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Emma Taylor has been in touch to remind us about this published article below.
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| Photo: AccreditedOnlineColleges.org |
First things first, understand that this article does not call for standardized tests' total obliteration. Clinging to a hardlined, black-and-white perspective in an obvious shade of grey accomplishes nothing. Such exams boast some advantages, like offering a quick glimpse assessing academic strengths and weaknesses. At the professional level, they ensure takers possess the skills necessary for integral, delicate social services, such as law, medicine and construction. So the concept of standardized testing shouldn't be completely dismissed as inherently biased and divisive. It's merely a tool, which can be wielded in positive and constructive or negative and destructive manners based on the users' abilities, resources and intents.
But if policymakers, institutions and educators want to keep using standardized tests in the alleged service of elementary, middle school, secondary and tertiary students, considerable reform needs implementing, immediately. The standardized testing system's current incarnation raises far more eyebrows and ire than bright-eyed, bushy-tailed pillars of future progress. Research reveals some of the damages done thus far, so citizens — children, parents, educators, administrators, and what few politicians actually care — must read, comprehend, discuss and eventually demand and tailor important changes around. Either de-emphasize their importance and analyze student and teacher success through a wider, far more accommodating lens, or allow them to remain the cornerstone after jettisoning the biases and restrictions wreaking more harm than good. As everything stands now, though, most exams just aren't making the grade.
Many thanks to Emma.
Enjoy your reading!
Enjoy your reading!
Source: AccreditedOnlineColleges.org
