We were at a birthday party this weekend for our neighbor who turned three. Mia had a lot of fun in the bounce house and eating chips. While she was jumping away I overheard a conversation between three other moms (I didn't know them, but being that they all are of a certain socio-economic class, I assume them to be well educated) about public schools. Normally I don't write about such things, but could not resist. What caught my attention was this statement:
Mom: Instead of teaching what kids should learn, they teach what is on the test. I want my kids to learn what they need to know.
Hmm...did you ever consider that what is tested is what they should learn and what they need to know? Questions on the test include basic math and problem solving, reading comprehension questions, items that determine whether students understand parts of speech, etc. Aren't these skills you want your child to master? How do you expect him or her to get into college without being able to do well on a standardized test? Also, visit any public school classroom. The teachers are NOT having the kids bubble in little circles daily.
It's a classic case of parental and public ignorance about the dreaded "test". What is tested are the state standards. I'm a former public school teacher so I hate to see public schools bashed in this manner and I believe in the potential of all public schools. The standards give teachers goals to teach. The test is not simply a measure of a child, but the measure of whether a teacher and a school as a whole has taught all its students well. How are the teachers making sure that all students learn what they need to in order to be successful. The results are also useful in calling to attention the achievement gap between various groups of students. In part it's about accountability.
We hope to send Mia to public school when she reaches kindergarten age and I do want her to learn what is on the tests because what's on the tests are definitely skills she needs to learn in order to succeed in this world.
1 comment:
yea for public schoools! i went from k-12 all in public schools and i turned out just fine, or at least i like to think i did. :-)
but i agree with you on all the points - many people don't get testing in the first place, they think it's just a way the school system/district takes in money for every kid that takes the test. it's obviously much more than that.
i had to take the standardized tests all through my schooling and it is (to me) a good indicator as to what i learned and how well i grasped the material. it was obvious my language/verbal skills were off the charts while my math skills were...eh, not so good. it was an accurate reflection to how i was getting the material in my classes.
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