Post by Richard A. Weeks on Oct 18, 2013 19:04:39 GMT -6
Hello MGIS Families,
A concern regarding early childhood testing, specifically PALS, was brought up during the September PTA Meeting. This concern was also mentioned on the MGIS Facebook Page (Friends and Supporters of MGIS). Based on the complexity of the issue this was rescheduled for discussion during the October PTA Meeting.
The following is some basic information regarding PALS:
PALS Early Literacy Screener
Wis. Stats 118.016(1) requires an early literacy screener to be administered to all 4 year old kindergarten to 1st grade students enrolled in public school districts and charter schools for the 2013-14 school year and beginning in the 2014-15 school year to expand this requirement to also include all 2nd grade students enrolled in public school districts and charter schools.
• All 4 year old kindergarten to 1st grade students are required to be administered the fall and spring English language version of PALS in the 2013-14 school year and all 4 year old kindergarten to 2nd grade students are required to be administered the fall and spring English language version of PALS beginning with the 2014-15 school year.
• A Spanish language version of PALS is currently being piloted for kindergarten. Schools are allowed to administer the Spanish language version to any students that they feel would benefit from being assessed in Spanish; however, they are still required to administer the English language version.
The intention is to have a full discussion regarding this topic followed by a formal vote from the membership to determine if the PTA should advocate for our staff and students in an official capacity. If this vote to advocate passes it means the Milwaukee German Immersion School PTA as an entity will collaborate with the PTAs from the other Immersion Schools in an effort to get Wisconsin Statute 118.016(1) amended. If the vote fails it means the PTA cannot act on the issue.
The PTA would like to invite you to attend the meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 6:30 PM to hear directly from staff how this testing is affecting the process of learning for our children. As this is a full discussion anyone in attendance will be able to ask questions and speak. You do NOT need to be a PTA member to attend this meeting… it is open to everyone, and everyone is encouraged to attend. However, the formal vote will be by paper ballot and only PTA members will be allowed to vote. PTA memberships will be available up to the meeting start time for anyone wishing to vote. Memberships are open to everyone; mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, businesses, and even students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Weeks
PTA President
Milwaukee German Immersion School
A concern regarding early childhood testing, specifically PALS, was brought up during the September PTA Meeting. This concern was also mentioned on the MGIS Facebook Page (Friends and Supporters of MGIS). Based on the complexity of the issue this was rescheduled for discussion during the October PTA Meeting.
The following is some basic information regarding PALS:
PALS Early Literacy Screener
Wis. Stats 118.016(1) requires an early literacy screener to be administered to all 4 year old kindergarten to 1st grade students enrolled in public school districts and charter schools for the 2013-14 school year and beginning in the 2014-15 school year to expand this requirement to also include all 2nd grade students enrolled in public school districts and charter schools.
• All 4 year old kindergarten to 1st grade students are required to be administered the fall and spring English language version of PALS in the 2013-14 school year and all 4 year old kindergarten to 2nd grade students are required to be administered the fall and spring English language version of PALS beginning with the 2014-15 school year.
• A Spanish language version of PALS is currently being piloted for kindergarten. Schools are allowed to administer the Spanish language version to any students that they feel would benefit from being assessed in Spanish; however, they are still required to administer the English language version.
The intention is to have a full discussion regarding this topic followed by a formal vote from the membership to determine if the PTA should advocate for our staff and students in an official capacity. If this vote to advocate passes it means the Milwaukee German Immersion School PTA as an entity will collaborate with the PTAs from the other Immersion Schools in an effort to get Wisconsin Statute 118.016(1) amended. If the vote fails it means the PTA cannot act on the issue.
The PTA would like to invite you to attend the meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 6:30 PM to hear directly from staff how this testing is affecting the process of learning for our children. As this is a full discussion anyone in attendance will be able to ask questions and speak. You do NOT need to be a PTA member to attend this meeting… it is open to everyone, and everyone is encouraged to attend. However, the formal vote will be by paper ballot and only PTA members will be allowed to vote. PTA memberships will be available up to the meeting start time for anyone wishing to vote. Memberships are open to everyone; mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, businesses, and even students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Weeks
PTA President
Milwaukee German Immersion School