Article of Choice: Do You Spend Too Much Time Preparing for Standardized Tests?
Source of Article: NY Times Education Blog
As I read a post from this NY Times learning blog, my eyes were drawn to another side. The side I don't often think about. The question was raised that if we were NOT taking part in standardized tests, would teachers be teaching enough content to students? I guess I always assume that if you're in teaching you're in it to prepare students for life. We all, most the most part in US education, are held to the standard of having "standards" and "required content" which helps to guide me and my colleagues in our lesson planning. I believe that with accountability, teachers will follow those guidelines. A standardized test is NOT ensuring that quality education is taking place.
Now, if we MUST have these standardized tests, I have an idea that I am certain has been placed on the table innumerable times. How about these scores count as a graduation requirement? If not, how can we depend on these scores for accurate information regarding how much our students truly have learned and retained?
DATE CORRECTION FOR ASSIGNMENT 4
10 years ago
I also have wondered about requiring these tests for graduation credit. I often talk to my students after NESA testing and many of them freely admit that they did not try on the testing because they had no stake in the outcome.
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