Education Education
Jan 14, 2016
EducationEducation
EducationEducation
Formal education – formal academic studies and Formal education – formal academic studies and schoolsschools
It can also refer to admirable human qualities that It can also refer to admirable human qualities that one acquires out of classroom one acquires out of classroom
Consider the larger aims of educationConsider the larger aims of education
That aims of education vary across cultures and timeThat aims of education vary across cultures and time
It is thus important to have a clear parameter It is thus important to have a clear parameter when you are answering essay questions – are when you are answering essay questions – are you talking about Singapore/ developed you talking about Singapore/ developed countries? Are you discussing formal countries? Are you discussing formal education? education?
Purposes of EducationPurposes of Education
To put it simply, it refers to the To put it simply, it refers to the reason to reason to send children to schoolsend children to school
Education does not have a single goal; in fact, Education does not have a single goal; in fact, it serves multiple objectivesit serves multiple objectives
We attend school not just to fill our minds We attend school not just to fill our minds with knowledge but in the process of with knowledge but in the process of acquiring these textbook knowledge, we also acquiring these textbook knowledge, we also build our character, sharpen our critical eye build our character, sharpen our critical eye and expand our minds. and expand our minds.
So it is just about So it is just about getting a job?getting a job?
We’ve often been told that education is the ticket We’ve often been told that education is the ticket to employment, good pay and a bright futureto employment, good pay and a bright future
Pragmatic thus far.Pragmatic thus far.
A person must still be equipped for a job so that A person must still be equipped for a job so that he can earn a living and at the same time he can earn a living and at the same time contribute to the society of which he is a membercontribute to the society of which he is a member
Employers still look at certification to ascertain the Employers still look at certification to ascertain the applicant’s capability – applicant’s capability – objective and easierobjective and easier
From the perspective of the government - From the perspective of the government - Contribute to economy hence need to Contribute to economy hence need to prepare the young for the workforceprepare the young for the workforce
Overall skill level of the local labour force is Overall skill level of the local labour force is one of the key drivers of local job growth and one of the key drivers of local job growth and wage growth [Singapore – knowledge based wage growth [Singapore – knowledge based economy]economy]
Better equipped for more job opportunities – Better equipped for more job opportunities – productivity will improve – boost economyproductivity will improve – boost economy
However nowadays the skills mastered in However nowadays the skills mastered in order to get those qualifications are now order to get those qualifications are now getting redundant in the workplacegetting redundant in the workplace
Why??Why??
Students end up learning skills that are Students end up learning skills that are examinable but are ultimately redundantexaminable but are ultimately redundant
And as a result? And as a result?
New graduates cannot match the New graduates cannot match the expectations of the current job market and expectations of the current job market and governments also struggle to grow their governments also struggle to grow their economies to increase the number of jobs to economies to increase the number of jobs to meet demandmeet demand
What’s wrong with skills that are examinable – What’s wrong with skills that are examinable – fixated on content specific curricula because it is fixated on content specific curricula because it is so much easier to quantify, assesss and deem so much easier to quantify, assesss and deem ready for the working worldready for the working world
Can be memorised, serves no real application in Can be memorised, serves no real application in real lifereal life
But the world is changing at an exponentially But the world is changing at an exponentially increasing rate increasing rate anything remotely content anything remotely content specific is likely to be redundant almost as fastspecific is likely to be redundant almost as fast
Eg: in United Kingdom, there has been a Eg: in United Kingdom, there has been a problem of too many graduates to the point problem of too many graduates to the point where it was common to find construction where it was common to find construction workers who possessed Masters degreesworkers who possessed Masters degrees
Unless society finds a new way to assess the Unless society finds a new way to assess the competency of people they hire, certification competency of people they hire, certification would still be the primary mode of determining would still be the primary mode of determining worth - objective way/ tried and tested worth - objective way/ tried and tested
People would expect that education would provide People would expect that education would provide them with the abilities needed for future careersthem with the abilities needed for future careers
The only way forward is for education to The only way forward is for education to encompass life skills related to social emotional encompass life skills related to social emotional learning, which would allow students to better learning, which would allow students to better manage themselves and their relationships with manage themselves and their relationships with othersothers
Such perennial skills would also enable Such perennial skills would also enable students to cope with the rapidly changing students to cope with the rapidly changing world and respond with stability when it is world and respond with stability when it is called for.called for.
