Take it from an expert, we are allowing those who know little about education and reform to dictate classroom policy. According to Diane Ravitch the time has come to let the pro's reform education and to get governors, the Dept. of Education and the President out of the way.
Ravtich commented in the Dec. 2011/Jan. 2012 issue of Educational Leadership that "testing is a very flawed instrument and we are basing our kids future on it." Her argument is a strong and profound one in that it calls into question what students will take out of constant standardized testing during the K-12 years.
Ms. Ravtich goes on to pose a thoughtful statement and question regarding the real goal of education. If the "aim of education is to get the right answer then what does that do to creativity, to imagination and the ability to find answers to solve problems?"
I'll help answer the question. Students will learn that getting the 'right answer' is all that counts. Getting answers correct is but one facet of educating today's youth. Going through life, however, will prove a great deal more difficult than getting the 'right anwser.'
The time has come to shelve the heavy dependence upon standardized testing as the 'cureall' reform to improve learning, teacher effectiveness and more. Perhaps this discussion will finally lead the general public to understand that education has always been about much more than testing.
Dick
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