Standardized tests. I have never been a big fan of standardized tests. I was always smart and a good student and near the top of my class. However, I did not do well on standardized tests. I am not a good test taker and even worse standardized test taker. In elementary school, I remember my mom getting my standardized test results and not understanding how I could do so wel in school then only do okay on a standardized test.
I do understand standardized tests are state mandated but personally I just do not care for them.
After watching the videos Dr. Luongo posted for us and talking to a teacher I know(who does special education) I now how even stronger feelings about NCLB Act. How can someone(or the state) expect students to mature at the same exact rate? Does every child learn to walk by age 1? Does every child learn to use the potty at the same age? No. So then why should we expect every student to be at the same milestone at a specific point?
The teacher that I know(who teaches special education) told me how she has had to watch (in the past) her students struggle through the standardized tests because at one point, the teacher could not even read the question to the student. Her students would become so frustrated that it would worsen the situation and negatively effect that students test results more.
Personally, I feel as though standardized tests are not a fair evaluation of students and that the NCLB Act is absurb for thinking that every students mind, body and brain mature at the same rate.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Report Cards
Some people may argue that report cards are an unfair evaluation of students, however I disagree and feel as though report cards are a necessisty.
Personally, I've had good and bad experiences with report cards. All throughout grammar school I could not wait for report cards to be sent home. I knew my mom would be proud of how well I was doing in school and be completely satisfied with meeting my teacher at parent-teacher conferences. However, when I reached middle school my feelings towards report cards changed. In 6th grade I had a language arts teacher who for some reason did not like me(personally). My first report card in 6th grade I got a "C+" in language arts and was completely surprised(not to mention in trouble with my parents). When my mom questioned me about it I simply said "I honestly thought I did better." And so, ofcourse my mothers response was, "well where is all your tests? If you have those then we can see how well you did." Being a 6th, I did not have all my test(at least anywhere I knew of). And so my mother had to meet with my teacher and my teacher did not tell my mother the truth saying I didn't participate, do homework, well on tests and what not.(Something nothing like me).
When my parents got home I was grounded. (For the first time). The next marking period was the worst and longest marking period ever. Buttttt, I did keep all my homeworks, tests and assignments. Next report card, another "C+" My mother again questions me, and I simply said "I know I did better." She asks me for my tests and classwork, I give it to her, and she figures my grade to be a whole grade higher, a B+!! So she talks to my father on how to address the situation. Finally, they had a meeting with the principal and teacher. The teacher could not explain why my grade was dropped a whole grade(being thats a lot to drop just for partcipation and such). Anyway, the outcome- my grade was changed to the grade I deserved, a B+.
However, that experience made me have a sour taste about report cards. How can a teacher be so unfair? Although I did have this "bad" experience with report cards and a teacher I still believe report cards are necessary. I believe report cards can help motivate students because I know when I was in grammar school and if I got a B, I always wanted to do better to get an A next time. I understand every student is different and that some may think report cards can be discouraging. Regardless, I think they're important and positive for the student, teacher AND the sometimes clueless parents.
Personally, I've had good and bad experiences with report cards. All throughout grammar school I could not wait for report cards to be sent home. I knew my mom would be proud of how well I was doing in school and be completely satisfied with meeting my teacher at parent-teacher conferences. However, when I reached middle school my feelings towards report cards changed. In 6th grade I had a language arts teacher who for some reason did not like me(personally). My first report card in 6th grade I got a "C+" in language arts and was completely surprised(not to mention in trouble with my parents). When my mom questioned me about it I simply said "I honestly thought I did better." And so, ofcourse my mothers response was, "well where is all your tests? If you have those then we can see how well you did." Being a 6th, I did not have all my test(at least anywhere I knew of). And so my mother had to meet with my teacher and my teacher did not tell my mother the truth saying I didn't participate, do homework, well on tests and what not.(Something nothing like me).
When my parents got home I was grounded. (For the first time). The next marking period was the worst and longest marking period ever. Buttttt, I did keep all my homeworks, tests and assignments. Next report card, another "C+" My mother again questions me, and I simply said "I know I did better." She asks me for my tests and classwork, I give it to her, and she figures my grade to be a whole grade higher, a B+!! So she talks to my father on how to address the situation. Finally, they had a meeting with the principal and teacher. The teacher could not explain why my grade was dropped a whole grade(being thats a lot to drop just for partcipation and such). Anyway, the outcome- my grade was changed to the grade I deserved, a B+.
However, that experience made me have a sour taste about report cards. How can a teacher be so unfair? Although I did have this "bad" experience with report cards and a teacher I still believe report cards are necessary. I believe report cards can help motivate students because I know when I was in grammar school and if I got a B, I always wanted to do better to get an A next time. I understand every student is different and that some may think report cards can be discouraging. Regardless, I think they're important and positive for the student, teacher AND the sometimes clueless parents.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Mulitple Choice and Essay Tests
Ahh, tests. A touchy subject. There are many types of tests but out of multiple choice and essay, I prefer essay. I feel as though if a student is giving a blank piece of paper to answer a speific question, they will be better able to demonstrate their understanding of the topic. When you are giving multiple choice questions, the sudent can (1) guess, (2) get confused and (3) not fully show how much knowledge they know about the question.
I think multiple choice questions are good in certain circumstances. For example, some language art tests such as one word answer questions (synonyms, etc.). If a question is more then a few words, I feel as though essay format tests are the better choice.
However, even though I prefer essay tests, I realize that you cannot always give the same formatted test. In my classroom, I will use both multiple choice and essay tests. The main reason being that on a multiple choice test, if the student choices the wrong answer it is completely wrong and they recieve no credit(even if they knew something about the topic). Yet, on essay tests, you can assess the student based on everything the wrote down(which should show all or almost all of what they know on that topic). Altogether I think a teacher needs to realize when it is appropriate to use a multiple choice or essay test.
I think multiple choice questions are good in certain circumstances. For example, some language art tests such as one word answer questions (synonyms, etc.). If a question is more then a few words, I feel as though essay format tests are the better choice.
However, even though I prefer essay tests, I realize that you cannot always give the same formatted test. In my classroom, I will use both multiple choice and essay tests. The main reason being that on a multiple choice test, if the student choices the wrong answer it is completely wrong and they recieve no credit(even if they knew something about the topic). Yet, on essay tests, you can assess the student based on everything the wrote down(which should show all or almost all of what they know on that topic). Altogether I think a teacher needs to realize when it is appropriate to use a multiple choice or essay test.
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