The Report Card by Andrew Clements
As a parent I was shocked when I read this book. It is a political book. It is in response to the No Child Left Behind Act. Read it and be appalled.
A fourth grade girl lies to her parents for 5 years about the fact that she is a genius. Her parents have no idea. She doesn't want people to know she is smart because she would be pushed academically and if she went into the accelerated classes she would miss her friends. She finds out that there are teachers that feel the same way she does about tests and grades -- they make kids feel stupid. All the kids in her group (except two -- one who wants to go to Harvard like his parents -- he is the bad guy in the book) all get zeros on a quiz on purpose in a strike like fashion. They know that the real estate values are tied up with how good the schools are -- but they don't care.
Educators, some writers like Clements, and (yes of course) a lot of kids hate tests and grades. I'm sorry to break this to you -- but the grades are also for the parents and the communities to determine the success of schools. It is feedback. Maybe the tests themselves need work but we need a way to determine wether or not our children are being educated. Fact: schools are failing.
My daughter loved this book but she lacks the ability to look at it critically. As a parent I do not want a writer making his political case with my kid. It is politically predatory.
Although I take time to read the books that she reads, sadly many parents don't have the time. I found this book shocking in it's intent.
Being A Kid
The Report Card
Nora had a report card she was proud of. In fact, she worked hard to get all D's, but didn't quite succeed; she got one C. She knew that her friend Stephen tried really hard to get good grades, but when he didn't, he felt dumb. If Nora could get a bad report card, she thought Stephen would feel better.
Nora knew before she was old enough to go to school, that she was a genius. At a very young age, she could read better than her older brother, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings.
While in kindergarten, Nora began to mimic the other children. If one child was struggling with 2+2, she would struggle with 2+2. When she mimicked a child who couldn't read `cat', she would pretend that she couldn't read `cat'. Her favorite person to mimic was Stephen.
Nora and Stephen became friends and she never told him that she was a genius. In fact, even her parents didn't know of her extreme reading and learning abilities. That was, until the report card. Nora's parents went straight to the school. They held conferences with the teachers and principal. They were going to find out how Nora could get a bad report card without, anyone notifying them, that there was a problem.
What Nora hadn't counted on was the IQ test.
I liked Nora for not wanting to be the center of attention. She had extreme abilities, but she was just a kid and enjoyed sports and learning, just on her own terms.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood, author
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
High stakes testing is good for no one!
Nora Rowley is a highly gifted student, but you'd never know it by looking at her grades and test scores. She decides that the focus on grades and state test scores does nothing good for kids after watching how her best friend, Stephen, is discouraged by his not-so-great scores. Nora hatches a plan to start a rebellion that will end testing forever.
An interesting commentary on how much state mandated, high stakes testing sucks for everyone.
A Delightful Read!
Mr. Clements hones in on some important educational issues--particularly the emphasis on test scores as measures of potential college aptitude. I know a lot of teachers who have become disenchanted with the teaching profession because of all the emphasis on standardized testing these days.
Fifth-grade genius Nora is quite charismatic and her cohort Stephen is equally charming in his own way. Nora takes issue with the importance of grades and test scores in determining students' assessments of themselves and others and she is especially concerned about her friend Stephen who does not do well on standardized tests and has consequently decided that he is not very smart. I found this a delightful read and I would think it could lead to some great classroom discussions.
PCE Student Review
My favorite book is the `The Report Card' . It is a really good . When you start reading it , you can't put it down . The author is Andrew Clements. He is my favorite author. The book is about a girl named Nora Rose Rowley . She pretends to be dumb , but she is really smart. Why do you ask? Because everybody is making a big deal about grades. The kids are dividing into the `smart' kids and the `dumb' kids. She wanted to change that. I think every age group will `Love'' this book, I did . Go check it out at your local library.
