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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You have made an important point by identifying how other countries have started valuing creativity and innovation. Once upon a time I went to a humanist school in Los Angeles to visit. I was welcomed by a child who had identified herself as a greeter of sorts. Some grade-school children were digging in mud, others were making banners or flags. A father had dropped in and was having lunch (lunch seemed to be unscheduled) with his children.
ReplyDeleteI met a teacher who was a visiting teacher from Japan. She said that she was here to learn how to bring creativity back into Japanese schools.
The United States once was the epicenter of creative minds. Today, we seem to be racing backwards, implementing strategies that other countries are apparently abandoning.
In addition, I appreciated your comment that the children are freezing at the high stakes testing. Unfortunately our policy makers are trying to get data through an un-natural process, skewing and distorting any possible meaning from this data. Meanwhile, teachers are caught changing answers to improve their class scores while other teachers soend the entire year teaching to the test. Time is spent teaching children how to take standardized tests. Insanity, all in the name of education.
Will we as a profession become courageous enough to stand up to the policy makers?
Hi Susan. I totally agree with you about the pressure that kids face when it comes to testing. Kids should also be assessed on creativity. Being creative as a child can significantly decrease stress and encourage more self expression.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! You made an excellent point about the stress that students face when taking assessments. Creativity should also be assessed because it reduces stress and encourages self expression from the students. This leads me to believe that assessments don't always measure what they should if the child is stressed. I believe that test taking strategies should be assessed to measure how students deal with stressful events. This can help teachers determine if children are under pressure while being assessed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. I remember when I used to love going to school. Then around 3rd grade or so the testing began and all the fun was gone. Teachers are forced to teach within the testing curriculum which takes away from their unique teaching style,and the children are having no fun. This creates an impersonal learning environment that is not helpful for students or educators.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteTesting has definately taken the fun away from school. We are so focused on assessments and accountablity that we have forgotten about the children. I have two grandsons in the second grade at two different schools. They are not on the same level of learning. They will both receive the same standardized test. I ask is it fare to the child who is learning at a slower rate. I work with him at home trying to help him achieve. But the teacher and class can't wait on the one's that are left behind. The state has taken the assistant teachers out of the second grade class, and the teacher can't address all the learning needs of the children by herself.Her class is too large.