I found a news article about standardized testing, basically explaining how an elementary school is going to try and "beat the FCAT!". I understand the theory of holding teachers, schools and districts accountable with standardized testing but it seems like the teachers are forced to teach to the standardized test materials, leaving little room for students and teachers to be creative and learn/teach in multiple ways. Why spend time learning through group work if students are measured only individually? So I understand that children should understand basic reading and math skills, but children are different, and perhaps it takes different learning styles to better reach them all. Standardized testing seems to unfairly punish those different, those who aren't proficient route learners. There's a definite lack of creativity involved when you're only asked to memorize, it's very robotic and I think that's hurting U.S. students.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110410/ARTICLES/110419985/1109/sports?Title=Students-begin-week-of-standardized-testing-with-a-more-demanding-FCAT
I don't think teachers or schools should be accountable for the lack of performance, the state should. The state creates the test and the standards. I remember how we had to take the WASL in high school. I guess with the low performance, the state removed the WASL with the HSPE, which has a lower standardized standard. Either way, standardized testing does restrain students for using creativity.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that the fact that every child learns differently should drive more of the conversations about education. Creative thinking should be more encouraged, for sure....
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