Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Everybody is a Genius... In Their Own Way


 

http://visionaryeducation.blogspot.com/2013/01/everybodys-genius.html

With the upcoming state tests in NY, I have been thinking a lot about how standardized tests are not always the best option for our students. This cartoon illustrates just how unfair testing can be for students with diverse needs and abilities.  For students that are not all equal in terms of their development and capabilities, requiring them to take the same tests as other students their age, does not fit with the idea of making students feel comfortable and confident in themselves and their learning.
As a teacher, who has taught in general ed., gifted programs, ELL and ESL classrooms, I have seen what a vast difference there really is amongst students that are the same age and in the same grade.  We fight for the rights of students to receive instructional accommodations that they need but then we test them all the same way.  This cause some students unnecessary anxiety as well as causes those students with various special needs to feel inadequate, in tern lowering their self- esteem.  I believe that we should be doing the opposite and making students feel that they are all talented and valued in their own special ways.  I would never want a students of mine to feel that they are "stupid" because of their performance on a standardized test given once a year. I think there should be some modifications to the testing system so that we really educate students and give them a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

5 comments:

  1. I completely agree. I believe this illustration captures this view perfectly. I know there are time and environment modifications made for some students, but the structure and material are the same. An alternate and unique testing system that coincides with various learning styles and abilities would more fairly and accurately assess a student's knowledge.

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    1. We can hope that with innovative teaching practices and dedicated professionals that truly care about their students, one day assessments will be more fair and reflective of students' strengths and abilities. I guess we can all do our part and hope that one day we see this come to fruition.

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  2. I have witnessed students become so anxious and nervous while taking the State tests I felt bad and had to say something to my Assistant Principal that I felt it was wasn't fair to the student. He is going to be judged by one exam. Meanwhile, he is one of the top students in the class.
    It would really be nice to concentrate on the strengths of the students.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
      Ideally, students would only be held accountable for their true abilities and efforts but unfortunately, I think that this is a long way off in the education system.

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  3. Today when business allows more employees to work from home developing their own style and hours etc.because it has proven to be better all around,it seems counter productive for educators to be forced to measure a students advancement based on a published bench mark rather than one to one evaluation.

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