While trying to figure out what to write about for this assignment, a news story popped up on my television about a woman complaining about her son being held back a grade level due to the fact he couldn’t pass his standardized testing. This issue provokes many thoughts like why do we have standardized tests when no person falls under a standard categorization of intelligence? More importantly, why does national government require it when you’ve proven your knowledge passing the class all year? Standardized tests qualify your intelligence on a subject based on one exam and impede individualistic understanding, the national government would do right to get rid of them.
Students spend approximately nine months of the year sitting in a classroom learning about the subjects they are required to take. That’s not to say those subjects are irrelevant; they all benefit your knowledge and experiences in the world to some degree, but STARR tests, ACTs, and SATs are all ways to account for what information you obtained throughout school. For example, in an article entitled, “SAT vs. GPA”, Colleges goes on and on about the importance of SAT scores saying that standardized tests help compare your knowledge to students around the world. The problem is students themselves are all individuals with strengths and weaknesses that seem to be disregarded in these tests. Some students crack under pressure and thus are inaccurately analyzed when doing standardized testing. Furthermore, school districts send out criteria that students enrolled in classes should master by the end of the session, so if the student’s grades in those classes demonstrate understanding and various teachers’ or different teaching strategies can contest to it, what more can the tests prove? A well-rounded learning experience is sufficient information about the knowledge and credibility of the student which should be promoted by the government.
People will argue things like favoritism among students and teachers or insufficiently educated teachers grading, but in truth every person has at least one teacher they but heads with. If you can still pass their class when it is evident favoritism isn’t the reason you made the grade. Additionally, standardized tests promote conformity, a value Americans undermine in the presence of freedom. These tests often exemplify mastery of only so many units of study, otherwise the tests would take years, the years you spent in school learning the material. Standardized tests also inhibit those with learning disabilities from doing the best they can which promotes incompetence and encourages judgement. The list of negatives goes on and on.
Overall, standardized tests are means of categorizing intelligence of students, a unnecessary in analyzing information obtained and devalue all non-standard forms of understanding. The national government needs to take them away.
For my final colleague commentary, I chose the article “S.A.T.’s are B.A.D”, written under the blog site title, Life and Liberty. I see and discuss this topic often being employed in the Texas public school system and having four children that are receiving their education through this system. I see the strain that this testing places on the entire school district. The teachers are on edge, the students are drained and administration seems to be in a panic during standardized testing, currently known as the STARR test. I undoubtedly emphasize with the entire team.
ReplyDeleteI do not however disagree with these methods of academic testing. While the argument made in my referenced article is that, “…if the student’s grades in those classes demonstrate understanding and various teachers’ or different teaching strategies can contest to it, what more can the tests prove?” In my opinion, the test proves a lot. They are put in place to make sure that my child fully comprehends the material that is being taught. These tests are holding my child accountable for that knowledge and confirming that he did indeed learn it, rather than just bluffing his way through it. Also, they ensure that my children are being led by an educated teaching staff that also holds themselves accountable. Without highly qualified teachers, children are greatly hindered in their learning. Standardized testing is set in place to make sure our children and educators are performing at their best.
While I support an academic testing system such as STARR, I’m not entirely sure of the way it has been implemented. I believe additional measures should be put forward to allow educators to have a clear picture and better understanding of the expectations given. The students as well, should feel confident in the testing process, as opposed to stressed and confused. Continuing to be involved in our education system, no matter what your position, is imperative. It’s important for communities to get informed, get involved and fight for a stronger system.
For my final commentary, I chose the article “S.A.T.’s are B.A.D”, written in Life and Liberty blog. I agree with my colleague because I don't think standardized tests are the best way to distinguish students' intelligence. Therefore, I don't recommend these tests.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the student can be intelligent in different field besides in science, math, and english. Also, if the student is not a good timed test taker, they will definitely do poorly on the these tests. Therefore, they are not able to show their full potential. There are no correlation between GPA in college and standardized tests. Therefore, the students can be successful in elite colleges even though they hit average on the standardized tests. The government and the education system needs to find an alternate way to test the students for the college admission. This system is not a fair system and it may discourage many students.