Hence what would be useful is a strategy for Hence what would be useful is a strategy for life – life – to prepare students for life to prepare students for life
The young need to be educated in skills The young need to be educated in skills that could serve an individual for life that could serve an individual for life like creativity and teamwork as well as a like creativity and teamwork as well as a capacity for perceiving responsibility capacity for perceiving responsibility with compassion with compassion
Life skills Life skills
Some examples include allowing failure, Some examples include allowing failure, experimentation, creativity and innovation, experimentation, creativity and innovation, ability to communicate with others, independent ability to communicate with others, independent etc etc
Common call for change to education from Common call for change to education from celebrities to distinguished experts [Steve Jobs, celebrities to distinguished experts [Steve Jobs, JK Rowling, Jim Carrey etc]JK Rowling, Jim Carrey etc]
More governments have begun to enact the shift More governments have begun to enact the shift of curriculum to the inclusion of more life skills of curriculum to the inclusion of more life skills and character building. One example is and character building. One example is Singapore. Singapore.
Life skills are non-tangible skills that deal with Life skills are non-tangible skills that deal with cognitive, social, and emotional competencecognitive, social, and emotional competence
These types of intangible skills are what help These types of intangible skills are what help develop better coping and success strategies.develop better coping and success strategies.
Determine someone’s perception of us and their Determine someone’s perception of us and their receptivity to usreceptivity to us
With life skills, one is able to explore alternatives, With life skills, one is able to explore alternatives, weigh pros and cons and make rational decisions weigh pros and cons and make rational decisions in solving each problem or issue as it arises. It in solving each problem or issue as it arises. It also entails being also entails being able to establish productive interpersonal able to establish productive interpersonal relationships with others.relationships with others.
The fall of some countries during the recent The fall of some countries during the recent financial crisis demonstrates the lack of practical financial crisis demonstrates the lack of practical skills that people have today; instead of being skills that people have today; instead of being able to cope and find opportunity in crisis, the able to cope and find opportunity in crisis, the people of Greece choose to blame each other people of Greece choose to blame each other and wait for massive financial bailouts which the and wait for massive financial bailouts which the country may never recover from. country may never recover from.
Being able to create change rather than struggle Being able to create change rather than struggle in the wake of it and having communities that in the wake of it and having communities that can progress together would make for a better can progress together would make for a better result of education than a blind focus on result of education than a blind focus on academia. academia.
Hence the need to Hence the need to diversify diversify
Knowledge is still important – foundation for Knowledge is still important – foundation for thinkingthinking
Without a “rigorous foundation” of numeracy and Without a “rigorous foundation” of numeracy and literacy, students cannot learn new skills and pick literacy, students cannot learn new skills and pick up new jobs later in life.up new jobs later in life.
Evi: an emphasis on bilingualism even in the Evi: an emphasis on bilingualism even in the kindergartens and learning support programmes kindergartens and learning support programmes for languages and maths in primary and secondary for languages and maths in primary and secondary schoolsschools
Very little can be achieved with the help of Very little can be achieved with the help of surface knowledgesurface knowledge
Humanly impossible to absorb all knowledge Humanly impossible to absorb all knowledge and understand it all – knowledge is so vast and understand it all – knowledge is so vast and ever expandingand ever expanding
But But No longer enough No longer enough to have one set of to have one set of fundamental knowledge and skillsfundamental knowledge and skills
Long years of specialisation determines Long years of specialisation determines thinking and attitude – limited in his approachthinking and attitude – limited in his approach
Ideally, one should know the fundamental Ideally, one should know the fundamental facts about facts about various areas various areas of knowledge – eg: of knowledge – eg: the new ‘A’ syllabus has stipulated that each the new ‘A’ syllabus has stipulated that each candidate must offer a ‘contrasting’ subject – candidate must offer a ‘contrasting’ subject – aims to expand their knowledge about aims to expand their knowledge about subject areas which they may not have taken subject areas which they may not have taken up voluntarilyup voluntarily
Important that one is able to synthesize – Important that one is able to synthesize – sense of continuity and interrelatednesssense of continuity and interrelatedness
And it is important that all that he or she has And it is important that all that he or she has gathered should not remain a bunch of facts gathered should not remain a bunch of facts but rather he or she should be able to but rather he or she should be able to critically analyse these information and critically analyse these information and transform and synthesize his or her transform and synthesize his or her knowledge into applicable / knowledge into applicable / transferable transferable skills skills
More application questions in assessment; no More application questions in assessment; no longer just accepting model answers longer just accepting model answers
Critical thinkingCritical thinking
The objective analysis and evaluation of an The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgmentissue in order to form a judgment
Creative thinkingCreative thinking
A way of looking at problems and situations from a A way of looking at problems and situations from a fresh perspective that suggests new/ unorthodox fresh perspective that suggests new/ unorthodox solutionssolutions
The quality and number of people graduating from The quality and number of people graduating from University with a Bachelor Degrees, a Masters University with a Bachelor Degrees, a Masters Degrees and even a PhD is increasing at an Degrees and even a PhD is increasing at an incredible rate. incredible rate.
