Ugh. Standardized Testing...

 

We need to measure growth. We need to understand and be aware of the gains, or lack thereof, each child is making throughout their academic life. I understand and completely agree that what/how we currently measure a child’s academic growth is not a true and accurate picture of the whole child and we need to figure out how to make this different. Currently, with the No Child Left Behind Act, each child from third to twelfth grade are academically assessed each year in math, reading, writing, and science. Based on the results of these assessments, students, teachers, schools, and school districts are measured, and whether or not appropriate growth is made, is determined.  I cringe each year when my state’s standardized tests scores are posted.  The community sees just a single piece of a child through these scores, and through this limited view, judgments and decisions are made. Never are the combined accomplishments and growth recognized of an individual student’s academic, developmental, social, or physical achievements.  We need to shift our understanding and awareness and realize that how a child performs on their standardized math or reading tests does not indicate the true achievements of a child. We need to see and assess HOW a child gets from point A to point B.  We need to look at what they have accomplished and what they are successful in, while keeping a firm understanding that each child is absolutely different and should never be held to just one standardized test score.

In researching how other countries measure and assess their children, I was intrigued by Finland’s approach. Finland is one of the world’s highest performers in standardized academic testing, yet, students are not officially assessed until they are 16 years old and this assessment is used to determine whether or not a student chooses a vocation or university.  Finland does not have standardized tests. In Finland there is a strong emphasis on creativity and investigation, the schools “are rich in the arts, in play, and in activity”. (Strauss, 2012).  Teacher and students are encouraged to adapt and modify the curriculum to best support their current needs as Strauss explains, “teachers design their tests, so teachers know how their students are doing and what they need. There is a national curriculum — broad guidelines to assure that all students have a full education — but it is not prescriptive. Teachers have extensive responsibility for designing curriculum and pedagogy in their school. They have a large degree of autonomy, because they are professionals”. (Strauss, 2012). Teachers and education are looked upon with high regard.  Teachers are highly educated in best practices and current research. Children start school later, have longer recesses, and have more opportunities to explore and express interests and talents. We need to rethink and restructure what we are doing in the U.S.A. Countries with fewer resourced and funds are exceling, while we continue to fight to provide the best educations, keep children in school, and be competitive with the world. We need to step back and look at what other countries are doing and recognize that a standardize test does not truly measure all that a child is capable of, as Straus points out, “We claim to be preparing students for global competitiveness, and we reward mastery of basic skills. Our guiding principles: Competition, accountability, and choice. Finland has this singular goal: to develop the humanity of each child”. (Strauss, 2012).

References

26 Amazing Facts About Finland's Unorthodox Education System. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.stormfront.org/forum/t930284/

No Child Left Behind. (2012). Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml

 

Standardized Tests. (2012). Retrieved from http://standardizedtests.procon.org/

Strauss, Valerie. Why Finland’s schools are great (by doing what we don’t). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/ravitch-why-finlands-schools-are-great-by-doing-what-we-dont/2011/10/12/gIQAmTyLgL_blog.html