Best practices show that differentation within teaching and learning is a key to success for students'. Why then are we requiring students to take the same test without any regard for differentiation? Unique learning styles is another concept that is important to consider when assessing. I don't believe standardized tests measure how much students know rather how well they can memorize information and convert it to bubbled answer sheets. Application of concepts is just as important as memorization. How do we know that students can take the concept of addition/subtraction skills on a test and convert them to balancing a checkbook or making change at the grocery store?
Many teachers are now pressured to "teach to the test" which limits the creativity of teachers and stiffles engagement of students. Would it not be better to teach addition/subtraction or money skills to students through real life application? Isn't that the ultimate goal?
Personally, I am not a good test taker. I would study hard but it never reflected on my test scores. When I got my MEAP scores (Michigan tests) or ACT scores back my heart sank at the score. What that score told me was that I was "stupid" and wouldn't be successful in college or in life. It brought my self-esteem down which probably caused me to do worse the second time around. And followed me through to college and the teacher prep tests that had to be taken. But the the truth is it didn't measure my ability to be successful or how smart I was, it measured how well I could take a test. I am living proof that standardized tests don't accurately reflect how much a child knows but how well it can be transferred. I believe teachers' should be given back the creativity to teach students' content and students' should be tested on how well they can apply concepts they have learned to everyday situations.
I chose to research education in China. I did this because I often hear how China has the strongest education system, how some believe it is surpassing the United States in education and I wanted to learn more about it. Here are some facts:
- There are four levels of education in China: primary, junior middle, senior middle and higher education.
- All students have 9 years of education. Students are required to complete primary and junior middle education but may go on to senior middle and higher education by passing exams.
- The exam focuses on core subjects but also physical and sports education, moral and political education. How well the students do on this exam determines the quality of their senior and vocational schools.
- In order to be accepted into a University students' must take the National College Entrance Exam. Admission is determined mainly on the results of the exam but investigation into the students' moral and social character may also be considered.
References:
Living in china: The education system in chinga. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.liuzhou.co.uk/china/educationinfo.htm
A holistic approach to teaching children requires a much wider prospect than the standardized testing that is now being conducted in most schools. Several schools have begun to realize that standardized testing does not always reflect the knowledge that children have. Teaching the “whole child” ensure that every aspect of a child is being considered; physical, moral, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects. I believe it is important to consider all of these things during education.
ReplyDeleteErika,
ReplyDeleteI agree that a holistic approach to teaching children is important. I believe as we instruct our students' we need to teach them physical, moral, social and emotional skills as well as consider them during instruction. However, at this point, I don't believe we are doing that when we assess our students'. I know in my district, there is a BIG emphasis on our state standardized test in the Spring and teachers are teaching to that test all year. Do you see the same things?
I do agree with you, I don't agree with the standardized tests. What does it really prove? Children learn at different levels and different paces. Just because some children are weak in some areas, does that really say that they are incompetent. I don't think so. Math and science were my weak areas in school, but I did my best and to my abilities to pass those classes. Teachers should be focused on improving children's learning versus focusing on tests that does not depict what a child really knows.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you...I do not believe in standardized tests. The American education system has become obsessed with teaching to a test and it is hurting our children. They are not learning real life skills and are just memorizing facts and forgetting them. I like how you talked about differentiation and unique learning styles. In my undergrad work, we talked a lot about both of these and how important it is to involve all types of learning styles in your teaching.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting in words the way we all apparently feel! I also am not a strong test-taker...my SAT scores were not promising for the college I wanted to go to. I think teachers are losing all their creativity because they do tend to teach to the test. I know in early childhood, we spend so much time trying to think of enrichments for our classrooms, and I feel that public school teachers are losing this. Amber, I think you have been a very valuable asset to this class with your experience in special education. Thank you for sharing so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Amber,
ReplyDeleteAs you know I work in a charter school. Part of our learning model is that the children don't learn by sitting at desks in strict environments. Instead, we invite the children to learn in group settings, on the carpet (yes, even the 3rd graders), having morning meeting and by utilizing the skills we all already have-touching, tasting, seeing, hearing and smelling. It is with this model that we have discovered some children do well (better than others) and some need that structured setting. I feel as though the same should be true for assessment testing and standardized testing. Obviously, the one regimen does not work for all the kids, why not go back to the drawing board and discover another process, another method to reach every child?
Hi Amber, I could not have expressed the points you've made any better. Nice job! I too am not great at memorizing material and putting it on a test. Years ago I took the SAT's. The ACT's were just beginning to be implemented and not widely taken. My scores on the SAT were meager at best... good enough, but not any measure of my ability to integrate and effectively apply knowledge. In regard to special education I am not a specialist by any means. However I get the sense that much of what goes on in a special education classroom is similar to what goes on in a Montessori classroom. Assessment can be measured over time and on a daily basis. In Finland where teacher training is rigorous, a teacher's skills are respected and trusted. Teacher's are trusted to educate and assess children's social and academic in much the same way that a doctor is trusted to treat and assess a patient's health.
DeleteAmber,
ReplyDeleteThe points that you presented were factual! Do away with standardized test I say! Testing children based on one time performance doesn't justify skills. I believe all children should be tested on the same scale. Through multiple styles of presentation. If testing has to be done it should be in the form of presentations, hands on or whatever type of learning style best fits that child.
Thank you for taking the time to view and provide feedback on my blog. I also enjoyed reading through all of your posts. Your profile picture is beautiful!! Good luck in your future courses!
ReplyDelete