Every
educative program follows its learning standards, which are the statements of
what students, enrolled in that program, must know (Illinois State Board of
Education, 2010). Teachers use those standards to assess what children have
learned, but I think children’s learning assessment should not be determined by
a test, because teachers should observe, or pay attention to, the child’s
attitude, what if the child is going through a hard situation? What if he has
been sick? What if the family structure at home has changed? These are things
that affect the child’s learning, and as Benson stated “the child's actual
behavior in the classroom and at home is often a better indicator of a child's
ability than an abstract intelligence test, so children might get educational
services that are more appropriate to their needs” (2003, para. 23). These are some reasons why
I think the assessment should not be based, or measured, only on tests that are
the same for the whole group, because “even with a battery of tests, assessment
may be inaccurate” (Berger, 2009, p. 325).
On
March 28, 2012, President Obama was asked about standardized tests, he shared a
story about his daughters, who had just taken a standardized test without
panicking about it, because they ignored they would be tested, he said that many
times the standardized tests are used to punish students or schools, and
suggested to apply these tests in a less pressured atmosphere (Univision.com,
2012).
Looking
for different ways to assess students, I found an interesting article about Hungary.
In this country the kindergarten coverage is over 90% of children 5 years old
and older, keeping in mind that there is a low birth rate in this country, and
its services have aimed at the balanced development of young children,
emphasizing the acquisition of social and learning skills, rather than on rote
learning and subject knowledge. School-based program for children aged 3-7
includes basic skills development, pre-reading, drawing, singing and school
preparation.
Children
are assessed by the kindergarten teachers throughout the school year. As from
September 2004, their Act on Public Education stipulates that all children must
be assessed in written, individual analysis. Kindergartens are staffed by
kindergarten pedagogues who are required to have a tertiary degree of at least
2500 hours, of which 30% is of a practical nature including observations of
kindergarten practice, individual and group sessions, and practical courses.
They are helped by kindergarten assistants who provide support to the
kindergarten pedagogues in the operation of the kindergarten class. Classes are
therefore organized into groups with two pedagogues, and the support of an
assistant/cleaner. The assistants do not have to have a secondary education and
are able, but not required, to take a specialist examination. Currently some
80% of kindergarten teachers have a tertiary degree and a total of 97% have
specialized training (Hidasi, n.d.).
I
think the result of assessments in a program should not determine whether the
child is promoted or not, but it can let the teacher know the kind of help that
child needs at that moment. In addition, as President Obama mentioned, these
tests should not only to judge whether a school is doing well or not
(Univision.com, 2012).
References
-
Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
- Hidasi, J. (n.d.) A successful
kindergarten in Hungary. http://www.childresearch.net/PROJECT/ECEC/europe/hungary/report10_01.html
