Good Morning and get ready to sharpen those No. 2 pencils!

In the spirit of 'No Child Left Behind' instead of something interesting (at least to me), we have a test:

1. Rod Blagojevich is:
a. A disgraced politician
b. The new lead singer for Chicago
c. A way for conservative talk radio to get some December ratings
2. Britney Spears new album is:
a. A work of art
b. Junk
c. When is Chicago going on tour?
3. The annual deer hunt at Ridley Creek State Park is:
a. A good way to get Christmas dinner on the table
b. A necessary evil to help the ecosystem
c. A way to make many feel superior for a few hours
4. The $14 billion auto industry bailout is:
a. A good way to make sure more jobs aren't loss
b. A good way to make the rich richer and for politicians to line their pockets
c. A necessary evil so U.S. auto makers can move more operations to Mexico without dipping into their own pockets
5. The announced layoffs by the NFL are:
a. A joke, right?
b. A sign of how bad the economy really has become
c. A way to make the rich richer
6. The Yankees signing of pitcher CC Sabathia for $161 million over seven years is:
a. Obscene
b. A good move by a franchise trying to get back to the playoffs
c. The exact thing that's wrong with pro sports
7. Eagles coach Andy Reid is:
a. A bad coach who got lucky a few times
b. A genius
c. He's good, but he's no Charlie Manuel
8. George W. Bush is:
a. A dope
b. Clueless
c. One of the 'Original Kings of Comedy'
9. Reading Gil Spencer:
a. Makes my mind turn to mush
b. Opens up my brain to a whole new way of thinking
c. Makes me yearn to listen to Chicago's first album
10. The annual Winter Concert at Garrettford Elementary was:
a. A fun time during a stressful season
b. A good way to bring the community together
c. Makes me want to pick up a violin

Extra Credit: After watching the following video, explain how the world is not going down the river without a boat:


If you have any cool links or answers, e-mail them to onlinedelco@gmail.com

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

OK, I have a confession to make, I told a third-grader not to worry about the PSSA tests. This, of course, will be a shock to the system.
The PSSAs are government-mandated tests that will be given over the next couple of weeks and schools are into an all-out push.
There have been daily letters home to parents. There was even a 'contract' sent home telling parents it was their duty to make sure there are no activities after school during the week the PSSA will be administered.
Some schools even hold pep rallies and all-day study sessions to get ready for the 'test.'
Hogwash!
In fact, I thing we'll stay up late every night and maybe even take in a movie or two.
Sure, it's probably a dumb protest, but there is enough pressure on young students these days without adding any more.
The PSSA tests are now the complete focus of the public school system. Instead of teaching to learn, teachers are teaching for the test. There is extra homework, extra time spent during class and extra pressure on the teachers, adminstrators and students.
I'm not blaming the schools. Our President has set this 'No Child Left Behind' bull. The states have no choice but to follow along, which leads to pressure on the school districts, individual schools, principals, teachers, finally, the students.
You know what they say runs downhill.
We should be giving students a reason to love learning, love going to school, instead of adding more and more onto their heads.
The biggest problem is the tests are standardized throughout the state.
Now, let's just look at the school districts in the county. There is no sane way to argue the students in the Radnor School District and the students in the Upper Darby School District get the same education.
This is not to say the teachers, at least some, don't try and that there aren't some talented teachers in both school districts. The plain truth is it's not the same education, yet they are held to the same standards.
When a third grader is walking home and believes the PSSA tests could potentially keep him out of fourth grade, that's just plain wrong.
If that's the message schools are sending, they should be held accountable.
Instead of getting all the students together to 'pump' them up for another test (really, aren't there enough regular tests throughout the year) gather them in the gym to sing or listen to some stories or ... whatever.
So, take the tests because you have no choice, but think about baseball the whole time.
Here's a quick history lesson: When I was in school there were standard tests given each year. We always thought they were very important to our advancement.
By the time we reached sixth grade, it was obvious the tests had no real meaning. So, we took the No. 2 pencils and created designs in the little circles, barely reading the test questions.
We all made it into seventh grade.

If you have any cool links or photos, send them to onlinedelco@gmail.com