule. And then, too, I’d have complained about it here. But like I said, I’m getting good at dealing with this passive-aggressive style of parenting.

Wednesday, April 11,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

I am Trayvon Martin’s mother—are you?

Most white parents can’t relate to the experience of black parents

By Aaryn Belfer

It makes no sense that my baby could be tucked safely in bed while Sybrina Fulton’s was being profiled, stalked and murdered by a self-appointed neighborhood policer and negro-phobe who, more than a month-and-a-half later, still has not been arrested.

Wednesday, March 28,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

My rose-colored glasses come off

Facing the realities of school administration during economic hardship

By Aaryn Belfer

Last week, a parent at my school planned a parent-child walkout during school hours. She asked that we gather with our children for all of 30 minutes to say that we oppose the draconian cuts that could reduce our teaching staff to nearly half of what it is currently, and that the coming explosion in class sizes is unacceptable and not in our children’s best interest.
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Wednesday, March 14,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

Saturdays with Zoran and Cobra

I may not be cut out for basic training, but I can handle a little urban jungle gym

By Aaryn Belfer

Yes, my opening bid for Beach Body Boot Camp was also the only bid for Beach Body Boot Camp. And this is how I came to find myself at 8 a.m. two Saturdays ago, not snuggled in bed with a cup of coffee and The New Yorker, but, rather, standing in some sci-fi, medieval place not quite Game of Thrones and not quite Beyond Thunderdome.
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Wednesday, February 29,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

I’ve been trend watching

And now I have bald spots where my hair used to be

By Aaryn Belfer

But this column is not about one school’s innovative money-raising methods, because many schools are doing that. No, it’s really about various trends I’ve noted and have come to enjoy in some manner—either in an I-love-it kind of way or, more frequently, in an Ah-jeeze-that-one’s-scary kind of way.

Wednesday, February 15,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

The worst of the ’80s and the worst of school come together

What does this seventh-grade question say about me—and about school?

By Aaryn Belfer

I recently found myself suffering another memory I thought I’d cremated, brought on by an overwhelmingly effective trigger in the form of a multiple-choice question posed by one Gary Rubinstein on his blog.

Wednesday, February 1,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

Home-schooling lacks my idea of diversity exposure

I don’t mean to be all socialist-y, but—what about the greater good?

By Aaryn Belfer

As much as I may disagree with standardized testing and the abysmal curriculum that comes with it, I believe in and want to be a part of a successful public-school system

Wednesday, January 18,2012
Backwards & in High Heels

Progressive educator Alfie Kohn comes to town, but is anybody listening?

Some interested parties paid a lot more attention when Michelle Rhee was in San Diego

By Aaryn Belfer

Kohn lambasted—while citing research—traditional education methods like worksheets and bubble questions, as well as the intellectual, social and psychologically stunting impact of tests, quizzes and grades.