A few weeks ago, my sister told me about an episode in her household
the night before. It seems as though my 8 yr. niece, who participates in the “gifted”
program in her school, had a complete and utter meltdown while studying for the
upcoming standardized tests. There was a math problem, fully 2 grade levels
above her 3rd grade that had her stumped. She struggled with it for 2 hours before finally breaking
down. My sister looked on helplessly as her daughter sobbed over her inability
to solve one problem. She was finally able to get her daughter to explain why
she was so upset. Her daughter replied “Because I need to know it for THE TEST! If I don’t pass THE TEST I will never get into a good
college!!!!! I remind you, she’s in 3rd
grade!
This is what we have done to our students. We have placed so much
pressure on them to pass “the test” that they suffer from extreme anxiety.
Experts, backed by research, tell us that children need to learn by PLAYING, by
DOING, by EXPERIENCING, and that using standardized testing is
counterproductive, but instead of phasing it out, we are adding even MORE
tests! At a time when quality education is desperately in short supply, talented
and experienced teachers are leaving the field in record numbers, leaving
educating to the inexperienced and the substandard.
Other countries, such as New Zealand, have realized that using uniform
standards of achievement for children is a mistake. Their curriculum emphasizes
each student’s unique needs, and encourages them to become lifelong learners.
I have heard the best description of our educational system come from
comedienne Wanda Sykes. She correctly stated that students cram information
into their brains long enough to pass the test, and then, just like shaking an
Etch-A-Sketch, the information is just gone. There is no comprehension, no
understanding, just facts to be regurgitated on a test paper, and forgotten immediately
afterwards. If this weren’t true, shows like “Are You Smarter Than A 5th
Grader?” would not succeed, because all of the contestants would indeed be
smarter than a 5th grader.
Hi Kathy
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the episode your niece was going through. My goddaughter had to take the "NWEA TEST" ( this test is an non - for - profit educational organization which, measures the child's academics and progress), and score high in MATH in order to graduate on time with her class this year. I'm very proud of her because, her score math score was at an Sophomore level. She stayed in tutoring after school for 5 days, and her school was even open on Saturday's for all children that were experiencing difficult in other subjects. I also, feel test do put anxiety, frustration and raises blood pressure not only for our children but adults as well.
I completely agree!!! I cannot TELL you how many parents I have talked to who agree as ell. As for blood pressure--how you SEEN the Common Core math??? I know people who have master's degrees in math and can't figure it out!
DeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteI ABSOLUTELY AGREE with your entire post! I COMPLETELY AGAINST standardized testing. These test don't take into consideration testing anxiety, culture gaps, or other factors. Among other reasons, standardized testing was one of the reasons why I removed my oldest daughter from the public school system and placed her in private school when she was 7. Currently, I am the Director and VPK Instructor for the center I work for and was totally blown away when I had to conduct quarterly VPK assessments on 4 year olds (that had to be recorded in a DOE database)! As adults, we learn through play, doing, and experiencing...why not allow the children the same freedom? "They" have truly subjected our children to an education that is all about "learning to test".
I have to record progress reports for my 4's and 5's as well. And I have to make the reports available to the school district the child will be attending the following year. It's madness!!! My daughter has been running ambulance calls since she was 16 (she's almost 27 now). She went to school to go from EMT to paramedic. She did extremely well in her classes, and passed the practical exam with flying colors. She suffers from test anxiety, and can't pass the written exam. It's insane! She's excellent at what she does, but can't be certified for the next level all because of that stupid test. She is even an instructor for EMT classes!!!
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