All of this could be true if the test had zero, or even negative, value in measuring the ability to learn & desire to excel. Picking any test, and curating for

All of this could be true if the test had zero, or even negative, value in measuring the ability to learn & desire to excel. Picking any test, and curating for those willing to and capable of the work required to pass it, would create this result. That’s the problem with this justification. It doesn’t have a functional limit. “DIY University” covered the history of how this mechanic brought down the Ming dynasty in just a couple generations. Tests can always be justified by non-causal correlation. Assessments ARE the reason why validated methods of learning, like project based learning, are not widely adopted. We have copious amounts of evidence now that teaching to the test is both psychologically harmful & reduces the ability to learn. We will not change our education system until assessments are dethroned. The movement to end assessment is our only hope as a society to stop teaching children based on archaic & wrong ideas about how we learn & develop work ethic. It is a significant factor in why a generation is experiencing alarmingly destructive levels of anxiety on a daily basis. We all have a lot to gain by building education programs where students demonstrate what they learn. Tests are the worst possible option. Check out “Most Likely To Succeed” for powerful alternatives.