3 ms·
I completely agree. This article is full of oddities like that, drawing correlations in places where it does not necessitate causation. "These are not the big
by aik 16y ago
I completely agree. This article is full of oddities like that, drawing correlations in places where it does not necessitate causation.
"These are not the big once-a-year or once-in-a-lifetime exams, like the SATs, but a stream of smaller, less monumental tests, designed in theory, at least, primarily to help students and their teachers know how they’re doing"
How profound. How exactly does that differ from current exams!? K-12 students don't have once-in-a-lifetime exams - they have less monumental tests that already take the focus away from what school is for - learning - not assessing. More assessments will lead to more focus on passing assessments and less focus on students and then less learning. Who can argue this? The fact that Chinese schools may possibly (which I'm suspicious of in the first place) have more tests, should in now way be seen as a cause for better learning. Here are a number of things the Chinese do better than most in the states that would lead to superior education:
1. Parents are more involved in their kids education.
2. Students are more involved in their own education.
3. Teachers are more involved in quality teaching/mentoring.
4. Teaching/learning methodologies are better.
How ridiculous.
- aik 16y agoIn addition, the article ends with one of the author's children asking [while in a class that has no tests]: “How do I know if I get what’s going on in math class?” I find this kind of thinking dangerous in that this question is essentially asking another person to think for you. Sometimes the answer should be a string of questions, not always a test. What do you feel you have learnt? Do you remember anything? Do you feel it has changed you? Was anything memorable? Did you enjoy the class? Do you enjoy doing problems? Do they interest you? Do you feel you are learning well?...Please think about it, child. What do you feel?
- rmah 16y ago"How profound. How exactly does that differ from current exams!? K-12 students don't have once-in-a-lifetime exams - they have less monumental tests that already take the focus away from what school is for - learning - not assessing" Many schools today have eliminated all tests for younger children. Think about this. No tests at all, IMO, cannot be a good thing.
- aik 16y agoIn some cases I agree that eliminating all tests is bad, especially if nothing else changes. It's especially bad when tests are eliminated without teachers changing their style. If you're going to change one you have to change the other. Children do need to be assessed and challenged. Sitting a child down with a pencil and paper is not the only method of assessing a child, and most definitely not the most effective.