TSJ Co-sponsors Testing Discussion at Midlothian High School
Approximately 30 parents, teachers and students gathered on Tuesday, Jan. 29th at Midlothian High School to discuss the impacts of standardized testing on teaching and learning. Dr. Gabriel Reich of VCU and Dr. Tom Shields of U of R presented research and perspective on how the standardized testing movement is failing to provide students with the skills needed for college, such as writing and critical thinking, and failing to prepare them to compete in a global economy.Many countries are moving towards a curriculum that prepares students for the conceptual age we are moving into, while America has moved in the opposite direction, narrowing the curriculum and focusing on rote memorization of facts and information.
Both professors took questions from the audience. The discussion centered around topics such as accountability: Is the accountability being invested in your children, or is the accountability invested in how well your children do on the tests? Do we want our children to have depth or breadth of knowledge? Parents asked why the standardized testing movement continues to grow despite mounting evidence that it only serves to make better test takers. Panelists responded that the testing industry has a financial interest in pushing these tests and that politicians rarely make research-informed decisions in their quest to “measure” achievement. Participants discussed how change must begin at the local level and were encouraged to hear that pockets of resistance to standardized testing are growing across the country.
The group plans to meet again. If you would like to learn more about this effort, contact richmondtsj@gmail.com
---Tamara Sober, M.Ed.