Chapter two discusses assessment and gives a variety of ways to properly assess students in an authentic way. Such as, running records, informal inventories, portfolios and many others. Yes standardized testing is among one of the ways in with children can be assessed, but my question is why is it considered to be the "soul" thing schools look at? Standardized tests are high stakes and create pressure for everyone involved yet they are the main factor in wether students move on, schools are considered good, if teachers keep their jobs, and the amount of funding schools receive. Why is this? Why don't we look at the other forms of assessment over standardized test, especially when we as teachers know that they are not the best form of assessment to begin with so how is it that they are what we are still using? Chapter two provides many different ways to assess along with in depth descriptions of them and why they are good forms of assessment. Later in the chapter it discusses standardized testing and why we use it but it still does not make sense to me. The section on standardized testing states "standardized tests are prepared by publisher" no where does it state that teachers or anyone in the education field help and or approve of these test, where as some of the other forms of assessment such as teacher-made-pencil-and-paper test are clearly made by teachers and meaning they truly understand how children learn and what is best for them. Along with that the section of standardized tests is the only form of assessment that has a continued section titled "concerns associated with standardized testing", no other form of assessment has a negative follow up or concerns, because they are all set up and enforced by teachers. This just proving my point that standardized tests should not have such an impact over the school systems and should not be used as the main focus for assessment. Why aren't we looking towards the other forms for results and using them as a determining factor? They would be more accurate and easier on the students, teachers, parents, and school.
Hannah, I can truly feel your passion against standardized testing. However, I have to play devil's advocate for a moment. Yes, standardized testing evaluates the group rather than the individual when it should be evaluating the individual instead of the group. It is just hard to come by a form of assessment that the whole country can be measured by. It would be much harder to assess students all over the country based on teacher-made pencil and paper tests, even though that would benefit that teacher's class. As I mentioned in a previous post, a student in Alaska will not know what a "curb" is, but a student in New York will. In this situation, a child is suffering because he/she is taking a test that used vocabulary those in Alaska are unfamiliar with. I guess my question for you would be, how would you prefer to assess the country? Even if teachers did write the standardized tests, they still will not be able to focus in on each individual community. It's like a cycle that never ends, but I'm sure future educators will be able to figure out a better way to assess.
ReplyDeleteI think portfolios, as you mentioned, are a brilliant idea! It individualizes each student and it is something you can pass on to future teachers. I remember making portfolios throughout elementary school and being so enthusiastic to share them with my parents during parent/teacher conferences. That motivation and excitement gets some students eager to learn more as the years go on.
I really enjoyed reading your post! Great job, Hannah!
I agree with you Hannah! I think there are so many other forms of assessment and there is too much emphasis and stress on standardize testing! I believe assessment should be tailored to each classroom by the teacher based on what is being taught in the classroom. I'm sort of going off what Kayleigh said, it is hard to evaluate the educational system on a national level without using standardize testing, which why I believe they are still being used.I would love to see a time where our students are only issued one standardize test a year, just for national statistics, not to pass or fail or determine if you move onto the next grade. This test should be altered based on location and culture of students, such as the example Kayleigh used about the Alaskan and New York student. What I wish even more is no testing at all, but rather a personalized portfolio idea, showing off the talents and knowledge of each student and can be passed on to new teachers. I remember doing this throughout my years in school and I enjoyed showing others my work! I think if schools can incorporate some sort of portfolio and kept the testing to a minimum, our students would perform better in school and be more eager to learn!
ReplyDeleteHannah, I agree with you. I love the idea of using portfolios and other ways to document a child's progress. I am always a firm believer that especially at a younger age, children develop at different speeds in all aspects, educational, mentally, physically, emotionally. How do we measure every child's progress when we already have so little time? Standardized testing would not be so harmful if it did not decide the students outcome or ability. Give them the test, but do not base drastic decisions on their results, thats not measuring the students capability at all. It can sometimes be disheartening when you learn that a major part of what you will teach will be stressful for your students, I can only hope that by the time we have our own classrooms, there will be a different test or way to assess students.
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