In my opinion, standardized tests are a waste of time and tax payer money. There are so many things that can make the testing results unfair, to say it's a fair procedure. To start, study's have found that if a child doesn't get enough sleep, doesn't live in an appropriate environment, or even if they don't eat breakfast....these facts could affect a child's performance on the test. This is truly sad when the results of the child's test affects their future. Researcher Gerald W. Bracey stated it best when it comes to certain areas that should be looked at when assessing a child, rather than relying in standardized tests. "According to late education researcher Gerald W. Bracey, PhD, qualities that standardized tests cannot measure include "creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, curiosity, endurance, reliability, enthusiasm, empathy, self-awareness, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, sense of beauty, sense of wonder, honesty, integrity" (Procon.com, 2014). I feel this way because children are special and different in their own individual ways, and results of standardized tests are not capable of catching this individuality.
"Few countries use standardized tests for children below high school age--or multiple-choice tests for students of any age" (Kohn, 2000).
The country that I have chosen to focus on is Germany. In Germany the tracking system doesn't start until age 5. There are 3 types of schools under this tracking system.
Gymnasium- provides an academic, university track education
Realschule- provides a general and vocational education and permits transfer to the gymnasium
Hauptschule- provides a lower-level general and vocational education that often leads to unemployment.
Students who are affluent in socioeconomic status attend the Gymnasium; while the children of migrant workers attend Hauptschule. Students attending Gymnasium through grade 13 receive a school-learning certificate called the Abitur. This provides access to universities after students pass a final exam.
"The 2003 Program for International Assessment (PISA) study showed that the performance of German students correlates more highly with socioeconomic status than does the performance of students from almost any other country" (Rotberg, 2006).
References
ProCon.Org. (2014). Standardized Tests. Retrieved from http://standardizedtests.procon.org/
Kohn, A. (2000). Standardized Testing Victims. Retrieved from http://www.alfiekohn.org/article/standardized-testing-victims/
Rotberg, I. (2006). Assessment Around the World. Retrieved from http://www.csun.edu/~Krowlands/Content/SED610/NCLB/NCLB%20rom%202007/Assessment%20Around%20the%20World.pdf
Hi Shawanza
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I was searching for someone that posted their blog early and go figure - you and I chose the same country! I chose Germany because we were stationed there for three years. You are right when you stated that standardized testing does not take into account what a child experienced the night before the test. I remember getting my girls to bed early so that they would not be tired during SOL week! Those were stressful events for all of us. Thank you for the links!
Shelita
Hi Shawanza, I couldn't agree you more that the standard tests sometimes are not fair to the children. There are many learning styles for the children, but the tests only take once and only have one method. Germany is my next exploring method after reading your post. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteHi Shawanza, I learned new things from your post, Great job, Gremany's system is awsome, it inspired me after reading it. Exams days were very stressfull for me, the best scientists in the world were not tested by these standardized tests, but they gave us a lot to us, for example, Albert Einstein, Ibn al-Haytham, but they are genuises.
ReplyDeleteHi Shawanza!
ReplyDeleteI love that you covered the German school system! I attended 2 of these schools while I lived in Germany on the Army base! The Gymnasium and Realschule were so wonderful to attend! We would attend one of the schools at least once a week during the semester, incorporation with our regular American school classes. We would shadow the older students during their classes. I was like a big sister/brother experience, where we practiced our German language skills and learned more about their culture! Great times! I remember that each school had a very relaxed atmosphere, all the children were happy and the teachers were very encouraging. My favorite was the Realschule because the had creative arts classes for those children interested. Of course this was years ago, so I do not know if they still have these. I could imagine they do. Any-who, thanks for sharing, it definitely took me back to my primary school days!