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Monday, April 23, 2012

The Innovative Educator: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized tests

The Innovative Educator: The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized tests:


The bad pineapple questions are not the problem with standardized tests

I am disappointed that the mainstream story about testing happens to be a poor a test section about pineapples. While I agree the test question was ridiculous, I think focusing on that diverts us from the real problem which is that even if the test had greatest questions on earth, standardized testing at its core is a problem for numerous reasons.

Here are a dozen that come to mind.
1) Teachers are assessment experts. We don't need to spend 32 million on outsourcing assessments in NY alone. Billions nationwide.
2) If we believe we should differentiate instruction, then we can not standardize assessment. We must measure students where they are at.
3) Standardized tests are one of the least effective