My opinion on the testing of school age children is that
children should be tested in real life situations. I believe the school
age children are given too many standardized tests. Children should be assessed
on whether they can perform and master certain tasks in real world situations.
As a teacher of older children I am often asked when or how can I use this in
my real life. I also hear students talking about certain classes that they are “forced”
to take to graduate that they feel they will never be able to use in the “real
world.” If a child is tested on whether they are able to go into a store and
make a purchase by giving the cashier the correct amount of money and knowing
how much change to expect I think we would be able to get an accurate assessment
as to whether the child has mastered that skill.
France
According to Educational Correspondent Sarah Cassidy (2008):
“French primary school education remains tightly focused on facts and basic
skills. Spot tests are common, especially dictations to check a child's
knowledge of French grammar and spelling. However, formal testing is relatively sparse. All children
are given a national test of basic skills and knowledge at about eight years
old. The test occurs – crucially – at the beginning of the third year of
primary school, not at the end. There is, therefore, little pressure on the
children. The main aim is to check the standard of the school.Otherwise, most primary schools have internal tests, or
contrôles, in math, French, geography and history, and English at the end of
each of the five short terms that make up a school year. A child who is
struggling can be asked to redoubler, or go down a year. A brilliant child can
sauter, or go up.
There is no national examination to move from primary to
secondary education, simply a recommendation by a council of teachers and
parents.”
References
Cassidy, C. (2008). Our children tested to destruction. The Independent.
Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/our-children-tested-to-destruction-779790.html
Hi Andrea I would imagine that older children would want to know how an assessment test would be applicable to them realistically, I would probably wonder the same. I believe life experience is the best teacher in all things.As I was researching read that China's assessment test consist of subjects more on a commercial and industrial level which I think is totally different from the way I remember our standardized test are administered. Thanks for your input.
ReplyDeleteI agree that children should be tested on basic experiences that they will use in every day life. I am now learning that some test are created to push children to challenge themselves to think bigger. I've learned from old documentary's about pass standardized test that were given to children in different neighborhoods. Some questions on the test children in poverty did not understand because it was something they never experienced. However, children that were not living in poverty was given the same test, scored higher points on the test. Standardized are good, but the questions should reflect the child's experience or what they are being taught in school to know for the future.
ReplyDeleteAndrea,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great example about buying something and knowing how much change to get back. I worked with kids that could not add o subtract and they were in high school getting ready to take the Nevada Proficiency exam with little to no hope of passing. It was pretty sad. Another skill to test math skills might be to balance a check book. Pretty real life stuff and important.
Thanks,
Danielle