Standardized Tests: In or out?

They are a good idea so long as only about a week every two years is consumed by them.

blackjack50 said:

It has been shown that standardized tests are not an effective measure of teachers. Especially ones given once a year that require the teacher to spend all their time on that test...rather than encouraging their students think outside the box and think critically.

Click to expand...

Tell that to the principal and school district, the people who set standards for and appraise teacher performance. Oh, and while you're at it, tell the state board of education too.

What makes you think teachers in a testing grade or content area teach to the test? They teach student learning expectations as determined by the state, which in some states may be common core.

blackjack50 said:

I find it odd that people who would normally be for decentralized government or LESS government want MORE government involved in education. They suck. And so do standardized tests.

Click to expand...

To whom are you referring?

blackjack50 said:

Giving them 4 times a year with no pressure on the students would be one thing, but they don't really account for a particularly bad class that a teacher gets, or the fact that maybe the teacher below is doing ok, but not preparing their students for the next level. So the teacher up a level has to spend all their time reviewing.

Click to expand...

Four times a year would place even more stress on students as well as teachers. Benchmarks shouldn't even be given that often. Twice a year maybe for benchmarks, but not four times.

blackjack50 said:

These are all very real complaints that are very logical once you read about education and educations psychology...And take a class called tests and measures that explains just how poorly constructed a standardized test is.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

So you have taken a tests and measurement class?

I think standardized tests are necessary. But that does not mean that the tests are good just because they are standardized.

psik

blackjack50 said:

Do you dislike the use of standardized tests? Do you feel they accurately represent the learning going in in the classrooms? Do you think we should alter the use? The subjects?

I am just curious how people feel about the topic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

In theory, standardized tests are a good thing. Yes, I said that. They can be used to fairly accurately judge some aspects of a student's educational abilities.

In practice, standardizes tests dominate public education to the point where it has become an outright liability. At the very least, public schools should not be required to spend any more than one week per year administering standardized tests. Anything more represents a loss of time from the very learning that tests, we are told, are supposed to measure.

blackjack50 said:

Do you dislike the use of standardized tests? Do you feel they accurately represent the learning going in in the classrooms? Do you think we should alter the use? The subjects?

I am just curious how people feel about the topic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Out. We were providing a better rounded education before the schools had to start teaching to a test verses an actual topic.