http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/04/07/matthew-bell-fgcu-education-in-the-wrong-direction/ Sat, 19 May 2012 17:24:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/04/07/matthew-bell-fgcu-education-in-the-wrong-direction/#comment-1142 Jonathan R. Jacob Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:02:03 +0000 http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/04/07/matthew-bell-fgcu-education-in-the-wrong-direction/#comment-1142 Standardized testing is important simply due to the fact that it gauges the overall effectiveness of teaching methods by measuring overall retention of the students. While there needs to be more of a focus on critical thinking and innovation, these tests should not be destroyed and thrown by the wayside; they simply need to be reexamined. These tests need to be used as indicators only; graduation should not be dependent upon them. Furthermore, standardized testing needs to be just that; standardized. There needs to be a national test for each school students pass through, Elementary, Middle, and High, that would measure their effectiveness as students and be created on a national level. This country needs to strive for uniformity in its educational system; the comparison between New Hampshire and Florida makes the latter look like a bad joke. School curriculum should reflect this and be made similar to one another in order to ensure the creation of effective students. Standardized testing is important simply due to the fact that it gauges the overall effectiveness of teaching methods by measuring overall retention of the students. While there needs to be more of a focus on critical thinking and innovation, these tests should not be destroyed and thrown by the wayside; they simply need to be reexamined.
These tests need to be used as indicators only; graduation should not be dependent upon them. Furthermore, standardized testing needs to be just that; standardized. There needs to be a national test for each school students pass through, Elementary, Middle, and High, that would measure their effectiveness as students and be created on a national level. This country needs to strive for uniformity in its educational system; the comparison between New Hampshire and Florida makes the latter look like a bad joke. School curriculum should reflect this and be made similar to one another in order to ensure the creation of effective students.

]]> http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/04/07/matthew-bell-fgcu-education-in-the-wrong-direction/#comment-944 M. Riddle (Edison) Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:27:37 +0000 http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/04/07/matthew-bell-fgcu-education-in-the-wrong-direction/#comment-944 Our educational system has been using standardized testing for decades where the same information that is gleaned from the FCAT can be obtained. They are called the SAT and the ACT. When I graduated high school in 19...a long time ago...these tests were mandatory for all high school juniors, with the option of retaking the tests in your senior year. There were special classes designed just for the tests, but these were classes that you took at the end of the day after your normal classes. There is so much to learn, and, as each day passes, even that much more. Although teachers must pick and choose, usually within the guidelines of the district, what and how much to teach, the FCAT severely restricts a teacher's opportunity and time to teach subjects, or aspects of subjects, that would be more suitable in preparing our students for adult life. Our educational system has been using standardized testing for decades where the same information that is gleaned from the FCAT can be obtained. They are called the SAT and the ACT. When I graduated high school in 19…a long time ago…these tests were mandatory for all high school juniors, with the option of retaking the tests in your senior year. There were special classes designed just for the tests, but these were classes that you took at the end of the day after your normal classes. There is so much to learn, and, as each day passes, even that much more. Although teachers must pick and choose, usually within the guidelines of the district, what and how much to teach, the FCAT severely restricts a teacher’s opportunity and time to teach subjects, or aspects of subjects, that would be more suitable in preparing our students for adult life.

]]> http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/04/07/matthew-bell-fgcu-education-in-the-wrong-direction/#comment-790 Marco DiMieri (FGCU) Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:20:20 +0000 http://livingtextblog.andosciasociology.net/2009/04/07/matthew-bell-fgcu-education-in-the-wrong-direction/#comment-790 I agree with your premise, Matt. It seems that priorities are out sort. Like you said, its not the teachers fault when those who control them make sure they stress the standardized tests on the students. The people in control of the schools (not the teachers) want the recognition and symbol that comes with their schools and its respective students achieving high marks in standardized tests such as the FCAT and SAT. The goal of the school administrations should be for its students to learn lessons that they can use once these tests are over. Actual teachings they can use later in life. But is that even possible when these standardized tests are glorified as being so important and crucial?? Not to mention there are groups of people who feel these types of tests are biased and unfair. So what should be done - should standardized tests be abolished? I agree with your premise, Matt. It seems that priorities are out sort. Like you said, its not the teachers fault when those who control them make sure they stress the standardized tests on the students. The people in control of the schools (not the teachers) want the recognition and symbol that comes with their schools and its respective students achieving high marks in standardized tests such as the FCAT and SAT. The goal of the school administrations should be for its students to learn lessons that they can use once these tests are over. Actual teachings they can use later in life. But is that even possible when these standardized tests are glorified as being so important and crucial?? Not to mention there are groups of people who feel these types of tests are biased and unfair. So what should be done - should standardized tests be abolished?

]]>