There has been a buzz in both parenting and educational communities about how teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington were refusing to give students the standardized tests, and how this spread to other schools in the area. There has also been news about how officials have demanded administrators to administer the tests. At this point, I am curious to see whether the tests have been given.
It seems that everyone has an opinion about the worth and value of the standardized test. Most teachers are not willing to give public opinion about the tests as they want to stay loyal to what their school district believes. Some teachers worry about sharing their opinion for risking job security. From what I have observed even teachers do not agree about the role standardized testing should have. Most teachers are quiet about the controversial subject when they are at work for they want to argue about something for which they have no control.
I do have questions about the standardized tests we give to elementary, junior high, and high school students and would like to see research done on the current effects of standardized testing. I am hoping some doctorate students are doing research in the area! Do students learn from taking the tests? Do teachers learn from giving the students the tests? Do parents appreciate the tests? How has No Child Left Behind testing affected drop out rates. Are students and/or parents understanding the test results, are they helpful? Do test results effect school performance, enjoyment of school, mental health of children?
Resources:
Teachers and administrators at Garfield High and other Schools refuse to give standardized tests-
www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/01/11/teachers-refuse-to-give-standardized-test-at-seattle-high-school/
Officials demanded administrators to administer tests-
www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/02/06/seattle-teachers-face-sanctions-standardized-test/
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