Why do we focus on standardized tests too much? There are a variety of possible answers. However, based on facts from The Global Achievement Gap book by Tony Wagner, standardized tests are what is used to evaluate teachers, schools, districts, states, and countries. In the United States, “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) was implemented to ensure that all students were meeting achievement content standards in all subjects. After reading chapter three, I see NCLB as NMLB, “No Money Left Behind”. We have spent billions on education, but we have focused more on standardized tests than on student learning. As a result we continued to be one of the lowest in student performance when compare to other countries.
As a result of NCLB, teachers taught/teach students how to take standardized tests and the content that has been based on these tests in the past. “We are asking them to memorize facts for multiple choice questions,” (Wagner, 2008). Tony Wagner implies that we have gone backwards in education. NCLB has had a negative impact on our students. Instead of preparing them for the real world, it has prepared them for multiple choice assessments. Furthermore, Wagner states that these tests have been “dumbed down.”
I believe that students in America have less motivation than other students when compared to those in China and India. In the United States, we have a variety of resources for everyone; assistive living, Welfare, etc...Whereas in other countries people may not have access to this type of support and are forced to work regardless of their situation. If they don’t work, they don’t eat. As a civilian of Mexico, I experienced first hand the struggles and sacrifices one goes through trying to find a good job that pays well. When I came to the United States, I was motivated to go to school and do my best in all subjects. Native speakers were not as motivated. I remembered some students being rude, disrespectful, and careless towards teachers and school. Therefore, I highly agree with Tony Wagner, students in America are “spoiled”. Their parents have provided them with everything they need and/or want. In other countries, students typically do not have what they need.
References
Wagner, T. (2008). Testing, 1 2 3. The global achievement gap: Why even our best schools don't teach the new survival skills our children need--and what we can do about it (p. 290). New York: Basic Books.
The Global Achievement Gap. Retrieved from http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2009/01/18/Glo balAchieve mentCvr.jpg
As a result of NCLB, teachers taught/teach students how to take standardized tests and the content that has been based on these tests in the past. “We are asking them to memorize facts for multiple choice questions,” (Wagner, 2008). Tony Wagner implies that we have gone backwards in education. NCLB has had a negative impact on our students. Instead of preparing them for the real world, it has prepared them for multiple choice assessments. Furthermore, Wagner states that these tests have been “dumbed down.”
I believe that students in America have less motivation than other students when compared to those in China and India. In the United States, we have a variety of resources for everyone; assistive living, Welfare, etc...Whereas in other countries people may not have access to this type of support and are forced to work regardless of their situation. If they don’t work, they don’t eat. As a civilian of Mexico, I experienced first hand the struggles and sacrifices one goes through trying to find a good job that pays well. When I came to the United States, I was motivated to go to school and do my best in all subjects. Native speakers were not as motivated. I remembered some students being rude, disrespectful, and careless towards teachers and school. Therefore, I highly agree with Tony Wagner, students in America are “spoiled”. Their parents have provided them with everything they need and/or want. In other countries, students typically do not have what they need.
References
Wagner, T. (2008). Testing, 1 2 3. The global achievement gap: Why even our best schools don't teach the new survival skills our children need--and what we can do about it (p. 290). New York: Basic Books.
The Global Achievement Gap. Retrieved from http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2009/01/18/Glo balAchieve mentCvr.jpg