“Standardized tests have been a
part of American education since the mid-1800s. Their use skyrocketed after
2002's No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated annual testing in all 50
states.” (Procon.org, 2013). The
big question among so many educators is, are standardized tests benefiting
American children? I believe it is important to do a multitude of assessments.
It is important to do authentic and formal/standardized assessments. Some students
may not show what they have learned through a standardized test. I know growing
up that I had a lot of anxiety when tested formally and never showed my true
potential. I was very lucky to have teachers that used authentic assessments;
observed me in the classroom, looked at projects and homework, and did teacher
created assessments. Assessments are needed in classrooms for teachers to know
if students have mastered what is being taught. Sometimes a teacher thinks he/she
is teaching content the best way possible but in reality the students do not
understand and he/she needs to change the approach. The move to pay teachers
based on standardized test scores is concerning to me. I do not believe
teachers’ pay should be a reflection of this. I do understand some of the
thought process to having standardized testing, but is important that all areas
are being assessed on the same level and the same information.
I chose to research standardized
testing in China. I chose China due to their known high scores on tests. In my
research I found that China puts a lot of emphasis on standardized testing. A
great example of this is the Gaokao standardized test. This test is taken very
seriously. It determines whether or not a student will attend college. If a
student does not do well on this test he/she will not be attending college.
“Chinese teenagers spend 8-10 hours a day for four years in preparation. High
School in China has one purpose: test prep. There is no curriculum outside of
the test (which tests math, English, Chinese, as well as a chosen subject like
chemistry or political correctness). There is no life outside of the test. It
is a high stakes, No Child Left Behind dream” (Levy, 2011). I found that in
China schools put a lot of emphasis on memorization and standardized testing.
Teaching just to a test…is this really helping the Chinese culture?
Procon.org. (2013). Is the Use of Standardized Tests
Improving Education in
America? Retrieved from http://standardizedtests.procon.org/#background
Levy, M. (2011). What I learned from China’s Schools.
Retrieved from
Staci,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that your recognized that standardized test create anxiety for those who are required to take them. I am glad you had a teacher who evaluated you in many different ways to show your true potential. I did not like taking test, and sometimes I did not do well because of the stressed related to this task. I do not understand why a teachers’ pay should be reflective of testing; it is so crazy how testing is the main reflection of how teachers are being evaluated by their supervisors. A test only shows some of what a child can do; the best test is an observation of children in their natural environment, without any false stimuli to hinder the true outcome. When I researched assessments, I also discussed China’s emphasis on standardized testing; they place a lot of focus in this area. You have provided great information; thanks for the insight.
Lah-Lah
Hi Staci,
ReplyDeleteI can absolutely relate to your anxiety about taking tests as a child. I completely choked under the pressures and knew that many of my scores were not an accurate reflection of my ability. What was worse is that my teachers knew it and did nothing about it. I carry those experiences with me and firmly believe in the importance of authentic assessments. I also did a bit of research on China's assessments. It's unbelievable how much time they spend studying!