My purpose here is not to throw out testing entirely, but to curb it and make it more effective.
My purpose here is not to villify those who believe in our current paradigm of high stakes, multiple choice, superficial standardized testing, but to change minds and create an accord.
My purpose is to look at the aforementioned combination of words: high stakes + superficial / multiple choice + standardized = we have a problem.
My purpose here is not to transform our schools into environments where there is no evaluation, no grading – I think evaluation is necessary for teaching. But I think that evaluation needs to measure the progress along a line toward the actual desired product – students who can process information, take initiative, and innovate.
Tags: Blog, child development, children, Education, problem solving, public schools, social ills