It is important to remember that all assessment tests do not fit every child. Finding a particular test for each child is important (McCauley). Finally, it can be a good indicator of any red flags occuring with the child. Vision, hearing, developmental delays can all be detected with the right test. Quality appropriate tests may aid in this detection.Testing children is a difficult process and its purpose should be early detection of problems, students social and academic acheivments, and evaluating the curriculum. A tester has a huge responsibility to parents and child to make as fair as possible. Testing young children may become difficult and drawn out (McCauley). Preschool tests have the negatvie consquences of labeling (Gregory, 2000)
An assessment test in the fall can be very difficult with young children for the following reasons:
- Wariness of strangers
- Inconsistent performance
- Unfamiliar environments
- Language barriers
- Lack of interaction with other children in the past.
- Concentrating on other stimuli in the room; short attention span
- Cultural experiences have a huge effect on the way a child views the assessment situation
As I researched the way other countries assess their children I found an interesting article comparing the school systems of United States to countries like Japan, Denmark and Sweden. The way our educational is currently set-up this is probably where assessment needs to begin. According to Obama, "...rethink the school day. We still operate schools like we did when our nation's children were those from farming familes." To be a leading nation yet overall fall behind other countries when comparing our educational systems is unexcusable. Japan pushes children towards their interests. They decide which students continue in math and science fields and which ones are more suited for career tech type education. Children do not have an option and they perform well and are successful upon completetion of their education. United States falls behind China, Japan and India in academics even though they spend less on education.
Other differences include:
- Americans: 180 days of school; East Asia: 200 days of school
- Americans: 2-3 hours of homework; Japan: take after school classes
- Americans: 6.5 hour school day; Denmark/Sweden: 40-50 hour week.
In conclusion, I believe academic testing is important when the right test is used and balanced with other items as well such as parent input and social considerations. The right environment and the developmental history of the child should be considered (McCauley). At the same time I think we need to asses the school day and make it system that can compete with other countries. Unfortunately that is probably not something I will be able to accomplish but what I can do is conduct assessments that will detect problems early and provide a well-rounded, quality education to the children in my care.
Gregory, R.J.. (2000). Psychological Testing: History, Principles, and Applications (3rd ed.)
Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
McMauley, L. The Development Assessment of Young Children.
Ritter, S.H. (1995). Assessment of Preschool Children. New York: ERIC DIGEST.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteYour comparison to other countries is interesting. I have long been an advocate for education reform. We cannot compete with other countries if we do not do right by our children!
You mentioned agreeing with assessment if the right tool is used. I believe the there is a place for standardized testing but that other forms of assessment need to be used as well. Observation, anecdotal notes, portfolios and checklists work with younger children. I see no reason why they cannot be used for every child. I also believe that it is absolutely critical for us to evaluation a child's social and emotional development!
Follow up to questions you posed on my blog: I do not have an evaluation tool for creativity. However, I do believe that assessing the creativity level of children can help identify children who have strengths that standardized tests cannot identify.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI also believe children need to be tested at the first of the year to get a baseline on where they are at coming into the program. We perform our first test about a month into the school year and then again at the end of the year. We also give a DECA an emotional test this can give a heads up if there are problems that need to be addressed.
Alissa
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank you for the interaction we have had through this course. I really enjoyed your blog and appreciated how you personalized it with pictures of your family. Good luck with your future!