This may sound like the question of the ages, but let's not get too philosophical. I'm not asking why are we all here on this planet, in this country, state, etc. I am asking why am I, a future high school English teacher, here on Blogger, talking about standardized testing in American schools. Well, stated bluntly, because I have seen standardized tests as the bain of teachers, administrators and school districts around the country for quite some time. Schools waste time, money and energy on test upon test upon test, while students become increasingly adept at how to take tests, not how to think critically, problem solve and engage each other in rational conversations.
I am also here because I am a parent. My daughter is nine years-old and in the fourth grade at an elementary school in Southern California. She has not opened her social studies book this year--not once. She has, however, taken the STAR and TOPS tests and a few other tests that somehow survive without the mandatory acronyms attached to them. She does not know the capital of the state nor country in which she lives. Now, before you start hollering, "Well, the schools are not here to teach YOUR child everything while you sit by and watch!", trust me, I get it. I am not expecting the schools to teach her everything she needs to know, yet, her father and I should be able to work WITH her teachers in furthering her education, not homeschooling her on the subjects that her over-worked, stressed-out, teaching-to-the-test-focused teacher cannot find the time to cover.
That being said, I hope to hear from those who may feel the same way I do--and from those who do not. It is only through rational, constructive debate that we can further the discussions regarding education, and standardized testing in particular, on this forum, and begin to enlighten, enrich and educate students--not label them with the numbers from a score on a test.
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A couple months ago amidst the economic turmoil there was a proposed
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I, for one, have never been able to understand all these tests and what purpose they serve. I don't remember ever taking this many tests when I was in school.
ReplyDeleteExactly what "standard" is there for these "standardized" tests and who sets it? And really, what do the results of these tests tell us? Could it be that the teachers are not spending enough time teaching and spending too much time testing?
The fact that my granddaughter (can we use names?) does not even know the capital of the state she lives in speaks volumes. I know she can read well enough that she would be able to find out the information if need be, but if she's not learning this in social studies, what is she being taught?
I completely agree! Schools today aren't teaching much! For example, my high school class was the first class to ever have to pass the exit exam in order to graduate high school. If you've never really heard about this test, I'll explain how it works. Everyone must pass this test sometime in their high school career in order to receive their diploma. This test is supposed to be a test that covers basically everything that a student would learn throughout their high school education. What I find funny is that, I passed this test with flying colors in my freshman year. All these tests do are take away an entire class (or multiple class periods)from the teachers.
ReplyDeleteTLC, to answer your question on what the results are telling us, they tell me that (if the tests are being passed) the students are outwhitting the system! In my opinion, the system itself is completely out of whack! If they would just tell the teachers what material needs to be taught and let the teachers use their own means to get those things taught, what's the problem?
I agree- I believe that schools aren't letting teachers teach, and that they are really looking after high marks on standardized tests. I am blessed to be working in a private school where, although there is testing, there is also so much freedom to just...teach. I don't remember anything from standardized tests- what I do remember is the way individual teachers have impacted my life. It's a tough situation to be in- the schools get money when the scores are high, they get repremanded otherwise. Keep following this- maybe someone in the higher-ups will take the much needed notice.
ReplyDeleteSeveral valid points have been raised in the early throws of this "discussion" which deserve particular attention.
ReplyDeleteHowever, what may be missing from the debate thus far is a more "forest instead of the trees" perspective.
But before we define the “forest” let’s clarify some other elements addressed in this topic. "Schools" is a term that has a very nebulas definition. Who or what are “schools?” We certainly do not mean the school building when we say “Schools today do a poor job of educating our children.” Do we mean teachers, administrators, school boards, all of them, some of them or something else altogether?
I propose that “schools” regardless of your chosen definition are not at fault for faulty education – including the use and misuse of “standardized testing.”
This brings us back to the forest, which encompasses all elements of the educational process we employ in this country, in these times. One of the primary problems is that our educational system as a whole is broke, plainly and simply put – it is not an effective way to educate. Why? Well this can be debated for decades and is likely fodder on some other blog.
Why do we do standardized testing? One simple reason – the government say we will do it. You remember, those are the people we elect to run our cities, schools and counties. And especially important in this discussion the government refers to those who operate at the state and federal level. The two agencies that are most influential in what takes place every day in our schools.
If standardized testing doesn’t work – why don’t we just stop? Simply put – the schools loose money. Teachers loose jobs and the kids who are getting little personal attention now – get even less.
So? The reality is, whether one argues in favor of standardized testing or against; whether it is or is not the right thing to do; whether it benefits or harms our kids or not – standardized tests will be performed. By overworked, underpaid educators and administrators. All this so that the current state and federal governments (who we elected remember) have the opportunity to control the most vital resource that fuels the educational system today – money.
As long as schools must operate by utilizing federal and state funding, the goals of Washington and your state capitol will ALWAYS overrule the true mission of educators. And, what many will begin to learn soon is – with all of the “change” that has been promised from a charismatic national leader – our educational system will not improve but will simply have more requirements, measurements, rules and stipulations placed upon the already overwhelmed people who would love nothing better than to teach the subject matter that they labored so long to master.
Debate, argue and discuss about the need for standardized tests. Get you local school boards to take a stand – if they won’t elect new ones. Get your state leaders to take a stand. If they won’t, elect new ones – you get the picture.
