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So far as I am aware, standardized testing does not apply to history and other non-core subjects. Like science also, unfortunately. Everything outside the three

So far as I am aware, standardized testing does not apply to history and other non-core subjects. Like science also, unfortunately. Everything outside the three Rs (reading, writing, 'rithmetic) is slashed, because that's what the tests target.

thaumasiotes 8y ago
Are you not familiar with the AP tests?
- Broken_Hippo 8y ago
  Not only do most kids not take AP tests, not all schools offer AP classes. OF the schools that offer them, not all of them offer the full array. The other unfortunate side of AP classes is that much of history classes is taught well before the AP class. I had 2.5 years of history in high school: One semester was a law education class, only offered to "advanced" students instead of geography (a real shame, as I think the class was one of the more helpful classes I took), one European history class, and one AP American History. The American History class was the most interesting and probably the most free, actually. My particular class used a college-level book and the teacher would add in things that weren't covered by the book and she'd point out where the book might be misleading or wrong. That class was also where I was introduced to "The Jungle", "Grapes of wrath", and Malcolm X's biography. I oddly don't remember as much about the actual test (it was 20 years ago), but it wasn't nearly the same as other standardized tests at the time. If I remember correctly, it was more based on thinking and processing history than memorizing facts.
alistairSH 8y ago
You're wrong. Most states have some form of Standards of Learning (SOL) testing at each grade level. These cover the three Rs, plus history and science. Most of these were implemented as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act. Here's a listing of the tests given in VA... http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/released_tests/index.shtml http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/released_tests/index...
- megaman22 8y ago
  Interesting. I know that my state and the neighboring one only count the reading, writing and mathematics portions of whatever standardized testing they require. Although I believe that the state legislature just eliminated the whole very expensive set of standards that they had just put into place.

thaumasiotes 8y ago

Are you not familiar with the AP tests?

Broken_Hippo 8y ago
Not only do most kids not take AP tests, not all schools offer AP classes. OF the schools that offer them, not all of them offer the full array. The other unfortunate side of AP classes is that much of history classes is taught well before the AP class. I had 2.5 years of history in high school: One semester was a law education class, only offered to "advanced" students instead of geography (a real shame, as I think the class was one of the more helpful classes I took), one European history class, and one AP American History. The American History class was the most interesting and probably the most free, actually. My particular class used a college-level book and the teacher would add in things that weren't covered by the book and she'd point out where the book might be misleading or wrong. That class was also where I was introduced to "The Jungle", "Grapes of wrath", and Malcolm X's biography. I oddly don't remember as much about the actual test (it was 20 years ago), but it wasn't nearly the same as other standardized tests at the time. If I remember correctly, it was more based on thinking and processing history than memorizing facts.

alistairSH 8y ago

You're wrong. Most states have some form of Standards of Learning (SOL) testing at each grade level. These cover the three Rs, plus history and science. Most of these were implemented as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act. Here's a listing of the tests given in VA... http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/released_tests/index.shtml http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/released_tests/index...

megaman22 8y ago
Interesting. I know that my state and the neighboring one only count the reading, writing and mathematics portions of whatever standardized testing they require. Although I believe that the state legislature just eliminated the whole very expensive set of standards that they had just put into place.