If you would like a discussion starter for a faculty/staff meeting or even a PTA group session, then a recent blog in Education Week may be a good source. The debate for standardized testing continues and usually divides educators and citizens into two camps: Do Not Test and Do Test.
The blog is in the February 11 issue of Education Week and is entitled “Standardized Test Is Bitter(But Necessary) Medicine” and is written by Cristine Duncan Evans, a public school teacher in Baltimore City. The title alone should elicit some response in a staff/faculty meeting and further reading in the blog will certainly raise the bar for discussion.
Ms Evans supports her position in a professional format with the need among other points, to use testing to evaluate schools/programs to “…figure out which schools are aren’t doing an adequate job of reaching students.” While she has a point, to what extent do we limit the testing to allow for instruction, etc, etc. Her other points should promote a lively discussion with your staff or PTA.
If you would like to access the entire blog, please go to:
