First all let me say, I am against standardize testing, and common core. I believe that these test are not design for children, when the material on the test is not what the teacher is teaching. For example, when common core started, children did not do well at all. One reason was because the material that was on the test was not the material that was being taught in the classroom. The teachers couldn't pass the test. When parents so what their children were being tested on; they couldn't pass the test. Then, they wanted to educate the parents after the test had been administered and the children didn't do well. Think about how many children have test anxiety. You know some children when they see a test, they automatically freeze. Does that mean that they don't know the material? "No!"
When I think about measuring a child's mind; I think about what should the child and what do I need to teach to make sure that the child is getting what they need and what they should know. I believe children learn more through hands on experience, which is a good way to measure what they know, especially dealing with young children. I will teach the basics; for example, when introducing the letters of the alphabet. I show the letter, introduce the letter and incorporate the letters in my centers. For example, we make the letter using playdough, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, and different art materials, which is done through art. I add the letters to my writing center, I use file folder games. I utilize songs, fingerplays, music, and rhymes to introduce the letter. Children are being measured, learning, getting hands on experience and playing at the same time. I am a firm believer that children learn by being creative.
When I assessed my student to see what they learn, I usually use cards, interactive technology games, I add letters, and asked them to simply pick up the letter that I asked for. This is a great way to see what that have learned when teaching young children. I believe teaching this way gives them opportunities to think out of the box, and be creative.
Finland
Black &William,(1998) suggest that Finland's high scores on the PISA are due to a lack of high-stake testing. These students are not required to take a national standardized high-stake test until they transfer over to secondary school, and they only test if they decide to go to higher education. Finland states the purpose of their assessment is to improve learning. Their formative assessments is only used for the purpose of learning. Finland believe that the pressure of high-stake assessments will inhibit the development of formative assessment. Finland states the United States rely on testing their students, which in turn result in teaching tom the test. The children are given a normative assessment in the early part of their early learning to see if they have any disabilities. All children are placed inn the same classroom. They do not place children by their ability; they have a second teacher in the classroom to teach the children that are struggling. Finland focus only on learning, so they don't have extra curricula activities like sports, bands, football teams etc. They only have language, history, science , math, music, recess, and carpentry. Their assessment are also based around improving their instruction and learning.
My Comments
My concerns with all the testing here in the United States is that we are losing students and teachers. Parents are beginning to home school. I totally disagree with home schooling, because it takes a way socializing, learning new ways to learn, and meeting people. Children need to be able to interact with their peers. These test are stressing the students, parent, and teachers out. I wonder what is happening to our education system. I know where I live, which is Shreveport, La. we have lost teachers, and a lot of our schools have been closed. I believe teaching the old way works, without all the testing. I think we need to only incorporate the skills that are needed for our children to be ready for this global world!
Reference
Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). Assessment and classroom learning. Assessment in Education,
5(1), 7-74.
Hey Guadalupe,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your words of wisdom, you are a big sister to me. I am 26 years with two children and you inspire me to be like you and yo =u show how to appreciate when certain subjects you post are emotional, and you uplift me. I definitely agree with you when you say children should not be home school because it takes aways from socialinzg and learing new ways by meeting people. I feel unless my children are the Prince of England or Barak Obama children. They would either be in private or charter school because they can develop their own personalities, meet people and social. I tried to keep my son away from interacting with outher children and he turnt out not to be very social, until now. I see the importance of letting children interact with other children. I enjoy the beautiful hurt you have Guadalupe. Thank You!
Well, thank you little sister! Socialization skills are very important with children. I hate that you kept your baby away from other children. Socializing is fostering healthy development. I bet you, even though he is getting out now; I bet there are times where he face fear when interacting with their peers. I know as parents we try and protect our children from things, but we need to think about what is good for them. Do you think that you have hindered the child in any kind of way? Thank you little sis, and I will be waiting on your reply.
DeleteI don not believe in standard testing nor common core. Children learn best through interactions with other students and their parents and caregivers, Some students are not good at taking test, but it does not mean that they do not know the materials. Teachers should be the one determining the progress of the students and not some standard test.
ReplyDeleteLarry, Thank you!! I love the way I learned in school. the United States always trying to compare our children with other countries! They get these bright ideas and don't think about the children and how it will hurt them. Larry, our education center is falling, and we are losing teacher and students behind these test. Think about this.... We go to college and get a degree in teaching; 4 years, and yet we have to pass test to teach. what I learned in school is not what's on the test. Then teachers go and try to get certified to teach in the schools. The teachers are missing the test by 3 and 4 points, because of the math, which is common core. Half of the teachers are not certified, but their students are exceling and they are getting fired, because they can't pass the test.
DeleteHello Guadalupe,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I believe that testing is the worst thing that they can do to children let alone they give the same to EC children who are no where near grade level. I had a child break down in the middle of the end of grade test and she to flip out all because she felt like she could not pass the test. So I to hate standardize testing. Great post.