Social and Cultural Contexts of Assessments

“When test scores go up, we should worry, because of how poor a measure they are of what matters, and what you typically sacrifice in a desperate effort to raise scores.”

Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn- "The Case Against Tougher Standards"


Although this was a short reading, I had to read it a few times to retain Kohn's points and arguments because he had many.  I appreciate how Kohn, like Kliewer, called out so-called professionals at the beginning of the reading in relation to just who are the experts in education.  It seems like these "experts" use terms and catch phrases to vocalize what school reform should be such as "accountability" and do whatever is in their power to further change policies to ensure their vision be implemented in the classroom.  If most educators are reluctant and unhappy in teaching this way, it provides such a negative climate in schools.  I have witnessed seasoned teachers become very frustrated with having to "teach to the test".  I have heard a few say out loud that these tests have taken the imagination and creativity out of teaching.

 It is difficult to tell Democrats and Republicans apart because, professionally speaking, they fall into a role of politician above anything.  Unless this Democrat or Republican taught,  he/she does not have the proper, first-hand  knowledge to say what works for students and what doesn't.  Even I as a teacher often struggles with what works in the classroom and what doesn't.  There is constant reflection happening as to what changes can be made to help students learn. These tests insinuate a one-size fits all approach to teaching and learning.  It just isn't realistic. Clearly some students will have an advantage in these standardized tests while others are disadvantaged but as a whole, these tests are ineffective in assessing student knowledge that is meaningful and useful for the students.  

The Five Fatal Flaws piece was useful because it put the arguments of why standardized testing doesn't work into organized sections.  As I was reading them, I thought that they were all equally valid and individual pieces to the larger puzzle of what makes these tests such a bad idea.  I think most educators realize it gets motivation wrong and that the pedagogy consists of certain skills and as a result is often very dull and non-creative.  It was refreshing to see the words in print.  Even though I was at private schools for five years we still had standardized testing.  It didn't seem to be as important to a student's educational snap shot but nonetheless was still present.  The people at the top of the pyramid want high scores from tests that reflect a lot of meaningless information but fail to see how limited these tests truly are.


Below is a link to a very interesting video by Kohn in relation to rigorous, test oriented schooling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aviOJ9DVcyo&feature=watch-vrec