Over the course of this week, the readings, video, and research on standardized tests I have come to the conclusion that not all tests are created equal. Throughout my childhood I remember having to take tests and remember how much I struggled with tests. I don't know if this stress is normal or hereditary, but it is something that my mom struggled with too. I feel that testing can be stressful and it is not for everyone, especially those with learning disabilities. I don't think it is fair to say how intelligent a person is based on their test scores. I never had a learning disability that I knew of, but I can't imagine how difficult it would be to someone who does have one. If I had to chose how successful a student is in school I would definitely look at a more holistic approach. I would base their intelligence on what they know about the world around them, and what kind of smarts they have based on their experiences. I know that in most schools tests are based on what is taught out of a book, however if this is not interesting to the child because they cannot relate to it and do not retain the information because it doesn't have meaning to them, then they fail that part of the test. I think that each child comes from a different family and each child is exposed to different environmental factors. I think that a child that lives in a ghetto, they will learn more how to protect themselves and their families, and even start work earlier and taking care of their parents and possibly siblings. It is not fair to say that the child that is exposed to this and does not have the time to do homework or think about what they are learning in school, is not smart because they don't achieve in math, science, and reading. I really think that a child should be tested in what they know based on their world around them.
Also, I think that more tests should be verbal, because sometimes it is harder to put on paper what you know. I had a teacher once in college test me verbally and I aced the test, but the other ones that I had that were written I did not do so well. I think that people are better to speak what they know, and the teacher could then know that the child is learning, and then will be able to see that they deserve a better grade. This would be a very good way for children with learning disabilities to verbalize what they know as their disability might hold them back.
I looked online various websites that talk about tests that are done in other countries, and it sounds like most of them are doing the same standardized tests that we are doing here in the US.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/07/education/07education.html was a website that talked about Shanghai being the highest ranking country for Program for International Student Assessment, a test known as PISA. Another really interesting website that relates to children with learning disabilities is http://www.helpguide.org/mental/learning_disabilities.htm
I am with you that it should take more for assessments than just a written test. I'm sure they do this because it is the fastest way to do it and we are a want it and want it now society. I enjoyed reading your post
ReplyDeleteI myself am not a good tester. Once I hear the word test I automatically begin to stress. I had a teacher that would use other words besides "test" so that students would not go into panic mode when taking an exam.
ReplyDeleteI myself am not a good tester. Once I hear the word test I automatically begin to stress. I had a teacher that would use other words besides "test" so that students would not go into panic mode when taking an exam.
ReplyDeleteYour post was the first one to look back at the experience of testing. I appreciated that. I recall on testing days feeling the stress of my parents and my teachers. This sensation was the most salient memory I have of taking standardized tests - the stress that others had for me.
ReplyDeleteRenee,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that all test are not created equal, and that verbal testing should in most cases be more vital than written or at least equal to, because it is hard sometimes do to skills to write down information, even though you know it.