The Whole Child
Even though I see the flaws in standard testing I do believe
that it is a necessary evil. I believe that if educators, parents and
administration are able to keep in mind that the results are not perfect but a
guide of the typical knowledge of the children it would be helpful. Just as
with medical testing for example, we need a place to start, a range of typical
numbers that will indicate if there is a problem or not. For me, I compare
standard testing to the developmental guidelines that we use for children; it
should be used as a guideline in conjunction with many other factors and each
child viewed as an individual.
In Italy they have moved away from a number scale testing and
each teacher gives a written observation of the students abilities at the end
of the year and the board decides whether they move on or not. Personally I
think assessments should be designed to accommodate all of the multiple intelligences.
I feel that we would have a truer insight on what children really understand. I
have included a link to a multiple intelligence quiz that will help a person
determine which of the intelligences are their strongest (Assessment).
Assessments: You’re your Strengths,
Retrieved from:
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting that website, which I will use for my 12 year old daughter. She recently had to go to summer school for English-Language Arts. She consistently scored low on the standardized tests for New York. This summer I decided to have her tested. She is not a reader, so that is part of the problem when it comes to vocabulary. After testing was done, it was discovered that yes in the 7th grade she does have a learning disability. She is now given extra time on standardized tests and more time to do the tests. I'm glad that as a parent I finally realized that maybe she needs help even when the teachers never suggested assistance. Thanks for your post!
I love your blog! I believe assessing young children is a unique process to help us understand the learning disabilities if any at the same time be able to implement a plan to help learning. It’s the professional job to create a curriculum that gives each child learning opportunities.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, Thank you for your blog. When i was in the fifith grade I was held back because of an assessment and a standarized test. My teacher did not feel that i had a problem. I went from the seventh grade to the ninth grade. Who knows the child the best the teacher or the test. I agree with the testing in Italy. Moving away from the number scaling testing.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank you for your contribution to me as we are on this journey to recieving our masters degree in early childhood. I wish the best in all you set out to accompolish. Would very much like to stay in touch. My email address is dgw9897@gmail.com. If you are continuing on I am in hope that we are in the same group again. Sincerely Deborah Wright (Class EDU 6160-2)