Standardized testing is how the underfunded No Child Left Behind mandate zeros in on accountability. For the middle school, testing is a way of life.
For example, the Ohio Department of Education mandates state achievement tests to be given each year in grades six, seven and eight. Grade six students are tested in math and reading, grade seven students are tested in reading, math and writing, and grade eight students are tested in reading, math, science and social studies.
Barack Obama’s Educational Change
At the middle school level, it seems that all energy is poured into preparing for the test, and all eyes are on the test results. This is, of course, is not the case for schools where high test scores come easily. However, Barack Obama has indicated that standardized testing may still be an important factor in education in the future, but there may be some other ways to assess students.
“I will provide funds for states to implement a broader range of assessments that can evaluate higher-order skills, including students’ abilities to use technology, conduct research, engage in scientific investigation, solve problems, present and defend their ideas,” said President-elect Barack Obama in the article “Barack Obama on Education” on the Education.com website [2006-2008].
Obama does not plan on dumping the tests completely, but there may be other ways to assess students in the future. This is a welcome change to many educators who are under heavy pressure to make their students perform on a one-day-fill-in-the-bubble standardized test.
Possibly Portfolios?
One possibility for an alternative to standardized testing may be the use of portfolios. Portfolios have been around for many years. They are used mostly in the arts or performance classrooms. However, portfolios can be used in a regular academic classroom. Basically, portfolios showcase a student's accomplishments over time and can include the student's evaluation of the pieces as well. Three key words to make the portfolio work are as follows: collect, select and reflect reports David Sweet in the article “Student Portfolios: Classroom Uses” in the Education Research Consumer Guide [November 1994].
The positive aspects of portfolios are that they allow students to understand the assessment process, and the portfolios show learning over a time period. The negative aspects are that it takes a great deal of effort and time for portfolios to be effective, and there needs to be space to store student work.
In the end, the fact that the President-elect Barack Obama is open to other assessment tools will make many educators rejoice. Most educators understand the need for accountability. However, it may not take a standardized test in the future for them to be held accountable.
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