I am not a supporter of standardized tests which would mean that such a program would not be my cup of tea. I believe that it is extremely important to focus on, especially in the lower grade levels, socialization, creativity, life lessons, and the importance of multiple intelligences and finding out which one of these intelligences applies to you. Standardized testing takes away from all of these aspects with rigorous studying and preparation. Students miss out more on things like music and art because of the rigid structure that these tests put forth onto teachers. This is because with insufficient test scores comes less funding and the potential for people to lose their jobs which no one wants, therefor they put more effort towards these tests, which are fallible ways to assess children, which to me is something that is not okay especially for kids who are just entering school who are trying to adjust to the life as a student and socialize healthily.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Standardized Testing: Expanding the Frontier to Kindergarden
New York City is about to take the standardized tests to a new level. They will be implementing a program in which kindergarden, first and second grade students will be taking standardized assessment tests. This program will encompass close to 12,000 students and the tests will range from multiple choice based, one on one correspondence with the teacher to video game based tests. The supporters of the program state that there has already been assessment based testing and that this is an upgrade to what has already been in place. They relate it towards a thermometer in which the original assessment tests were like a thermometer that told you if you had a fever, where the new program will be like a thermometer that will differentiate a fever of 103 degrees from one that is 104 degrees.
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2 comments:
I am also opposed to standardized testing, and completely agree with Fred's view of this article. I think subjecting Kindergardeners to standardized testing is rediculous. First of all, I don't feel these tests will acurately measure ANYTHING. These kids are simply getting used to all the different aspects of a new environment, and need to be allowed to do that, and in doing so find their place in the world. (Socially, intellectually, etc.) These tests will probably give these kids a negative view of schooling at a young age which also hurts their development and makes some have a negative attitude towards school at an early age. Having this attitude early on will un-doubtedly cause problems throughout the child's entire school career.
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