And Then There Were...

(I don't know what the Seattle Internet Exchange is, but I love the graphic.)

Oh my holy hell. What a day. I stayed until 5PM, packing boxes for the big move. But the big news of the day is that Super Big State Test results are back and every single one of my 5th graders passed English/Language Arts. All my math geniuses scored super high on the math section. We only lost 7 kids to the State Test in 5th grade this year: one in Reading and six in Math. Most will be classified as African Americans who are economically disadvantaged. We've already heard that we need to find a way to meet their needs. I don't know how to meet the needs of an economically disadvantaged child unless I start class with a peanut butter sandwich, a brand new pencil and a notebook. I need some help in this area - I know that I grew up with kids who were economically disadvantaged: the Catholic kids in my neighborhood who had eight brothers and sisters come to mind. One family whose house burned down. And yet they were always in school with homework in hand. Peanut butter sandwich in the other. Education was the most important thing in their home. In all of our homes. So, how do I get that message through to those who struggle the most with this?

Because I saw the 4th grade scores and, seriously, we're in for it next year.