The state government is using more than $400 million in taxpayer money to pay a company called Pearson Education to develop these standardized tests. I agree with all things said by the author of this editorial, Edy Chamness. This local contributor, mother of a third grade son and former teacher makes some very clear and well thought out points on the flaws of this situation.
First, Chamness argues that "after spending millions of dollars on testing, there isn't any money left for classroom instruction". Chamness is right on point when she says this. Our taxpayer money is going to the creators of these standardized tests rather than to the actual education needed to teach these children in order to even pass the TAKS or STAAR tests. It doesn't make much sense, does it?
Chamness goes on further to discuss how Texas teachers are having to "interrupt hands-on, quality instructional time to 'teach the test'. Rather than being taught educational and informative material from a textbook or curriculum that will be more beneficial for later use such as college, the schoolteachers are basically teaching off the test. The teachers learn what the students need to know for the test and teach that only.
Not only is the STAAR test disadvantageous to students academic knowledge, it is also proven to be an instigator boredom, test anxiety and depression. These tests have also been proven to damage their curiosity and desire to learn. STAAR tests narrows the teachable curriculum and wastes valuable education time, as well.
In response to these tests, something called "Texas Parents Opt Out" has formed. The Texas Parents Opt Out organization is more adamant about authentic, hands-on, experiential learning. The TPOO organization believes, and rightly so, that this type of learning helps make the instructional material that is taught more meaningful and relevant.
The STAAR tests are mainly focused on reading and mathematics. The TPOO feels that the other subjects should be focused on or emphasized just as much as the math and reading. These subjects include foreign languages, physical education, social studies, art, science, and music. The "hands-on, experiential learning" and "discovery-based" approach to concepts includes portfolios, projects, and experiments.
The TPOO lets parents know that they are able to opt their children out of these tests via Chapter 26 of the Texas Education Code. This chapter "gives parents the right to remove their child from any activity that the parent believes is immoral".
This chapter gives parents the right to choose whether or not they would like their child to participate in the new standardized testing or not.
In my fellow classmates blog, land of the free Home of the Brave “To Take the Staar Test or Not”. Analisa has made some very good points about the pressure teacher’s face when preparing students to take this new test. Being a mother of a 3rd grader I have witnessed firsthand the desire for each student to pass this test months ago. My son brings home practice test every week for homework and says they take more in class practice test. I feel there is too much pressure on teachers and students to pass that all other subjects are put aside or taught to fast that the students don’t pick up on other various subjects. . Although my son is only in 3rd grade high school students face more pressure with the concern that the test accounts for 15% of their grade and affects grade point average and rank. Pass and failure rates affect how each school will get funding and academic recognition in their district and even kids going to summer school. State government should use more money on hiring back teachers that were laid off instead of having larger class sizes to help teach students. The week of April 24-27 will be elementary testing and I hope the government will step in when they see the results.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Students-teachers-cram-for-debut-of-STAAR-testing-3432800.php
http://www.roundrockisd.org/index.aspx?page=3870
After reading my classmate's blog post about the STAAR exams, I have a few disagreements with her argument. As a recent high school graduate, the experience of taking the TAKS test is fairly fresh on my mind, and though it isn't a fun or personally beneficial thing for me to partake in, I can respect its importance. Sure, when you get in to testing season, teachers do take time out of class to prepare for the tests, but that doesn't make that time a waste. They take the time to review important, fundamental topics we may have forgotten or never covered, which I don't think is a bad thing. And how else are the government and school boards going to be able to assess the effectiveness of the education the schools are providing? Sure, you could look at the kind of grades students are getting, but that is very inconsistent, as different types of schools in different regions have different standards. Even something one teacher thinks should receive an A will get you a C by another. There needs to be some kind of standard that all students should be upheld to, and if they aren't reaching it, that's something that needs to be discovered. And as far as saying the standardized tests don't prepare you for college, what about the SAT'S? Imagine that being the first standardized test you take. And yes, it is a stressful and "depressing" thing to have to do, but can you really say college doesn't get stressful and depressing, too? Opting out of letting your child take the test really doesn't solve any problem, and I think calling a standardized test immoral is just giving children an excuse to be lazy.
ReplyDelete"And as far as saying the standardized tests don't prepare you for college, what about the SAT'S? Imagine that being the first standardized test you take."
ReplyDelete-- I find this to be very offensive. What about those of us who were homeschooled?
I personally was homeschooled and the SAT was my "FIRST STANDARDIZED TEST I TOOK". Are you saying that I wasn't prepared for college because I didn't take the TAKS or STAAR test?
I did not even take a class on "what answers to fill in the little bubbles".
It was all my HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION BRAIN FILLED KNOWLEDGE.
I also only took it once.
I also did just fine and even better than a lot of my friends.
so NO. i do not think that standardized tests are necessary or obligatory in public schools. i did not take any and i turned out just fine and am making straight A's through high school.