Reply to Study says standardized testing is overwhelming nation’s public schools

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]I'd be really curious to dig into the data to understand exactly what they're describing as standardized/mandated testing. For instance, the chart shows that the average number of mandated tests in kindergarten is 6. Sure, my child probably did around that last year, if you count every single reading and math assessment done at the beginning, middle and end of the year to find out where the child was starting from (essential for differentiated instruction, which everyone seems to love), and to confirm how he was progressing. They were barely a blip for him, and I can't imagine how a teacher could feasibly determine everyone's skill level at the beginning of the year, and then provide parents with concrete feedback on how their kids were doing at the end of the year, [b]without doing *something*[/b].[/quote]

The teachers are doing a lot of assessing constantly.  It doesn't take long before the teacher sees where the student is with reading and math even without these tests.   The tests cannot tell you the most important thing about your child, which is how your child attacks work (reasoning and motivation) and why he/she is not making progress.  This is what a teacher can see and understand by observing and working with your child.  The tests are very limited in their diagnostic capabilities and most time should be spent on actual real time diagnosis and help from the teacher(s).   Finally, the tests should never be considered high stakes or the ultimate arbiter of a student's capabilities.  Each student is a complex being.  [/quote]

PALS testing in kindergarten actually does break down reading into its building-blocks skills to see where a child is doing well, and where a child needs some help in order to progress in their reading. And it's not high-stakes, not is the ultimate arbiter of a student's capabilities.[/quote]

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