High Stakes Assessment

[Nikki]

Standardized tests can have a place in a school's curriculum. They can
be helpful in identifying student weaknesses and strengths, and gather
comparable data on a district or state-wide level. However, there are
many conditions that must be met for these benefits to be valid. For
example, tests need to be developmentally appropriate, free of bias,
etc. We feel that because standardized tests are so problematic they
should not be the soul determining assessment factor for students.
Traditionally, high-stakes tests force teachers to "teach to test," do
not account for different learning styles, and do not always accurately
assess the standards they are meant to. With great reform,
standardized test could become a more useful part of evaluating
students. With these ideas in mind, what do you see as the pros and
cons of standardized testing? What is currently being done in early
childhood education to prepare students for these tests and what kind
of assessments are used at this age level? Teachers, how does your
educational philosophy fit with current realities of high-stakes
assessment?