Standardized Testing In Early Education

Discussion Post- Chapter 7- High stakes testing Claim: High stakes testing is an extremely problematic political issue within the education system because it holds all students to the same standards regardless of disabilities or disadvantages , it encourages educators to teach strictly on information that relates to the tests, and it can have major consequences for schools across the country that are unable to make Adequete Yearly Progress (AYP). Evidence: The Learning to Teach Edition Nine textbook outlines key disadvantages to high stakes testing. Although the textbook does consider some of the advantages, which include a focus of attention on the achievement of students and providing information on areas where students may need to improve,

1,2: For my issue, I plan on addressing the controversy of standardized testing. I believe there would be differing opinions in the audience, some supporting and disagreeing with the topic. Most, if not all students have taken some form of standardized testing, thus, establishing a wide variety of viewpoints. While some believe this form of testing accurately measures a student’s achievement, others think it is an unreliable measure of a student’s performance. 3

It has been shown that play is very important to a childâ€TMs learning. Learning through play helps a child make positive contribution.

Meredith Broussard explains how standardized testing does not prove a child’s general knowledge nor creative in-depth thinking by stating, “Standardized tests are not based on general knowledge... they are based on specific knowledge contained in specific sets of books: the textbooks created by the test makers” (Broussard). Miner also states that standardized testing, “... leads to a dumbed-down curriculum that values rote memorization over in-depth thinking, exacerbates inequities for low-income students and students of color, and undermines true accountability among schools, parents, and community” (Miner). The assessment of a child should encourage a child to want to learn for the sake of learning. Alternative assessments could address a child’s development and learning process. These evaluations can determine why children are more likely to read behind grade level, instead of highlighting their inabilities.

In recent years testing has been a huge component of public education in the United States. Students take year long classes and then are forced to take long exams based on what they have learned. The problem with this is that many of these classes don’t provide students with the tools that they need to function outside the classroom. It is true that some of these classes are necessary and need to be taught, however, this is not the case for all of them. Standardized testing needs to be re-evaluated and replaced with more beneficial ways of teaching students information.

Did you know that the multiple choice format used on standardized test doesn 't have any effect on a child 's learning ability. And yet, kids all over the United States are taking these tests yearly. For the past decade, the idea of standardized testing has been debated. The purpose of the testing is to help students learn concepts they can use as they get older and start to get serious jobs. But studies show that these tests have no effect on the children the way they were intended to work.

I agree that play-based learning offers diverse opportunities for children to explore, discover and create, they can also discover new things and communicate with peer during free-play time. Frobel said that “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child 's soul” (Froebel, 1887). He believed in the importance of play in a child’s learning as creative activity. Play provided the means for a child’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical development which are necessary elements in educating the “whole” children allowing them to use all imaginative powers and physical movements to explore their interests.

Phelps” (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org.). Furthermore “debates about standardized testing are wide-ranging, nuanced, and sometimes emotionally charged, many debates tend to be focused on the ways in which the tests are used, and whether they present reliable or unreliable evaluations of student learning, rather than on whether standardized testing is inherently good or bad” (Standardized Test Definition). In addition, “proponents say standardized tests are a fair and objective measure of student achievement, that they ensure teachers and schools are accountable to taxpayers, and that the most relevant constituents- parents and students- approve of testing” (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org.). However “most test developers and testing experts for example, caution against using standardized-test scores as an exclusive measure of educational performance, although many would also contend that test scores can be a valuable indicator of performance if used appropriately and judiciously” (Standardized Test Definition).

The state tried to force this child, Ethan, to take this test. In the meantime while Andrea was fighting the school system, Ethan Rediske passed away. It doesn’t have to be this way. Our children aren’t all dying of terrible diseases, but these standardized testing is killing our brothers and sisters creativity and passion for school instead. Standardized tests do not accurately measure what students know and what they can do, nor are they accurate predictors of future success

“Teachers often don’t have time to teach the content they should because standardized testing has changed the way instruction takes place in a classroom. Many teachers acknowledge that they ‘teach to the test’” (“The Tornadic Effect of Standardized Testing”). Teachers are spending too much time preparing students for standardized tests that they don’t get to teach the actual curriculum. Students begin to lack the educational skills they need because teachers have to set aside lessons to improve testing scores.

As a student who doesn 't test well, standardized testing is always a challenge. After research, it has been proven that standardized testing does not measure the ability to comprehend

Despite it being easy to list down various play activities, it is difficult to come up with a set definition for it although it is widely accepted that play should very much be free, unstructured and mostly child-initiated. The purpose of play and the supposed benefits the different types of play aids in the development of a child will be further discussed. Given that play is such an integral part of a child’s life, based on evolutionary perspectives, there has to be a reason why children engage in play and thus classical play theories attempt to explain the purpose of play.

In the article, “Do Standardized Tests Measure Education Quality?,” published by ViewSonic Library, an unknown author reveals that “Standardized testing is a practical and accurate way of evaluating what a student does or doesn’t know across important areas like math, reading, and writing.” Standardized testing presents an equitable approach to evaluating the state’s educational standards directly from the students, making it the leading approach. Furthermore, these scores are viewed by a student’s teacher to assess the effectiveness of their teaching methods. For example, if one sole class is behind, the underlying issue could be the learning procedures of that specific teacher. Additionally, if this happens to be the case, the teacher can learn from his or her mistakes and grow in their teaching abilities as well.

As a result, this can induce high levels of stress on some of the students, thus preventing them from executing the test to the best of their abilities.

In this essay I will discuss the purposes of play in learning and development in early childhood. I will also support my perspective with analysis of my observations of children’s play. Play in early childhood is vital in children developmental process as it contributes to the development of their cognitive development, social skills, emotional regulation and boosts their physical confidence. Play is how children begin to understand and process their world. Children's play unlocks their creativity and imagination, and develops reading, thinking, and problem solving skills as well as further develops motor skills.