Standardized test scores don't tell half the story

It’s no secret that the schools in the Hinsdale IL area are some of the best in the state of Illinois. At the elementary, middle and high school levels, the Hinsdale IL schools consistently score exceedingly well on the standardized ISAT tests.

Beyond standardized test scores

Today, I visited Mrs. Tweedie’s fourth grade class at Madison School. I witnessed a mock trial. It was an elaborate exercise where Goldilocks was being tried for trespassing, criminal damage to property and theft. There were tenacious prosecutors, shifty witnesses, glib defense attorneys and a full jury. The presiding judge was Mrs McMahon, the school’s principal.

Beyond my expectations

I expected to witness ten year old kids attempting to emulate the legal system. Instead,  I experienced a class full of ten year olds who had internalized their roles to an extent that was Oscar-worthy. These kids were 100% into it. And they thoroughly understood the process-from the bailiff’s swearing in witnesses to the prosecutor’s re-direct. The depth of their understanding was absolutely amazing.

These teachers can teach!

Wow. In my mind, only a stellar teacher with stellar tools in a stellar educational institution can get 10 years olds to learn a complex (and somewhat dry) topic and love it in the process! Hats off to you, Madison school.

Maybe my real estate tax bill isn’t so bad

I am happy to pay my real estate tax bill knowing that, in part, this level of educational excellence is being purchased. Thank you.

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