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:
I completely agree with what you said. I see it all the time with my little first graders. If they do not like the material being learned or if they do not remember how to answer the question, they begin to guess. Even on their standardized test that they have to take with no help, it is about an hour long on the computer and even though the questions are read to them, if they do not know the answer they guess. But when they know it, they enjoy it, they do great.
ReplyDeleteI agree Latasha, this is one of my concerns too. No one can messure a child's worth by standardized testing. I too have seen children rush through testing in order to not be the last one, and they will begin to mark anything down. I was one of those children, I remember this type of atmosphere well. There is an unexplainable embarrasment about being the last one in a test, so I know all too well about this area. you also mentioned about children and home work, and I can't help but think about the children who do not have adequate help at home. I too researched the British way of assessment, but what I read did not say that they studied for three weeks straight, thank you for that I will look at more.
ReplyDeleteLatasha, I agree with yo. I do not belive a child should be measufed by a test.Some chidlren are not great test takers. I feel the child's overall performance should be graded.
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