There will be a tremendous amount of qualified There will be a tremendous amount of qualified people applying for the same jobs. people applying for the same jobs. What will set What will set someone apart is their ability to think someone apart is their ability to think differently, to think in new ways, to come up differently, to think in new ways, to come up with new ideas, and to be innovative.with new ideas, and to be innovative.
Minister for Education, Heng Swee Keat, said Minister for Education, Heng Swee Keat, said this is ''less about content knowledge'' but this is ''less about content knowledge'' but ''more about how to process information".''more about how to process information".
He describes this challenge to innovate as He describes this challenge to innovate as being able to "discern truths from untruths, being able to "discern truths from untruths, connect seemingly disparate dots, and create connect seemingly disparate dots, and create knowledge knowledge even as the context changes''.even as the context changes''.
Creativity in Singapore Creativity in Singapore schoolsschools
Narrow focus on Science and MathNarrow focus on Science and Math
Obsession with exam grades and Obsession with exam grades and standardized testingstandardized testing
Results in our curriculum not rewarding Results in our curriculum not rewarding creativity – students are used to being creativity – students are used to being spoonfed and memorising and regurgitating spoonfed and memorising and regurgitating model answersmodel answers
Schools also find it hard to teach or test Schools also find it hard to teach or test creativity. creativity.
Problem lies in over Problem lies in over emphasis on Science and emphasis on Science and
MathMath Narrow focus of education system on only the Narrow focus of education system on only the
functional or pragmatic aspects may result in functional or pragmatic aspects may result in children growing up with tunnel vision since children growing up with tunnel vision since science and math might be their sole focusscience and math might be their sole focus
Focusing on what is regarded as productive Focusing on what is regarded as productive and downplaying importance of creative skills and downplaying importance of creative skills may stunt creativitymay stunt creativity
Create a society monotonous and without Create a society monotonous and without colour, limits the views of people to see or colour, limits the views of people to see or imagine possibilities for themselves beyond imagine possibilities for themselves beyond the pragmaticthe pragmatic
Eg: the fact that Express students in Eg: the fact that Express students in Singapore cannot take Art after Secondary Singapore cannot take Art after Secondary Two. Another example is that Design and Two. Another example is that Design and Technology is only available to certain Technology is only available to certain students. students.
Though technically every subject should Though technically every subject should teach creative skills, it is more difficult to be teach creative skills, it is more difficult to be creative with Science and Math subjectscreative with Science and Math subjects
Problem lies in the Problem lies in the assessmentassessment
In order to be successful in standardized In order to be successful in standardized testing, students must write papers whereby testing, students must write papers whereby the main skill being examined is critical the main skill being examined is critical thinking, not creativity.thinking, not creativity.
We do not test creativity or allow creative We do not test creativity or allow creative answers – students are spoonfed with model answers – students are spoonfed with model answers and due to importance of grades, answers and due to importance of grades, few would dare to do something differentfew would dare to do something different
Eg: Even in Literature, we are tested on the Eg: Even in Literature, we are tested on the critical analysis of a poem or a prose and not critical analysis of a poem or a prose and not on the creative aspectson the creative aspects
Schools do not teach Schools do not teach creativitycreativity
Shortsighted educational philosophers are to be Shortsighted educational philosophers are to be blamed. – obsession with exam gradesblamed. – obsession with exam grades
Many local teachers prefer docility and tame students Many local teachers prefer docility and tame students who have creative ideas and are forward thinkers, who have creative ideas and are forward thinkers,
Our society also declares that math, science, Our society also declares that math, science, memorization and successful standardized memorization and successful standardized examination results are the only things students need examination results are the only things students need to surviveto survive
Teachers do not go beyond standard curriculum or Teachers do not go beyond standard curriculum or allow students to explore beyond. Even if they want allow students to explore beyond. Even if they want to, they do not have the time due to the packed to, they do not have the time due to the packed curriculum. curriculum.
