The typical method of measuring children’s
intelligence and potential in elementary school today is standardized testing. Tests like the WCAP (Washington Comprehensive
Assessment Program) and MSP (Measure of Student Progress) are used in my
community. While I agree with the idea
that assessment needs to happen in the designated educational areas that these
tests hit, I believe that the tests alone do not give you an accurate picture
of the child’s intelligence. When
assessing children for development I believe it is important to see the whole
child. I also think that the typical
areas of development that are assessed should include social/emotional,
cognitive, motor and creative. There are
several examples of individuals who have book smarts but not social smarts and
visa versa. Life does not offer very
many opportunities to be successful by being really good at only one area. Since the foundational purpose for education
is to prepare children for their future, I think we need to not only focus on
the areas outside the three R’s but assess them as well. It is only once we find a deficiency that we can
help to fill it. With out assessing
things like social and emotional development we may not be able to see what a
child really needs. To truly see the
whole child and assess them in multiple areas I think that we need more than
just a standardized testing system. A
series of informal tests that happen in the child’s natural environment can
lend more insight into the progress a child is making. Keeping a portfolio of the children’s work, informal
observations, and photographs can all demonstrate growth over time.
My husband’s family is from Oahu and
since the Hawaiian people and culture have frequently been portrayed as more laid
back so I was interested in looking into their testing system. What I found was that the state has a very similar
system to my state. Testing is done on a
regular schedule and the tests are focused on the areas of reading, mathematics
and science. The tests are administered using
the on-line system set up by the American Institutes for Research.
I agree it is a shame that we aren't assessing the whole child in order to really see what they are capable of and what they need. You are absolutely right that there is such a variety of areas in this world to be successful, passing a standardized test does not give us the whole story....
ReplyDeleteI love the point that you made about the foundational purpose of education is to prepare children for their future. We need to consider that and take it into account when we use these standardized testing as a mean for the child's academic success!
ReplyDeleteIn order to gain a full understanding of how a child’s learn and what we, as educators, can do to improve a child’s learning, we first need to gain an understanding of assessments and what their purpose and function is intended for and how to effectively implement those characteristics. Undoubtedly, assessments should be sensitive to the child's holistic development.
ReplyDeleteAssessments in the 70's were dominant. A child's success was just evaluated from the scores of the assessment. Class ranking was admiring. However, those children are now the adults, and they realize how those scores do not represent a child as a whole. In the working place, the social emotional capabilities play more important role in the success of a person, just as what you also agree.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your insight these past weeks, I feel fortunate to be part of a cohort that is able to share personal experiences and information as we learn; I have always felt that we learn so much more through others in addition to traditional education. Thank you for enriching this class!
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