Standardized Testing

This specific assignment calls for a blog about standardized testing in my home which of course is Washington. We are supposed to discuss the implications that standardized testing has in my area. It was difficult to find information so I thought I would take this assignment into a different direction. Isn't that the point of this assignment? To discuss how these high stake assessments are damaging our educational system by taking away the freedom of learning. At least that is what it seems like from my personal experience.

I always seemed to feel inadequate in high school. I was terrible at math and tests sometimes stressed me out, especially when I was getting ready for the WASL. I never did very well, my test scores and attitude showed that. However the material was rarely taught to improve my knowledge so that I had received a deeper understanding, it always just felt like a chore for the teacher. As far as I know there are implications for schools who do poorly. That means funding cuts, lay off of teachers, and other implications for the institutions. For the students there is one clear implication, not graduating because of "inadequacy".

In recent years it seems that Washington state has changed its WASL format, the new term is exit exam. A shiny new term for the exact same test. The OSPI calls it the High School Proficiency Exams. I refer to it as the lacking of creativity exams for our youth. I don't know exactly what they do in other schools, however I know nation wide these tests are similar because of No Child Left Behind enacted by President Bush in order to increase the educational system in America. On the surface it was a solid idea, a standard to make America one of the leaders of the educational system once more. However it doesn't take into account students like myself who need groups discussions, projects, informal tests to succeed.

I am upset because I know it is the rambling of an upset underachiever who finally understands why he was labeled that in high school. I implore you to take this as a plea from the non conventional student that standardized testing does not work for everyone. The implications that are put on schools and students don't foster education, they instill fear. I think tests are a great way to determine knowledge, but let the students do short answer questions so they can explain what they think. Let them draw or do something creative. Standard tests are the lazy way of judging knowledge, and it is not improving our countries ability to learn.