Michelle Boulet - Blog 5

    A quote from this chapter in the textbook that baffled me was the idea that “teachers may feel that students should learn how to assimilate into their classrooms” (148). Any teacher who feels this way has no idea how children work. Children are unique, they learn in different ways, they care in different ways, and by expecting students to fit into the teacher’s mold of an ideal student you take away that individuality. A teacher that believes this, would also believe that standardized testing is a good way to assess students. Advocates of standardized testing believe that “the results of such tests can arguably point to the most effective teaching practices” (142). Personally, I do not think such a thing exists. Some teaching practices might be more effective than others, but you can never argue that one is the best. In a world where no two learners are the same, how can you argue that one particular teaching method would consistently produce the same results.
    On top of the academic problems with standardized testing, I believe there are many outside factors that affect results, such as ESL students, students with learning disabilities, school resources, but the most important aspect that standardized testing ignores is the character building that happens in a classroom. I feel that a main part of schooling is to help children become who they will be in the future. School teaches social skills, life skills, and many others that are outside the curriculum. One school even “refocused its efforts toward creating a ‘character education” curriculum that is oriented toward educating the ‘heart as well as the mind…it means preparing students to be citizens who have empathy and respect for others within our increasingly diverse communities” (153-4). Students do not go to school solely for academic progress, but in order to learn the skills necessary to succeed in everyday life.

Discussion Question: Do you agree or disagree with standardized testing? If you disagree, do you think there is a better way to assess curriculum coverage?