As a preschool teacher one of my jobs
is to instill school readiness in my children.
This includes (but is not limited to), self-regulation skills, development
of gross and fine motor skills (physical development), teaching my students
basic skills to taking care of themselves, giving students individualized and
group instruction based on academic needs and their interests, and to help
properly develop the students’ personal and social skills. As far as measuring a child’s progress in all
of these areas, there is some debate to the validity and to what standards they
are being measured by. I feel that
through play interaction, small group instruction, and other informal notes it
is possible to assess the whole child.
In
later grades there are formal tests along with concrete evidence from classwork
based on state standards. The difference
for kindergarten and preschool is that children are still developing in areas
that are not included in standardized tests such as social/emotional skills and
self-regulation. A kindergarten entrance
assessment has been suggested to really identify the child’s learning level and
cognitive abilities (Jones, 2011).
The Italian education system is standardized, meaning curriculum and exam materials are set
by two bodies, the Ministry of Education and the National Education
Council. The aim of this standardization is to ensure that all students
receive an equal education. There are annual tests to make sure that students know the material and that they can advance to the next grade. There is less of an emphasis on written exams. Oral exams are emphasized.
While school is required starting at age five or six,
younger children sometimes attend nurseries (starting at three months)
or scuola materna (three to five years). The education system is free to all and every child is ensured a spot. Though parents do have a private school option for their children.
Compulsory education goes until age 14 (which they are trying to raise). After that they reach upper secondary school where they must choose a college prep approach to schooling or a vocational route.
Whichever route they choose to take there are written and oral exams that determine if they pass or fail.
Resources
Jones, J. (2011). Assessing Young Children's Learning and Development. Principal, 90(5), 12-15.
http://www.ehow.com/about_5313137_education-system-italy.html
Alyssa, Wow I never thought the children in Italy didn't start or push education on their children unitl they were 5 or 6 years of age. Do you think thier social skills is develop later in their school years? My children started daycare at the age of 1yrs of age. They didn't go a full day but it was important that they were able to socialize with other kids.
ReplyDeleteDarrell Sallam
Darrell, they have free daycare starting at 3 months old but it is not a form of school...just a place for working parents to take their children. This could possibly serve as a way to socialize with other children.
DeleteI have enjoyed our interaction this semester. Thank you for the positive feedback along the way. I also really enjoyed reading your post and learning from you this semester. I look forward to continuing to support each other in our future classes together.
ReplyDelete