[Youtube.com]
I am an advocate for assessing the whole child. What I find interesting is, when children are in the child care centers, we assess the whole child using assessments such as Ages and Stages Questionnaire also known as ASQ. When children are in elementary school, assessments begin to move away from the whole child and are geared to cognitive development. I believe that all the developmentally domains should still be assessed throughout high school. This can be done by assessments that list the developmental milestone through development. Teachers can conduct assessment throughout the year, save student work and provide activities that are used to assess the children. I believe that assessment should be done throughout the year instead of twice a year.
Testing in China
Between America and China, there is not a big difference in standardized testing, except for how often a standardize test is given , but the reason I chose China to research is because China is actually working towards removing standardized testing. I find this interesting because China is leading in math and science technology, but is working towards removing standardized testing. The reason China is considering taking away standardize testing, is because they believe that with strict guidelines for the test, creativity and innovation is lacking in the students. China believes that creativity and innovation is what is needed for the country to succeed in the future.
Right now, all students have to take a standardize test to gain entry into college. The test is called "Gaokao". Students spend their whole life preparing for the test, because the results of this one test determines their whole future. For preparation of the Gaokao exam, throughout the grades, children have end of the year exams and benchmarks, that are used as check points.
[Youtube.com]
In America, the STARR test is given to grades 3-8 and 9-12 grade. 3-8 grades are tested over reading, math, writing, science and social studies. 9-12 graders, the test is given as an end of the course assessment test. The STARR test in America, can keep a child from progressing to the next grade and can actually keep a student from graduating high school.
My Final Thoughts...
I believe standardize testing is not needed. I don't understand how one aspect of development is beginning assessed, when we use all of our developmental domains to function through life. If we could continue to assess high schoolers, like we access young children, focusing on the whole person, I wonder what that would look like. I also believe that standardized only gives a snap shot of the student, and not the whole picture. We are basing the future of the students, based on a snapshot.
References:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/magazine/inside-a-chinese-test-prep-factory.html?_r=0
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/17/education-in-china-testing-diane-sawyer_n_785016.html
http://www.chinaeducenter.com/en/cedu/psedu.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF8G6-E24Ew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPs46yOcwP0
Great post Cierra! I agree that standardized testing is really not the most effective or efficient way of testing children. Using a test to determine a child's education and future is simply not fair and really doesn't much make sense. There is so much more to a child than just that one test and unfortunately, we base far too much emphasis on tests and assessments instead of focusing on the individual child.
ReplyDeleteRuthanne
You did a wonderful job and I really like the pictures and videos. That enhanced your insightful information. Standardized testing is not the only way to measure a child's abilities and look at the areas that needs improvement. We should not rely on a test to determine the future of children. This is truly just a snapshot of what they can or cannot do. We need to redirect our focus on the "whole" child and less focus on the different tests and assessments that are available. Great post and enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDelete