There has been much debate about wether standardized testing should be kept as a way of testing throughout the entire nation. I would like to know your guys opinion on wether standardized testing is failing our kids or not.

http://standardizedtests.procon.org/

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Standardized_Testing/

The last thing the United States needs is an increased problem with public education. Do what needs to be done for the success of the country.

The last thing the United States needs is an increased problem with public education. Do what needs to be done for the success of the country.

 

Fucking Common Core is supposed to "be better for the nation". It makes no sense. Why teach the core of education all over again midway through high school? In my opinion, keep Common Core, but teach it to the 1st graders, let them go into 2nd grade with Common Core, 3rd grade, and so on, so eventually all the schools turn into Common Core, instead of just implementing it out of nowhere.

Okay I just searched up what common core means: The Common Core is a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA). These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. The standards were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live. Forty-three states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have voluntarily adopted and are moving forward with the Common Core.

So I'm not all sure on this standard, from what I see they're basically throwing science and social studies out the window as if they're not important.

So I'm not all sure on this standard, from what I see they're basically throwing science and social studies out the window as if they're not important.

 

Science and Social Studies are still important, just not as much as Mathematics and English. Math and English are used everywhere. Knowing how to work with numbers, and speaking proper English are skills that are needed in every line of work. Things like knowing the reason why WWI broke out, or balancing chemical equations are only useful in certain fields of work. A cashier or a waiter wouldn't need to know that stuff.

Science and Social Studies are still important, just not as much as Mathematics and English. Math and English are used everywhere. Knowing how to work with numbers, and speaking proper English are skills that are needed in every line of work. Things like knowing the reason why WWI broke out, or balancing chemical equations are only useful in certain fields of work. A cashier or a waiter wouldn't need to know that stuff.

Ah I see what you mean, I think it's important that everyone develops a good skill in at least one core subject.

In New York State, we have to take regents, and pass those regents with a 65 or above to graduate. Most of the stuff they put on these regents are not really going to assist in the real life field. As said above, Math and English are basically the only topics that should be studied and focused at more, rather than Science or Social Studies. For instance, our Global Studies Exam is the hardest exam out there and the one most kids seem to fail, yet they still give it. Seems more like they focus on the test rather than the actual teaching of the courses in schools now a days.

I honestly think testing like the SAT and all those others you need to get into a collage is a good thing but things like the Riverside and all those should go. I know here in New Mexico when we take the SBA's (Standard Based Assessment or whatever bullshit.), there is a A-F grading system for schools and that has a lot of teachers leaving the schools because I think if your kids fail, you get like disciplined or some shit. I really don't know since I pay attention to Law Enforcement news more than New Mexico Education problems.  

I honestly think testing like the SAT and all those others you need to get into a collage is a good thing but things like the Riverside and all those should go. I know here in New Mexico when we take the SBA's (Standard Based Assessment or whatever bullshit.), there is a A-F grading system for schools and that has a lot of teachers leaving the schools because I think if your kids fail, you get like disciplined or some shit. I really don't know since I pay attention to Law Enforcement news more than New Mexico Education problems.  

 

It's not New Mexico, it's pretty much nationwide with the exception of those wise state education board members that decided against it. While the cop is shooting the homeless person, and you're in school, the test you're taking will be the same one I'm taking. I guess that's a plus to Common Core testing?

It's not New Mexico, it's pretty much nationwide with the exception of those wise state education board members that decided against it. While the cop is shooting the homeless person, and you're in school, the test you're taking will be the same one I'm taking. I guess that's a plus to Common Core testing?

Not really because I don't think the Feds do the SBA tests. I think only the SAT/ACT

Not really because I don't think the Feds do the SBA tests. I think only the SAT/ACT

 

The Feds? What? Lol, no. The states coordinate with each other I guess, but I guarantee you that the test you will take will be the same one I will take. I bet 120943841092481204981203948 dollars on that.

The states coordinate with each other I guess, but I guarantee you that the test you will take will be the same one I will take. I bet 120943841092481204981203948 dollars on that.

I wouldn't be surprised. 

Anyone here takes the STARR test, at my school it is required for algerbra 1, biology, English 1 and 2 and U.S history.

Forcing kids to memorize information and regurgitate it onto a test is not learning.

In my opinion, we should get rid of them. I just sat through a debate in one of my classes about this exact topic. I believe that a letter grade (for schooling) should not decide your future success, both socially and academically. I feel that teachers do not teach for the benefit of the student and their education, but for the benefit of themselves. Why? Because if a teacher fails to properly prepare a student for the standardized tests that tell how much money a school will get, that teacher will most likely lose their job, and get replaced. 

 

I mainly feel this way because I am a senior in high school, and having slacked off my first 2 and a half years, I screwed myself over in terms of getting into college. I barely hung onto a 2.5 GPA for all of high school, and most colleges don't accept students with GPAs under 3.0. I know that I am much smarter than what the letter grades and GPA number dictate, but because of how the current system works, I am most likely not going to be able to get into college.

 

I had a few other points I wanted to make, but I forgot what they were. If I remember what they were, I'll edit this.

 

EDIT: I finally remembered what I wanted to add to this; Since I am in my senior year of high school, I have to take a required English class called Composition. This class is supposed to teach you how to properly write essays, ranging from one paragraph all the way up to multiple page essays. What I don't understand, and I have asked the question to various administrators in my building/district, is way are seniors who are preparing to graduate, have to take this class? If they wanted students to learn how to properly write essays, why not teach the class to them while they are in 7th grade, the grade in which we learn the formal way of writing (proper MLA format and all that flub dub). Teach it this way, and by the time the students enter their final years of high school, they will already know howto properly write the essays, and wouldn't have to stress about writing a multiple page paper in less than a week, while they have other class' homework, jobs they may have, and applying to college! IMO, there are many things that are wrong with the education system in America, but considering that we have used the same system for so long, I highly doubt there will be the slightest bit of change, if any.

 

/rant over

Edited November 13, 201411 yr by CRAWFORDx96

Anyone here takes the STARR test.

 

I've never heard of the STARR test. I do take the EOC (End Of Course) test but I don't worry about because there's stuff on it I don't even know. Which doesn't make sense.