Our society also does Our society also does not promote creativitynot promote creativity
Overarching influence of Confucian teachings Overarching influence of Confucian teachings and adherence to obedience, respect for and adherence to obedience, respect for authority, hierarchical structures and authority, hierarchical structures and insistence on conformity,insistence on conformity,
Seem to go against what are generally Seem to go against what are generally thought to be the catalysts for innovation — thought to be the catalysts for innovation — namely, an open culture where exchange of namely, an open culture where exchange of ideas are encouraged, individuality, and ideas are encouraged, individuality, and diversity which brings about different diversity which brings about different perspectives.perspectives.
But we are trying to But we are trying to make a change …make a change …
For Singapore, our “Desired Outcomes of For Singapore, our “Desired Outcomes of Education” include Education” include critical and inventive critical and inventive thinking thinking as well as social and emotional as well as social and emotional competences. At the end of secondary school, competences. At the end of secondary school, among other things students are expected to among other things students are expected to be “resilient in the face of adversity”, be “resilient in the face of adversity”, ““innovative and enterprisinginnovative and enterprising” as well as ” as well as “able to think critically and communicate “able to think critically and communicate persuasively”.persuasively”.
Refer to articlesRefer to articles
Passion for learningPassion for learning
Too much pragmatic focus may diminish the Too much pragmatic focus may diminish the joys of learning – important to not let rigidity joys of learning – important to not let rigidity of education system to produce too much of education system to produce too much stress and competition that turn children off stress and competition that turn children off from learningfrom learning
Children should be allowed to explore their Children should be allowed to explore their interests and discover their potentials interests and discover their potentials
Important to have a Important to have a love for learning love for learning – – ensure that the child will be prepared for life – ensure that the child will be prepared for life – skills and knowledge will get redundant skills and knowledge will get redundant
Vital that what is taught holds great value for Vital that what is taught holds great value for the people receiving the lessonthe people receiving the lesson
There must be some joy and fun and students There must be some joy and fun and students need to see how the knowledge and skills need to see how the knowledge and skills they are learning can be appliedthey are learning can be applied
Students need to understand the value of Students need to understand the value of what is being taught, its inherent applicability what is being taught, its inherent applicability and the subsequent enhancement to their and the subsequent enhancement to their lives lives
A passion for learning will then lead to A passion for learning will then lead to lifelong learninglifelong learning
Character formationCharacter formation
One must possess moral integrityOne must possess moral integrity
Above all the knowledge that one has Above all the knowledge that one has accumulated, one needs to be aware that accumulated, one needs to be aware that ultimately one must bring good to society, not ultimately one must bring good to society, not to harm othersto harm others
Moral compass guides one’s behaviourMoral compass guides one’s behaviour
One will not be able to earn respect if one does One will not be able to earn respect if one does not possess a strong moral compassnot possess a strong moral compass
One will also bring harm to the people around One will also bring harm to the people around him or her or worse, the societyhim or her or worse, the society
Values - Principles or standards of behaviour; Values - Principles or standards of behaviour; one’s judgement of what is important in lifeone’s judgement of what is important in life Eg: western values, Buddhist values etcEg: western values, Buddhist values etc
Moral values – the rules or right conduct; the Moral values – the rules or right conduct; the distinction between right and wrongdistinction between right and wrong
The very basic of a human beingThe very basic of a human being
Why is it important?Why is it important?
Youth are buffeted by the forces of changing Youth are buffeted by the forces of changing technology and intense global competition and, technology and intense global competition and, hence, traditional social structures are breaking hence, traditional social structures are breaking down across the world and in Singapore.down across the world and in Singapore.
The more deeply our youth internalise good values, The more deeply our youth internalise good values, the better they are prepared for a fast- changing the better they are prepared for a fast- changing worldworld
We need personal values to enable each of us to We need personal values to enable each of us to have the confidence, self awareness, grit and have the confidence, self awareness, grit and determination to succeed. determination to succeed.
We need moral values, such as respect, We need moral values, such as respect, responsibility, care and appreciation towards others responsibility, care and appreciation towards others to guide each of us to be a socially responsible to guide each of us to be a socially responsible personperson
Eg: Ferdinand Marcos, the former President of Eg: Ferdinand Marcos, the former President of the Philippines. the Philippines.
As a lawyer and eventually a leader of his As a lawyer and eventually a leader of his people, he would be considered a well people, he would be considered a well educated person. However his downfall was educated person. However his downfall was brought about by a government marred by brought about by a government marred by nepotism and corruption. nepotism and corruption.
While some have recognised his intelligence While some have recognised his intelligence and leadership, his lack of integrity has and leadership, his lack of integrity has marred those viewsmarred those views
MeritocracyMeritocracy
Political philosophy which holds that power Political philosophy which holds that power should be vested in individuals according to should be vested in individuals according to meritmerit
What’s merit? What’s merit? Talent meritocracyTalent meritocracy Exam meritocracyExam meritocracy
Talent meritocracyTalent meritocracy
Employed in the Western countriesEmployed in the Western countries
Based on individual’s different talentsBased on individual’s different talents
Works under the belief each individual is Works under the belief each individual is unique in his/her own way and should be unique in his/her own way and should be given different opportunities to explore and given different opportunities to explore and developdevelop
Classes are not restricted by gradesClasses are not restricted by grades
Exam meritocracyExam meritocracy
Employed in Singapore and other asian Employed in Singapore and other asian countriescountries
Based on test scores derived from standardized Based on test scores derived from standardized teststests
Works under the belief that Standardized test Works under the belief that Standardized test are sufficient to gauge out the cream of the are sufficient to gauge out the cream of the crop and that developing the best will yield the crop and that developing the best will yield the most desirable resultsmost desirable results
Classes are restricted by the test scores that Classes are restricted by the test scores that the individual recievesthe individual recieves
Advantages of talent Advantages of talent meritocracymeritocracy
Everyone is allowed to pursue their passionEveryone is allowed to pursue their passion
No one is discriminated against, regardless of No one is discriminated against, regardless of gradesgrades
Talented individuals in areas like the arts can Talented individuals in areas like the arts can be identifiedbe identified
Advantages of exam Advantages of exam meritocracymeritocracy
Individuals are developed based on their Individuals are developed based on their academic strengthacademic strength
There is a motivation to work harder due to There is a motivation to work harder due to the competitive nature of exam meritocracythe competitive nature of exam meritocracy
Research have shown that countries which Research have shown that countries which employ exam meritocracy score better on employ exam meritocracy score better on standardized tests compared to countries standardized tests compared to countries which employs talent meritocracywhich employs talent meritocracy
Disadvantages of talent Disadvantages of talent meritocracymeritocracy
Interest does not always equal to talentInterest does not always equal to talent
Many parents all feel their child is gifted,as Many parents all feel their child is gifted,as such,would get their child to opt for a class such,would get their child to opt for a class which is not suitable for themwhich is not suitable for them
Significantly lower scores on standardized Significantly lower scores on standardized tests compared to other countries which tests compared to other countries which employ exam meritocracyemploy exam meritocracy
Disadvantages of exam Disadvantages of exam meritocracymeritocracy
Interest is secondary to abilityInterest is secondary to ability
Lacks the ability to test for areas such as Lacks the ability to test for areas such as creativitycreativity
Fails to train qualities like spontaneityFails to train qualities like spontaneity
Weaker students are discriminated against Weaker students are discriminated against and only the better students get better and only the better students get better standards of education along with more standards of education along with more options and opportunitiesoptions and opportunities
Social divideSocial divide
A meritocratic system is coupled with the A meritocratic system is coupled with the principle of non-discrimination, in which merit principle of non-discrimination, in which merit and talent alone determine selection.and talent alone determine selection.
But one must also consider the unequal But one must also consider the unequal backgrounds from which people come.backgrounds from which people come. It means, for example, ensuring that children It means, for example, ensuring that children
compete in schools on a more equal footingcompete in schools on a more equal footing
Those who benefitted from the system (better Those who benefitted from the system (better education and more earning power education and more earning power use use resources to ensure their children remain resources to ensure their children remain winnerswinners
Eg: tuition, preference for alumni for popular Eg: tuition, preference for alumni for popular primary schoolsprimary schools
Rise in social distance between the winners of Rise in social distance between the winners of the system and the restthe system and the rest
Must ensure that the elite (people who are Must ensure that the elite (people who are governing) consciously don the lens of the governing) consciously don the lens of the ordinary singaporeansordinary singaporeans
Ensure that social mobility does not Ensure that social mobility does not decelerate despite greater resources decelerate despite greater resources available to winners – resources must be available to winners – resources must be made available for the rest (eg: CDAC)made available for the rest (eg: CDAC)
Winners in this system must be aware that Winners in this system must be aware that their acheivements are enabled by the their acheivements are enabled by the society they live in. society they live in.
ExamsExams
Concerned that overloading children with Concerned that overloading children with work and exam preparations could threaten work and exam preparations could threaten students’ health and emotionsstudents’ health and emotions
The Organization for Economic and The Organization for Economic and Development (OECD) ranked S. Korea Development (OECD) ranked S. Korea elementary, middle and high school students elementary, middle and high school students the lowest in terms of happiness compared to the lowest in terms of happiness compared to other OECD countriesother OECD countries
In Singapore, critics have argued that children In Singapore, critics have argued that children cannot enjoy their education or pursue their cannot enjoy their education or pursue their passions due to the need to do wellpassions due to the need to do well
Plus pointsPlus points
Exams are a quick way to sort large numbers Exams are a quick way to sort large numbers of students by ability in specific areas – of students by ability in specific areas – standardized testing ensures accurate standardized testing ensures accurate comparison across groupscomparison across groups
Exams encourage students to study, do more Exams encourage students to study, do more reading and writing and thus improving their reading and writing and thus improving their general knowledge.general knowledge.
Plus pointsPlus points
An exam measures how well a student has An exam measures how well a student has grasped facts, knowledge or skills in a grasped facts, knowledge or skills in a specific area at a specific point in time / or specific area at a specific point in time / or how well the teacher has taughthow well the teacher has taught Good for follow-up actions that can help the Good for follow-up actions that can help the
studentsstudents Help track students’ progressHelp track students’ progress
Minus pointsMinus points
Conventional exams just cannot measure a Conventional exams just cannot measure a whole range of qualities, strengths and whole range of qualities, strengths and capacities that matter in lifecapacities that matter in life Bulk of rewards goes to those who excel in a Bulk of rewards goes to those who excel in a
rather narrow range of skillsrather narrow range of skills It reveals very little else, including a student's It reveals very little else, including a student's
eagerness to learn. eagerness to learn.
Minus pointsMinus points
High stakes - High stakes - Some take up to a year off work Some take up to a year off work to help their child prepare for the PSLE as to help their child prepare for the PSLE as they believe its scores determine the they believe its scores determine the secondary school, and therefore the secondary school, and therefore the university, their child can access, which in university, their child can access, which in turn determines his eventual job prospects turn determines his eventual job prospects and career path. and career path. high level of pressurehigh level of pressure – results in – results in
undesirable consequences (depression or undesirable consequences (depression or addiction)addiction)
Minus pointsMinus points
High pressure High pressure Teachers teach to the test. Teachers teach to the test. Most do not do this, Most do not do this,
but some feel so much pressure for their but some feel so much pressure for their students to achieve a specific score that students to achieve a specific score that they they dodo end up teaching to the test, end up teaching to the test, whether whether they want to or notthey want to or not. This can make school . This can make school drudgery for students and steal teachers’ drudgery for students and steal teachers’ enjoyment of teaching.enjoyment of teaching.
Schools cut down on non essential subjects or Schools cut down on non essential subjects or play time. play time. This can have negative impact on This can have negative impact on children’s social, emotional, and academic well-children’s social, emotional, and academic well-being.being.
Minus pointsMinus points
An exam meritocracy may be hard on late An exam meritocracy may be hard on late bloomers. Most exams take place in the first bloomers. Most exams take place in the first 20-odd years of people's lives. But some may 20-odd years of people's lives. But some may take longer to find their niche.take longer to find their niche.
So…So…
For better or worse, standardized testing is For better or worse, standardized testing is here to stay. here to stay.
The key is to use the test results as a guide for The key is to use the test results as a guide for teachers, parents, and students. teachers, parents, and students.
They should also be used, They should also be used, in a limited in a limited capacitycapacity, to assess how well schools are doing. , to assess how well schools are doing. Standardized testing certainly should be used to Standardized testing certainly should be used to
help measure a school’s success, but it should help measure a school’s success, but it should be be oneone assessment among assessment among severalseveral that that determines whether a school's students are determines whether a school's students are progressing or not.progressing or not.