I have never ever liked standardized tests. I will be the first to admit I did mediocre on the SAT’s and barely got through the standardized tests throughout elementary and secondary school. I do not have a learning disability or lack the knowledge to succeed. I was just (and still am) not very good at taking a test that measures one little specific item. I feel it is too much pressure. What if it is a subject that is not my strong point? What if I have learned and can only express the knowledge obtained in a manner that is not traditional? Does that mean I know nothing because I cannot seem to do well on a test? Please do not misunderstand my comments. I do understand the need for measuring and assessing knowledge. I just do not necessarily agree with the way we perform these tasks. I am a strong believer in Multiple Intelligence. Not one of us learns the same exact way. Why should we be assessing the same exact way for every child? On another side note, there are thousands of schools out there “teaching to the test”. It is not benefiting the children…in fact I feel it often hurts them.
We should take a look at the whole child. What are their strengths? How can we use those strengths to build on knowledge or improve the weaknesses? Early childhood education tends to be tailored to each individual child. When we are measuring and assessing, in terms of knowledge, we should take into consideration what is best for the child. I do believe we need to progress monitor and record our observations. I even agree that we need to monitor subjects such as math and language. But I also feel we should look at music, art, history, physical education and any other form of learning that can be stemmed together. I, personally, learned a great deal of math through music however, when I was tested they never asked me math questions in the form of music or even related math to another subject. It was confusing for me at times. Holistically speaking, everything about the child needs to be assessed…physically, socially, cognitively, emotionally.
In Ireland it seems as though the assessment process in school aged children is still progressing according to a report given in 2001. Assessments and standardized testing was at first only given at the discretion of the teacher. Now the Department of Education and Science has move towards obligating teachers to do these assessments and standardized testing on a regular basis. They are also now required to report the outcome to the child’s parents. Through what I read it seems as though teachers did not have much of an obligation to speak to parents about their child’s progress. It also was not until 2000 where Ireland implemented a regular attendance policy for school aged children ages 6-16. In Ireland, they are also just recently starting to focus on the development on quality early childhood programs. It seems so different in contrast to the United States because we focus so much on assessments. It certainly is laid back.
Resources:
Education Provision in Ireland2001
http://www.ibe.unesco.org/International/ICE/natrap/Ireland.pdf
