Test Question Asks Third-Graders to Reveal Secret: Approve or Disapprove?

But who cares really. when I took those tests I gave them what they wanted to hear, whether it was true or not wasn't important.

I've been asked this question before- it wasn't at school; it was at a camp sort of thing; and what I answered back had one too many 'F*** You's' for the authorities' liking. :)

This is most disturbing. While it could be just a stupid idea that someone came up with it could indeed go a lot deeper than that. Could the intent be to find out about child abuse in a very sneaky way? While the more we know about that the better they should never trick this age children into anything.

This is nuts. This should not be happening at all. What goes on at home or in a persons private life, should never be made public or revealed in any way shape or form.

what if they wrote "i like the kid next to me" then what would u do?!?!

That Is a messed up question.

Congressmen should be asked this question. This is just creepy to try to elicit secrets from innocent children. Very 0 like.

Revealing secrets destroys trust. I know from experience- in middle school, my son told his stepbrother some things in confidence and the next day at school lunch the stepbrother blabbed to all at the table-mutual friends- what my son told him. It ruined their relationship and put some stress on my new marriage. This was years ago and they are not close now and I don't expect they ever will be.

As a public school teacher this is a unsettling incedent.

Of course my first question was what secrets could an 8/9 yo really have? And then I asked myself is this some new way to get creative fiction writing tested?

But then my mind went to darker thoughts. Is how schools will be checking for incedents of abuse now? With a once a year exam at the end of the school year when its too late to actually do anything about?

Teachers and school admin are all required to report suspected abuse (same as medical pros are) but many teachers, sadly, are turning a blind eye so they do not have the "hassle" such reporting can create.

I guess though I have to wonder seeing as how these tests are done without connection to a student's name (ID numbers are attached to each test but they are not then attached to students because they are not part of the students records only the schools'), how harmful can this be? I guess seeing as how I am the teacher fighting against these tests being given anyway I can not get to bent out of shape when something comes up that turns more people against them.

It's not that big of deal. It's not like they are going to be shared with anyone. And sometimes its better to write about your problems than to keep it in...

Plus, what is the biggest secret a 3rd grader could have?
"I stole Bobby's pencil" ? It's not that big of a deal

I find it "unusual" WHY this question was asked on a test. I have nothing to hide, but unless the school district is paying my rent and bills, they shouldn't have the right to ask stupid questions.
I wonder what secrets THEY are keeping??

I don't think this is a question to be asked on a school test. Who created the test?

What utter nonsense - why should any child be asked to discuss a secret with some strangers - do the teachers and administration need a dictionary. I would be telling my kids to answer (if question is deemed reasonable): "Yes and it is none of your damn business what it is. Secret means secret."

I am so sick of schools trying to be parents when they cannot even teach subjects with any efficiency.

It is an inappropriate question.

One of the first steps in becoming a Big Brother state, "1984" is coming.

The public system of "education" needs to be completely dismantled!!

AGREED!!

Imagine the can of worms the mind of a third grader could open with false lies about another student they don't like.

>.< Honestly? I would have wrote "It won't be a secret if I tell you, now will it?" It just confuses me on why they would put that on there, even after reading the article..

How could this kind of question be on a standardized test? That makes no sense.

Haven't you seen the movie 1984, this is a prime example of "big brother" is watching

I've taught elementary school for 28 years. This kind of question has NEVER been on any standardized tests I've ever seen. Sounds like more conspiracy theory BS for wingnuts to buy into. Standardized tests have to have questions that are not open ended like this question is.

Thank you for teaching our kids. Did you teach in New Jersey where the question was asked? It is just a question.

I teach in Ohio. But these mandated standardized tests are devised and written by national test companies which make a profit by selling their tests to the states.

Could it be something that just happened in NJ?

idk...

Have a nice day.

I think that is crazy....kids should not have to reveal any secrets on a test at school. I don't like this idea one bit. Is this more government regulations coming down through our school systems??? This had to put the kids in a difficult position to say the least.

Haven't you seen the movie 1984, this is a prime exampel of big brother is watching.

No, never saw that movie....

You should try to see it.

I would sure like to try to find it... is it an older movie? Or a recent one?

Somewhere around 197?. I know it was before 1984 and it's all about Big Brother controlling you lives.

Thanks for telling me about it! ;)

1984 was a book written in 1949 by George Orwell! It was made into a movie and it is scary as to how it follows what is happening right now.
Here is a link that will tell you all about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Thanks my friend....for the link and the info..... ;)

My pleasure my friend. Any time. :)

I not only disapprove of this question no matter how innocent the thought process was behind it. I disagree with this standardized testing mindset. These tests are not so much to gauge how much students are learning as they are a referendum on how teachers are teaching. Because of this, teaching and the expanding of the minds of students has been thrown out the window in favor of teaching to the test. All these tests will do in the end is show that the school system can graduate equally stupid kids.

This is straight from Hitler, Stalin and Mao

and what's the point of this? the government trying to find out who they can count on to inform against others? whats next ok kids on todays test we want you to tell us a secret about YOUR PARENTS!