Testing for Intelligence?

Considering a commitment to viewing young children holistically (i.e., a commitment to "the whole child"), what, if anything, do you believe should be measured or assessed? Explain your reasoning.

 I feel that effective assessment should measure the full range of student ability; social, emotional, and academic achievement. Through various measures, including portfolios, presentations, and tests, multiple learning styles are supported.  Standardize testing methods have their Pro’s and Con’s. In article by Derrick Meador, called Standardized Testing Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing here is the list of pros’ and cons he found:

Pros

1. Standardized testing holds teachers and schools accountable. Probably the greatest benefit of standardized testing is that teachers and schools are responsible for teaching students what they are required to know for these standardized tests. This is primarily because these scores become public record and teachers and schools who don’t perform up to par can come under intense scrutiny. This scrutiny can lead to the loss of job and in some cases a school can be closed or taken over by the state.

2. Standardized testing allows students located in various schools, districts, and even states to be compared. Without standardized testing this comparison would not be possible. Public school students in the state of Texas are all required to take the same state standardized tests. This means that a student in Amarillo can be compared to a student in Dallas. Being able to accurately compare data is invaluable and is a major reason that the Common Core State Standards have been adopted. These will allow for a more accurate comparison between states.

3. Standardized testing is typically accompanied by a set of established standards or instructional framework which provide teachers with guidance for what and when something needs to be taught. Without this structure a third grade teacher and a sixth grade teacher could be teaching the same content. Having this guidance also keeps students who move from one school district to another from being behind or ahead their new school.

4. Standardized tests are objective in nature. Classroom grades given by a teacher are at the very least minimally subjective in nature. Standardized tests are often scored by computers or at the very least scored by people who do not directly know the student. They are also developed by experts and each question undergoes an intense process to remove bias.

5. Standardized tests provide accurate comparisons between sub-groups. These sub-groups can include data on ethnicity, socioeconomic status, special needs, etc. This provides schools with data to develop programs and services directed at improving scores in these sub-groups.

Cons

1. Standardized testing evaluates a student’s performance on one particular day and does not take into account external factors. There are many people who simply do not perform well on tests. Many of these students are smart and understand the content, but it doesn’t show on the test. Many students also develop test anxiety which hinders performance. Finally, there are so many external factors that play into test performance. If a student has an argument with their parents the morning of the test, chances are their focus isn’t going to be where it should be.

2. Standardized testing causes many teachers to only “teach to the tests”. This practice can hinder a student’s overall learning potential. With the stakes getting higher and higher for teachers, this practice will only continue to increase.

3. Standardized testing only evaluates the individual performance of the student instead of the overall growth of that student over the course of the year. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) only focuses on whether a student is proficient at the time of testing

4. Standardized testing can create a lot of stress on both educators and students. Excellent teachers quit the profession every day because of how much stress is on them to prepare students to perform on standardized tests.

5. Standardized testing can be wrongfully used as fuel for those with political agendas. This is a sad reality far too often across all levels of the political realm.

I do feel there should be some type of testing to make sure children are ready for the world when leaving school.  I had a friend who made it out of high school without being able to read.  I to this day cannot understand how a child can make to the 12th grade and receive a diploma and not be able to read.  I blame the school because somehow this was greatly missed.  I don’t feel standardized testing will solve all our problems with the educational system but it is a start.  We must look at the pros and cons and fix the cons and improve the pros.  I don’t feel everyone will ever agree there will always be issue with testing but there has to be some way to hold schools and educators accountable. 

In what ways are school-age children assessed in other parts of the world

In China they have a skilled assessment system.  I found a study that broke down this system.  The Chinese’s schools system is broke down into three stages; Primary schooling children over 6 year’s old lasting for 6 to 7 years; Secondary schooling this schooling last 3-4 years.  In both primary and secondary schooling there is no testing required to enter.  Senior Education last 3 years and Senior high schools select the junior high school graduates based on the examinations organized by local educational administrative departments.  Each schooling has term and year end testing for the students.  Each schooling also had graduation examinations as well. 

What additional ideas, comments, suggestions, examples, and/or concerns related to assessing young children would you like to share with your colleagues?

Parents also have to be involved in their child’s education.  We can’t only put blame on the system parents as well need to be held accountable for their child’s education.  The problem with that is you may a parent you didn’t complete their education and just my not simply understand what their child is missing out on or needs help with.  So we must help educate the parents as well. 

Holistic education is working the “whole child”.  The parents, considering their environment, the economic status, and so on.  In the time we are in today you can’t just look at the formal part of education what the whole aspect of the child. 

 

References

Zhang, Juwei . "China’s Skill Assessment System." Institute of Population and Labor Economics Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Revised (2004): 25. China’s Skill Assessment System. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EDUCATION/Resources/278200-1126210664195/1636971-1126210694253/China_Skills_Assessment.pdf

Meador, Derrick. "Standardized Testing." About.com Teaching. About.com Teaching , n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. http://teaching.about.com/od/assess/a/Standardized-Testing.htm.