Chapter 14: Standardized Testing

by April

It seems that with all the potential problems of standardized testing, high-stake decisions shouldn't be based on the results of one test. We've been talking a lot about NCLB and the WASL in all of our classes. I understand that schools and teachers should be held accountable for doing their jobs well, but I can't say I agree with using tests to determine that. As our chapter mentioned, teaching to the test becomes easy and suddenly students are only learning basic skills that are tested.

I have also have great concerns that students' WASL scores determine graduation eligibility. I haven't seen any specifics, but I wonder if there are students who are doing fine overall in school but then can't pass the WASL. It's good that students are given multiple chances to pass the test but I still question it. It seems that it would be better for graduation to be based on a variety of assessments to get a broad view of the student's overall achievement.

Obviously, the WASL isn't going away anytime soon. I thought the Guidelines section on page 533 had a helpful tip in taking some of the pressure off students. It says that we should do we can to make students comfortable. I've been given these types of tests by a variety of personalities. I can think of people administering the test who were relaxed, wore a smile and even used some humor. I also remember people who seemed emotionless and strict. The pressure level in each of those situations is very different. As a teacher I hope to be relaxed when testing my students. Someone told me of a teacher who let the kids have a bowl of pretzels on their desk during the WASL. Maybe something like that would help take some of the pressure off.