Assessment Perspectives

I think testing needs to be conducted from a variety of sources and all the sources should be considered when evaluating the child’s performance and demonstration of the needed skills.  We know that people learn best in different ways so I think that consideration should be given to allow a variety of test measurements that allow those strengths to shine.  My son Brandon, for instance who has a college level vocabulary but a 3^rd grade reading comprehension level could have done better if he could have used his preferred hands on style of learning to demonstrate his knowledge in this way.  By having a variety of methods of assessments you should be giving the findings more validity if they are measured in a variety of ways.

I chose to explore the way children are assessed in Australia, because I have always wanted to visit there and know very little about the culture or educational philosophies there.  I found that Australia has struggled with how to measure outcomes and how to ensure that all children are receiving the same content delivered in the same sequence if not the same year.  Australia has a national curriculum unlike in the United States where most states now have their own State Learning Standards.  Australia, however, seems to be taking a more balanced approach to assessment.  They have a National Assessment Plan-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), which is conducted in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.  In addition to these standardized tests, Australia has portfolio items for each of the standards at each level that is collected along with formative assessments gained from observing children in the classroom.  Teachers are allowed to individualize instruction across learning bands (years) if needed to meet the needs of their students.  Prior to this national plan the different territories and states each had their own test.  (National Assessment Plant)

            Disciplinary knowledge is found in the eight learning areas of the Australian Curriculum: English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies and Languages.  These appear to be similar to the areas Iowa’s State Early Learning Standards, except they have another area of Social/Emotional. Australia might be showing signs of a more balanced philosophy regarding the need for a holistic approach to education. “Becoming literate is not simply about knowledge and skills. Certain behaviors and dispositions assist students to become effective learners who are confident and motivated to use their literacy skills broadly. Many of these behaviors and dispositions are also identified and supported in other general capabilities. They include students managing their own learning to be self-sufficient; working harmoniously with others; being open to ideas, opinions and texts from and about diverse cultures; returning to tasks to improve and enhance their work; and being prepared to question the meanings and assumptions in texts. (Australian Curriculum, 2015)” They have woven social/emotional skills into their literacy curricula, rather being a separate skill area.

            As with any system it might sound like a better approach to assessment by only conducting standardized tests every other year and none until 3^rd grade when these tests are more appropriate, but the actual user of such a system might have a different opinion of their standardized curriculum.

            I think children are put under a lot of pressure to perform for tests rather than implementing what they’ve learned in meaningful way so they truly understand concepts and have thought through the process of learning.  This is the down fall of mass producing good test takers.

References:

Australian Curriculum, 2015, Retrieved December 3, 2015,

http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/overview/implications-for-teaching-assessing-and-reporting

National Assessment Plan, 2015, retrieved December 15, 2015

http://www.nap.edu.au/about/why-nap.html