Growing up I was in the lower-reading groups, I never did that well on test and I think this followed me for quite some time. I was dyslexic (and probably still am) but I was not tested for it until I was in third grade. I went to the same school k-8 and my grades followed me, I was put in the lower reading group at the beginning of the year and just did not reach my full potential. I thought of myself as not as smart as everyone else. Luckily for me I went to a new high school and had the chance to really learn and did much better in school. Standardized test were horrible for me, it was so much information in such a short amount of time.
I do not think all forms of assessment are bad, I feel like I had a bad situation. I believe that test taking and assessing students helps with their performance it gives them a reason to learn, not all children are self-motivated, some need a little extra push. I hated standardized test but I understand the reason for them. Now I do not agree with children having to take test to get accepted into public schools. In Hawaii some of the school require test for children to get into Kindergarten and I disagree with this. I think everyone deserves a chance to learn at whichever school they want to attend.
Assessments in the China:
Chinese schools study the same things as American schools do, they just focus more on homework and test taking. “(...) where their school blended a mostly Western elementary school curriculum with the emphasis on discipline and testing that typifies Asian educational styles. In Asia, such a march of tests for young children was regarded as normal, and not evil or particularly anxiety provoking” (Rosenthal, 2010). In China they focus more on the test results and less on the student.
I think our society needs to remember that we teach for the children and not for the test results.
Rosenthal, E. (2010) Testing, the Chinese Way. New York Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/weekinreview/12rosenthal.html.
Thanks Amy for sharing. Like you I did not well on test and even to this day dread the thought of any kind of them. As I now know, the results do not define who I am but more of how I learn, if the results are viewed/studied carefully. Your last statement is very true, and something we need to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDelete"I think our society needs to remember that we teach for the children and not for the test results." This is a great point, I totally agree with you.
We need to be able to assess children so we can understand what their needs are and where we as teachers need to take them next. Assessment shouldn't be used to compare children or to accept them in public schools or not, but to see where the student's weaknesses may be and what we can do to help them be successful. Thanks for sharing, great post.
Amy, I find that children have to take tests to get into even kindergarten very interesting!! I think that that starts off a child's career in education with a lot of pressure. However, not just pressure for them but for the whole family as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your story! It is amazing how many people can turn out with enough guidance and help through peers and teachers.
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