If you need proof standardized testing is setting students up for failure, just ask the students. Sydney Smoot has a bone to pick with the Hernando County School Board. The issue? The Florida Standards Assessment Test, or FSA for short. On March 17, 2015, Sydney bravely stood up at her local school board meeting to share how she felt about the test and why she believes it's failing students and teachers. "This testing looks at me as a number. One test defines me as either a failure or a success through a numbered rubric. One test at the end of the year that the teacher or myself will not even see the grade until after the school year is already over. I do not feel that all this FSA testing is accurate to tell how successful I am. It doesn't take in account all of my knowledge and abilities, just a small percentage." — Sydney Smoot Can we give this little girl a medal? She was speaking right to my soul with that speech! I reached out to Sydney and her mom, Jennifer, via email to find out more about what prompted this passionate speech.What inspired you to write your letter?"What inspired me to speak all started one day when I came home. My mom asked me how the testing went, and I told her I was told not to speak about the test to anyone. I had not felt comfortable signing something in the test. I had concerns about this test because there was a lot of stress put on students and myself. I was a little nervous before the speech, but when I was called up to the podium, I did not feel nervous because I knew this speech was going to help a lot of people."Have you ever thought about running for president? Cause I'd vote for you!"I've thought about running for president because if I'm president, I will be considerate about the people in this state."You gotta admit, she looks pretty good up there, right?Parents have a right to be concerned about standardize testing regulations.One thing that really stuck out to me in Sydney's speech was that the FSA prohibits students from talking to their parents about the test. So I was anxious to hear what Sydney's mom thought about the stipulation. She had this to say:"When my daughter came home telling me she had to sign a form stating she couldn't talk to anyone including her parents, I got concerned. Not only that I didn't like the fact that the last four of her Social Security number was on the test labels along with other personal information. In today's world of identity theft, it doesn't take much for people to get a hold of these things and use them.I would like to tell other parents to learn more before these tests start in your children's school and know what they are testing. They have options, you can opt out so to speak, and the child can complete alternative testing if they are in the retention grades; or, if the child wants to take the test, support them and let them know that no matter how they do, it does not define them as a person.It's a test and a poorly designed one at best."Standardized tests are changing the classroom. And not for the better.As Sydney shared in her speech, she and her classmates are feeling the pressure when it comes to preparing for the FSA. But they aren't the only ones. Teachers are also struggling to get students ready and are often forced to cut corners as a result.What standardized tests also fail to take into account is that in many ways, test-taking is a skill, one that not every student is ready for. When I was in school, we spent months gearing up for the dreaded FCAT, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. And if months of test prep wasn't bad enough, if you didn't pass the FCAT, you couldn't graduate high school. Talk about stressful! The pressure of your high school career rides on one test, combined with the fact that standardized tests don't accurately measure what students have learned. Plenty of capable students fail these tests due to increased anxiety and stress. If high school students are struggling to handle the pressure of standardized testing, imagine how difficult it must be for elementary school students like Sydney!Young Sydney is a testament to how important it is that we listen to students and create curriculum that challenges and educates them, rather than scaring them into "learning." I think Sydney's suggestion of three comprehensive tests throughout the year makes way more sense than one big statewide test that interferes with teachers' schedules and stresses students out. And let's be real, when's the last time you heard a kid ask for MORE tests?! Clearly standardized tests aren't the answer or at least need some serious work. Hopefully Sydney's message will make an impact and get her school board and schools across the nation to rethink how we measure students' success.This article originally appeared 9 years ago.

When it comes to breasts, Americans really have it twisted. We've sexualized them to such a point we no longer see them for their main purpose: feeding babies.This disconnect is so extreme that when women breastfeed their children in public they are often met with scorn or shame.Florida mom and anti-circumcision advocate, Ashley Kaidel, isn't having it anymore.Kaidel was breastfeeding in an unnamed restaurant when another diner gave her the stink-eye, just for feeding her child in public. So Kaidel took a photo of herself staring right back at the shamer and posted it to Facebook. The photo quickly went viral, receiving over 420,000 likes.In her post, she explained why she had such a stern look on her face."In the picture, it appears I'm staring off into the distance. In reality, I'm staring into the eyes of a woman staring at me. She is looking at me with disgust and shaking her head with judgement in an attempt to shame me and indirectly tell me without words that I am wrong and need to cover myself.”Kaidel says she breastfeeds in public to reduce the stigma surrounding it."I do this for the person that has the mentality 'Boobs are to be covered. They're for your husbands eyes only. They're intimate. It's a personal/private thing to feed your baby. Cover up out of respect. My kids don't need to see that. Walk out of the room' and any other derogatory, close-minded comments and sentiments alike.”Then, she cut through all the nonsense surrounding breasts to explain their real purpose."[B]reasts were made to sustain your baby's life before they were made to bring pleasure to any other man, woman, partner or spouse. Their sole purpose is to make food and dispense it straight into a baby's mouth. There is nothing weird about this and there's no difference in me feeding my baby with my breast than you feeding yourself with a spoon.Finally, Kaidel had some strong words for the next person who attempts to shame her for breastfeeding in public."No person should be isolated and shunned because they're eating, especially when you yourself are eating while ridiculing how someone else is eating. Is it not certainly easier to avert your eyes from a displeasing sight rather than suggest or demand a mother and child remove themselves from your presence? How pompous and selfish is this? Just look away. It's simple to do so. No harm done at all."via GIPHYThis article originally appeared 9 years ago.

