National testing of elementary and secondary students exists in most industrialized countries. Each country's national examinations are based on national curricula and content standards. The difference in weight and consequence of the exams varies tremendously from country to country, as does the use of exams at various levels of education. In France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Japan, examinations at the lower secondary or elementary level are required for admission to academic secondary schools. In the United States, there is a more informal system of tracking students into academic, vocational, or general studies within the same secondary school. In Japan and Korea secondary students take nationally administered examinations that determine their postsecondary placement. Topscoring students attend the most prestigious public universities. In France the baccalaureate examinations are given to students at academic secondary schools (the lycée) as exit examinations and also to determine university placement. In Germany a similar distinction is made between academic and vocational secondary school, and passing the Abitur (exit examination from Gymnasium or academic secondary school) allows students to continue on to university-level coursework. In Great Britain students study for their A-level examinations for university placement. Finally, in Italy students must pass exit examinations at both the lower-and upper-secondary levels. At the secondary level, the Esami di maturita impacts university attendance or employment.
For further reading about standard testing in Japan http://jalt.org/test/edw_1.htm
As educators, there are so many ways we learn how to assess children. Everyday I learn new ways to examine children and abilites.
I wish school and learning was a walk in the park for me like it was for you. Thats mostly how it was for my little sister. I was diagnosed with A.D.D when I was in the second grade and I hate(d) school. I was one that could pass a class and assignments but not tests. I did horrible on standardized tests. I think children need tests but not standardized tests or at least if they have to take them dont let on how important they are and stress children out. As an exit from high school or college I can understand the need for a standardized type test but i do not think elementary and middle school children should take them.
ReplyDeleteTameka,
ReplyDeleteI had similar experience with school being easy for me. Unfortunately this led to boredom. By eighth grade I had lost interest in school. I found I could do the minimum and still pass while many of my friends struggled to get passing grades. I was identified as gifted in 3rd grade and had some additional classes once a week called Enrichment. But it still did not keep my interest because I would go back to my other classes and be bored.
One challenge for me since then has been I never learned any study skills! I had to learn them in college. Let me tell you this is not the time to have to learn how to study! Another down fall for me was not being able to assist my children with studying. I had to admit my weakness in a meeting for my son when he struggled in middle school. I was told I HAD to teach him how to study at home. I had no idea what to do! I was so frustrated leaving that meeting since they did not give me any help, just told me what I HAD to do.
So the assessment identified me, labeled me, but then failed to support me. This is one of the biggest failures I see still in school systems.
Its truly amazing how simple the Praxis test is yet we as teacher or teachers to be place a lot of stress on ourselves to pass the test. This must be how the students feel when we give them the state standardize test over multiple days. I can only now realize how my daughters must feel when they take or took their test.
ReplyDeleteFirst off I love the design of your blog!
ReplyDeleteNext, I agree with what they are doing in th different parts of the countries you wrote about. Why not assess students to see if they are college material? Since you are going to test them. And I like the idea of students who are not college material going on to work jobs. There is nothing wrong with working a job and being self supporting. Vocational jobs are good some of those people who are truck drivers, carpenters make more money than school teachers. Thanks for your post good job!
Audrey