I just completed a reading assignment for a class and it was in regard to standardized testing. The question posed to us was do we think standardized testing is a good or bad thing. After watching a video with Dan Koretz ( Standardized Testing: What’s Wrong. (2017, November 2). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com /watch?time_continue=1579&v=t4g7-NCtrl) check it out on youtube!) I have to wonder if the tests even make sense. According the the video, teachers generally end up teaching to the test or only teaching what parts of the curriculum will be on the test. One teacher even went so far as giving color coded candies to match the correct answers for the test.
I don’t know that standardized tests, the way they are given now are very helpful. I personally feel that maybe if the tests were given in the beginning of the year it could help teachers learn where the students are at, where they need help and what they are excelling at. Also, by having tests mid year it disrupts the entire schedule a teacher has worked half the year to create. We are experiencing this now in my class with our “Access” testing for our EL students. For the past two weeks they have been doing testing and now our schedule is a mess. They don’t have reading or math groups and the change in their routine causes some behavior problems.
I think these standardized tests should be done earlier in the school year, not just as an assessment tool for the teachers to create lesson plans but also to allow students to stay on their normal routine during the year and provide a consistent work routine for them.
What are your thoughts? I would love to hear from you!
Ms. Brenda teaches 