What are your views on Standardized testing in School?

[Crazyeighties]

I am interested in learning your views on standardized testing in schools? Colorado has the TCAP (formally CSAP) in witch the better the school scores the more money they get for the next school year. This seems backwards to me, and is why I am against Colorado's system (it's been a while since I have been in school and I am not sure if a school does poor on the test they get less funding or shut down)

 

So what do you think of these tests?

[Eutyphro]

Education is creative and free. This is the opposite of education. It is training in reproduction and stupidity. But the government likes its citizens to be stupid and obedient, so it serves a purpose for power.

[gnad.1992]

I'm not in the us so my opinion is meaningless

[I<3GTAV]

From a student's standpoint, they seem like a waste of effort, time, and stress. The teacher's always pressure us, and say "do well or else you won't ever succeed in life". Okay, maybe that's a little exaggerated, but they're still practically saying the same thing. This is the 21st century, an era where creativity is valued in the work force. Standardized testing is teaching us the exact opposite. Sure, a little bit of testing here and there is good, to see where the students are at and where they need help. But what they give us is a little too much.

[DJ Arrt]

Standard Testing is a joke for the most part.

 

Both the schools and the state handles it wrongly. Just try to improve the schools themselves and stop trying to cover your own asses.

 

And the schools are handling it wrongly also. Instead of saying "Hey we need you to do well on this test, so study and try to do well" actually try to teach the kids. Also (at my school at least) they try to introduce "positive" incentives which isn't worth it at all (A star with your name on it on the main hallway wall for about a week, and school currency) and NO ONE takes is seriously anymore. If they want to get the scores up, make the kids who get Below or Far Below Profiencincy take an extra class the next year instead of an elective and offer cool prizes for the kids who do well, and we wouldn't be in the mess we're in.

 

(Or you know stop state testing all together since it's a bit redundtant.)

[ryan_J]

I'll leave this here for anyone interested in the topic, the college he is performing this outside of is just a few minutes drive from where I live and I think its more relevant now than ever.

 

 

Edited March 28, 2014 by ryan_J