"I’d be stepping on his toes.” The post Which songs did Elton John write the lyrics for? first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

A huge influence. The post Bob Dylan names the most astounding live performance he’s ever witnessed: “He just blew my brains out” first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

The song didn't even get on an album. The post The George Harrison song The Beatles rejected after 100 takes first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Taking away from the music. The post “It was so silly”: the gimmick Eddie Van Halen hated doing in concert first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Donny also talks about his similarities to the late Michael Jackson.

The Genesis story covers three distinctly different periods: Genesis with Peter Gabriel, then the post-Gabriel Genesis and finally the ‘80s Phil Collins led incarnation with remaining members Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks.Genesis (Original Version)Under Peter Gabriel’s leadership, Genesis was Prog Rock to the extreme. Given Gabriel’s use of masks and props the band was visually arresting. Launched in the late ‘60s, it wasn’t until the ’72 release of “Foxtrot” that the group’s sound came together. “Selling England By The Pound” represented another step forward as the group added political commentary to their repertoire. “The Lamb Lays Down On Broadway” was their most ambitious and successful album with Gabriel. After a tour supporting the double set, Gabriel departed. His solo career took a while to get going. It wasn’t until the mid-80s, after he mainstreamed his sound (as much as he could), did he score with “Sledgehammer” and the clever accompanying video. Meanwhile his former band mates pressed on with drummer Phil Collins handling lead vocals.Genesis (post-Peter Gabriel)With Gabriel’s departure Genesis’ remaining members decided to buck the odds and continue. Genesis, slowly at first and then with great haste, moved away from Art Rock to the Pop/Rock mainstream. Also, ex-Yes drummer Bill Bruford signed on. Genesis (The 80s)Genesis, whittled down to a trio, was headed by Phil Collins (with his “cabbage patch doll” looks). After years of not making money with Gabriel, they rode Collins to the hilt. The 1980s were great for the band.  Beginning with “Duke” in ’80 the band had a string of five straight #1 albums. Following “Duke” there was “Abacab,” “Genesis,” Invisible Touch” (pictured) and “We Can’t Dance”… released in ’91. “Abacab” had the title track plus “No Reply At All” while “Invisible Touch” also contained a title track hit plus “Land Of Confusion.” No Reply Invisible Touch Collins also embarked on a commercially successful solo career that hit a commercial peak with “No Jacket Required.” His influence was so pervasive it was hard to tell Genesis from Phil Collins’ solo stuff. Meanwhile, guitarist Mike Rutherford busied himself with Mike & The Mechanics. This outfit’s self-titled debut with “Silent Running” and “All I Need Is A Miracle” was the best album produced by any Genesis member either individually or collectively in the ‘80s. Their sophomore set held the hit ballad “Living Years.”Genesis (The 00’s)The demand for classic bands was amazing – especially ones with a ton of hits. The Phil Collins led edition of the Genesis (with Rutherford and Banks but no Gabriel) launched on hugely successful world trek in ’07. The Turn It On Again Tour, taking its name from a song on the ’80 “Duke” album, was the first time this line-up performed together since ’92.Hall of FameGenesis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ’10 ceremony in New York. Collins and Rutherford were there but not original frontman Peter Gabriel – he was preparing for a European tour.As part of the induction ceremony Phish performed “Watcher Of The Skies,” a song that kicked off early Genesis shows.“It’s impossible for me to overstate the impact this band had on me as a young musician and I’m forever in your debt,” said Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio during his Genesis induction speech. “When I hear Radiohead’s “Kid A,” with its odd time signatures and spacious visual arrangements, I hear Genesis, and I hear them in the sonic islands My Bloody Valentine plays between their songs.”Five years later, Banks was named the Prog God for 2015 at the Progressive Music Awards in London. ### The post Genesis appeared first on RockinTown.

by Sayer Ji, Green Med Info: When it comes to traditional remedies, don’t mistake “old” for obsolete. In the case of these 12 natural remedies, they may be old, but they really are tried and true In the modern digital age, information that has stood the test of time is increasingly drowned out by the […]

Democrat Lawfare Exclusive: The Forced Auction To Sell Infowars Is Happening LIVE Right NOW! Alex Jones & Crew Can Be Taken Off The Air Within Hours! Watch/Share What Could Be Their Last Broadcast From Infowars! https://t.co/ne2nc0EK9L — INFOWARS (@infowars) November 13, 2024