Are standardized testing enough to measure a child's intelligence?
That's a debatable question amongst professionals who are looking for many different ways to assess the whole child. Me personally, I do not think standardized testing is enough to determine just how intelligent a child is and what they have to offer academically. Firstly, pressuring a child to take a test that they have no interest is a failure that is ready to happen. They barely have the opportunity to ask any adults for help during the time of testing and is told to "do the best you can". For that reason and from my experience with testing, children will began marking any answers just to finish with that portion of the test. Naturally, children are not comfortable with sitting for a long period of time focusing on something that they feel has no value to them.
I think as professionals, if we are going to assess the whole of a child then we should do just that. For instance, I think measuring a child's health is a well-needed assessment. I say this because it is vital for a child to have a healthy lifestyle to fully function to their capacity. A healthy body makes for a healthy brain and if a child is ill or unhealthy, how are they able to perform as a whole? Also, homework assessments and discussions involving the entire class can be beneficial. With homework assessments, the children are allowed to take home certain materials to get help from their caregivers. This is the time a teacher will be able to notify what type of support does that child have at home. Discussion activities amongst children are helpful because they tend to perform better with their peers and do not feel pressured. The teacher will then see their intelligence flourish as they interact and engage in the many activities. Children aged 11 spend almost three weeks practicing and testing in their final year of primary school in England — while teachers waste five weeks preparing exams. It has been said that the long testing process has damaged the children pupils in this area and are currently looking for other ways to assess their children. The government however has rejected the findings and feel that a change is not needed.
As of now, I strongly believe that there should be different approaches when measuring the child as a whole. Not just mentally, but physically as well preparing a well-nourished body for better achievements.
Take a peep down low of the children enjoying eating healthy and staying active:
