In the state of Texas, we are continually assessing children. However, I do not believe the previous TAKS test assessed the whole child. For example, a child is being tested on what they know and have memorized, but does that really show the intelligence of a child? I think not. I can say this because I had many 3rd graders who were, in my opinion, quite intelligent, but did horrible on the TAKS test. They were not good test takers, and they froze up when the test was placed in front of them.
Now, for the current year, we will be standardized testing with the STARR test. (
State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) This test is quite scary for all educators in Texas right now. Again, it doesn't test the whole child; rather, it tests the child on how to apply skills they have learned. While this is a great trait for children to learn, (we all need to learn how to APPLY things) it isn't helping a child apply life skills. It is only helping a child apply, or attempt to apply information they have gotten from school. Testing likes these only measure literacy and numeracy. We need to allow children to show their creativity as well as their objectivity.
So many times, educators are told to not teach to the test and use hands on experiences. I am a firm believer in both statements; however, if we push the students to use manipulatives, which they do need, how unfair is it to not allow them to use it on a standardized test? This is a huge injustice when children have learned by using concrete objects. I remember the stresses of the testing, and what would be heartbreaking would be when a student would ask me if they could get out the color tiles or counting cubes during the test, and I would have to tell them no because it wasn't allowed on the test.
I know it is important to assess a child's literacy and numeracy, but there are many disadvantages to testing. If a child does well all year but fails the standardized test, it isn't fair that the child be held back because of the testing. I do not believe the testing should dictate whether a child moves to the next grade level. I think the testing should help a teacher focus on what a child needs more of, and how to accommodate that child.
I remember going to a workshop as a district this summer. I cannot remember the exact statistics, but the presenter of this workshop discussed how some foreign countries do not standardize test and their children are still ahead of all United States students. That struck me. What are we doing wrong? What can we do better? He mentioned how standardized testing is taking away a child's creativity. I couldn't agree more!
For example, Madfloridian's Journal discuss how Asia is moving away from standardized testing because it is taking away creativity and innovation. This goes on to discuss how the U.S. is continuing to impose the testing, and unfortunately, they (those in the state who controls the testing) do not want to hear about education. It is so sad to know many people want to put so much pressure on educators, but do not care to hear about what this testing is doing to our future students. I think we should try to do the same thing - move away from the testing and bring back the creativity!
Again, I know we need to assess to see what a student has mastered and needs help with, but I think we need to go back to the original way of teaching. I believe teachers and students shouldn't feel such strong pressure of standardized testing. I believe educators should be allowed to teach to the whole child. Educators need to get back to allowing children to use their creativity. I remember school being fun and exciting. Unfortunately, many students today (including mine) dread going to school on some days because they know they are going to have to do things for the test. They know they have a test they must pass to move on to the next grade; do they need to have this pressure as early as 3rd grade? I think not. This, of course, is my opinion.
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