I have no problem with testing but I believe that so
many test make children stressed and nervous. I feel if the child is passing
all of their classes that’s measurement enough because they are retaining
information and using that information. There are so many different test that
are required for assessing and measuring children. I can remember my oldest
daughter would be sweating bullets before she went to school on test day. I
would try everything to calm her down and nothing worked, she got butterflies
and would feel nauseous. I think the test measures the child’s mind but the
whole child has to be looked at. All children are different and should be
treated as such. A child can be a straight A student but clam up on test day
and does not do well on the test at all. Does this mean the child is a failure
because they did poorly on standardized test? Most schools use standardized
test to see what the child has learned academically.
International comparisons as well as disparities
within the United States led to passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
of 2001, a federal law promoting high national standards for public schools
(Berger, 2016). On December 10, 2015 the NCLB Act was replaced with Every
Student Succeed Act (ESSA) this was to help reduce the amount of standardized
testing. Earlier this year my daughters
school had a parent meeting for parents of 3rd, 4th, and
5th grade students. In the past when my oldest daughter was in 4th
grade students had to pass the test with a certain percentage as well as pass
all classes or they would not be promoted to 5th grade. Fast forward
to now in the meeting we were told that the test is not a pass or fail test
anymore so as long as your child pass their classes they will not be required
to pass test in order to be promoted to the next grade. This took the stress
level down for so many parents and I was one of those parents. The standardized
test children are taking now in 4the grade is to assess the student, and the
teacher who is teaching the student. They want to know what is the child
learning by being taught by that particular teacher and the school receives a
score as well. Before we got out for summer break my center manager told the
staff that now for the upcoming school year when the classroom is being
observed instead of receiving a number grade we will get a letter grade from A
to F and the center will receive a grade instead of stars.
In Germany they don’t penalize children for poor performance and they do not make school level test scores public like the United States does. Germany’s reform efforts included the creation of national standards and standard based test for students in grades 3-8, which sounds like the U.S. approach (www.theatlantic). Germany have test called OECD and since 2000 the test scores have increased dramatically. Germany ranks 20th for math proficiency, the U.S. ranks 49th behind Turkey. Are these test really needed if the child pass all classes and the teachers knows the child understands all information that was discussed in class the entire school year? If a teacher knows the child can do the work, and can actually do it with little or no help then why test children on standardized test.
References
Berger, K.S. (2016). The Developing Person through
Childhood (7th ed.) New York, NY: Worth Publishers
I agree that testing should not be a main concern if the child is reaching the goals set forth by the teacher. The teacher should know by the end of the year through classwork/homework assignments, working one on one with each student, and classroom activity if the child is learning the material need to move on to the next grade. My oldest daughter has the same issues as your daughter when test time is near. She would get sick, and actually throw up the morning she knew she had a test. It got so bad I took her to the doctor and we were told she had test anxiety. She has always made AB honor roll and is a star student. As a parent and educator this really upset me. Why get a child this worried and upset over a stupid test! So I agree with you on your views on testing. I was amazed about your findings on Germany. The children there don't have to worry like our children do, and that's why in my opinion they are doing so well. The numbers prove it! Great post sweetie!
ReplyDeleteMisty
Dear Monica,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was really refreshing to read. The issue of standardized testing is very limiting. Some scientist doubt that a single test can measure the complexity of the human brain, as every child possess multiple intelligence. Although everyone possess all of these, each individual excels is some particular ones. Family and culture dampen or encourages a particular intelligence based on norms and expectations. For example in Nigeria while we were growing up in the 70’s to late 90’s, any child that what wants to pursue a career in football or music is seen as a failure and ‘drop out’ by his family and community.
Sternberg describes four kinds of intelligence – analytical, creative, practical and wisdom. He says that schools emphasize analysis (academics), but creative and practical intelligence should also be valued in children.
I also love the Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA). In fact, I advocate for such acts all over the world. Let the development of children be progressed based on the particular intelligence the child is biologically build for. Also, tests should be tailored around the particular intelligent behavior revealed in a child.
Thanks,
Blessing