In the meantime never loose sight of the personal responsibility that we parents have – regardless of how broken the system is, or how good (or horrible) the educator is – to bring up our children as vital, balanced and actively involved citizens who may have the gumption to fix the mess that their forefathers have caused!
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ReplyDeleteIt is my assumption that Standardized testing is (insert-blame-here)’s poor attempt to measure the potential of a student. In reality, the standardized test is only effective in reducing a student’s ability down to a concrete number, which reveals test taking ability and not a holistic view of the student’s potential. It seems to be a matter of the government’s priority; money.
ReplyDeleteIn 2008, with Pres. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, approximately $62.6 Billion in Educational appropriations were requested. In that same year over $699 billion were appropriated for Military and Global War on Terrorism spending. Yes, national security is extremely important, but without a proper education there will be no one to manage our national security in the future. The point is, with the jumbled priorities of the national government, comes the inability to properly appropriate necessary educational funds. In turn, these highly lucrative, high-stake tests become more about (insert-scapegoat-here)’s bottom line than they do about a students educational well-being.
Wow! I love the insight & points of view presented! Great reading! And always enjoy "Uncle Scott's" wisdom and fun, interesting method of serving it up, for us to chew upon. So, after I pondered the anticipated responses of allies, I thought I might share an opposing view.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a mother (of a 14 year old boy) and also an educator. Although not an educator in the truest sense of teaching particular subject matter relating to a degree I have acquired. I educate my son especially, but also his friends. All the while, they, too, educate me. Communication is the most vital resource that parents have available to them. If communication is open AND parents are REALLY listening, they will know how their childen are progressing and/or areas that may need some additional instruction. Open communication helps to defray the costs that outside influences play against their ability to learn, such as peer relations, issues happening at school directly or indirectly affecting them, personal struggles, image issues, etc. As someone mentioned earlier, each child is an individual and, while ideally they should be treated as such throughout their education, it is near impossible when educating 30 "individuals." Besides, LIFE does not necessarily recognize our individualaties either (college, employers, et al).
Thus, if educators were given no parameters and just allowed to teach what they thought in each child's best interest, would it really be in anyone's best interest? Standardized testing is just that.... A Standard. It is a measure to the parents of their childs strengths & weaknesses so as to improve. It is a measure of the current method of teaching in comparison to previous years or other school systems. It is a method of measuring the education system nationwide to review the progress or regress, as it may be. Without standardized testing how could students prepare for college that may be further than their nearest large city? A college that is close to a community with students excelling on these "standardized tests." Now this particular "individual" cannot pass the entrance exam nor maybe any other college exam because he or she has gotten the personalized attention that they "needed," according to the students' parents and/or teachers.
So, dear "Future English Teacher," give yourself a break! Spend quality time with your daughter. Learn to be the very best teacher that you can be (and I know you'll be a gem!) within the given guidelines. Teachers have a great impact on our children but parents have an even greater impact and the parents need to take that responsibility from the shoulders of our educators. Teachers have a servants heart or they wouldn't do what they do ('cause it sure isn't for the $) but you cannot change the world as a whole, so just impact what you can. God bless all of the "teachers!" We hold the future in our hands and hearts!
I am a father of two 12-year old girls. Both attend a local middle school in Southern California and both are good students.
ReplyDeleteIn recent years, I have certainly seen the trend of increased testing. It appears that a growing number of states, spurred in part by criticism that schools are not educating students well enough, have implemented a variety of new tests. A few years ago, President George W. Bush moved expand testing nationwide at all grade levels. Bush, who has made improving education a major issue in his administration, offered a simple explanation. "Without yearly testing," he said, "we do not know who is falling behind and who needs our help."
But here is the problem with his thinking. This move to make testing an even bigger part of classroom life has caused one of the hottest debates in American education in years. While some experts are encouraged by what they see as the return of accountability, others believe additional testing may actually weaken education. And I agree!
It is the opinion of many that the tests have forced schools to drop important parts of the curriculum, in order to give more time to areas that will be covered in the test. It's not learning for the sake of learning anymore, it's just “learning for the sake of testing.” Since bad scores can get school officials in trouble with the public, there may be pressure on schools to save themselves, at the expense of their students. Often, it is a matter of jettisoning certain lesson plans so that students can be "taught the test."
More ominous is criticism that some schools may be pressuring poorly performing students to drop out or transfer before they can take the tests. Even without school pressure, experts say, exit tests already appear to be driving out some weaker students before graduation.
The biggest problem comes when a test is used to assess both the students and their school. Whenever you're using the same tests for those two purposes, the institutions are always in a better position to protect their interests than are the kids.
So with all that said, I agree that we should teach our children more and not rely so much on testing.
It is so disheartening to watch schools only teach to the test while our state falls further and further behind in education.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to really dig deep on all of the many factors that only serve to deteriorize and affect the students' learning experience. Does standardized testing take into account students social, cultural and background knowledge? We are not "all created equal". More importantly, some students simply do not test well. When a student gets a wrong answer, in Math, for example, there is no way to determine why the student got it wrong (there's no "scratch paper with students' steps included) only filled bubbles. There should be a focus on student-based performance versus filled bubbles.
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