Dumbing themselves down

SR sends in notes from a teacher’s conference workshop:


70% of kids who enter Kindergarten able to read or do math, will lose that ability before they leave Kindergarten, generally within 6 weeks. This has to do with the child’s desire and need to please their teacher, by meeting – and not exceeding – her expectations; and wanting to fit in with his or her peers.

This surprises me, but it makes a degree of sense when you think about it. I have no idea if it is true or not, however, it does have ominous implications for even the best-prepared child’s academic future.