Quote:
Originally Posted by UGAalum94
But doesn't think indicate more a screwed up response to testing, rather than the evil of testing itself? How about your school trusts you to teach the curriculum and a well-taught curriculum is measured in the test scores? How about within your school, you all know that not everyone gets kids with the same skill level coming in, so you judge each others results accordingly?
I agree that testing shouldn't be the only measure, and I especially think that results should focus on growth rather than absolute proficiency measures unrelated to where the kids came in.
But when schools do stuff just to game the results (here I don't mean cheating, but I mean the stuff you described like not tutoring some kids since their results are expected to change the school level outcome), that's not the fault of testing. It's the stupid way administrators take shortcuts rather than focusing on good teaching. It's a choice to go with what they perceive as easier rather than doing the right thing. The tests aren't to blame for that.
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Exactly. We've always had standardized tests. I took them in school. It's the way that they are being interpreted and used to change the curriculum by administrators that is the problem. The actual tests are not the problem. Tests can be an excellent tool but shouldn't be the only one. Nor should they only be used to pat the backs of proficient or advanced students/ teachers. A bad result is an area for improvement, not a sign to fire a teacher or dismantle a school.
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