Saturday, April 9, 2011

Educational Testing

I believe that children should be assessed by their mental capacity-IQ testing and their mental state (emotional testing). If you are able to see where a child is at in mental capacity you can determine what they are capable of.  If they have a low IQ or mental capacity then the school system needs to provide a curriculum or job training reflective of that.  If there is an emotional issue such as RAD-reactive attachment disorder, schizophrenia, etc., then these issues need to be addressed.  I realize this is not the system that will meet every child’s need or will find every child but it is a start.
In reading about the education of special needs children in Africa, I was unable to find much in the way of testing.  Most special needs children are hidden and do not attend school.  The social stigma of having a child with special needs is devastating to the family.
There are very few schools that are capable of taking special needs children mostly due to the lack of funding.  Many teachers are not trained to work with children who need modifications.  There is a push on to better serve students with special needs. 
http://www.education.gov.za/Programmes/EarlyChildhoodDevelopment/tabid/437/Default.aspx
http://www.info.gov.za/whitepapers/2001/educ6.pdf
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3 comments:

  1. Beth PowellApril 10, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elizabeth LesterApril 10, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    I have also done research on African special needs children in a previous class. It is devastating to hear that they are hidden away as though they are a plague. Special needs children have many gifts and talents as typical developing children they just learn differently. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Leslie GrayApril 10, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    I know I was heart broken to find that this still happens in this day and age.

    ReplyDelete

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Personal Childhood Web

Mom-My mother
Influence: showed me a love of learning that has lasted a life time. She would have “Tea Parties” with me but insisted on real food not pretend. She would read to us each night and tuck us in. She showed her love and affection by being there and showing me how to make it on my own. Her impact on my life is ongoing. She is still guiding me to be a better and stronger person.

Dad: My birth father
Influence: taught me that continuing your education may be tough but is always worth the effort. He would take me on camping trips each summer and road trips to historical places. He always called me “sis”. His influence takes me to historical sites. I have an appetite for history.

Don: My step-dad (Dad)
Influence: taught me that hard work was important in life. He taught me how to drive my first stick shift. He moved me back and forth to college many times without question. He considered me his own and became my father when mine abandoned me. He still checks in on me and makes sure my head is on straight.

Grandma D: Paternal Grandmother
Influence: she taught me how to be a “proper” young lady. I remember how I should behave to this day. She showed me how to make ordinary everyday things into magical paths to the imaginary world. A refrigerator box could be a house, doctor’s office, fort, or a cave below hundreds of feet. She showed me how to cook and sew so I could be a good wife. Though she is not with me now I still can look at a plain item and imagine where it could lead me.

Grandma Z: Maternal Grandmother
Influence: taught me that women could be fierce and independent. She loved flowers and taught me a love of them as well.