I have been taking a state standardized end-of-year test(First it was the TAAS, then the TAKS) since I was in the third grade. The alleged "reason" for this test is to see how much students are actually learning, but it learning for the test, in the long run, we learn nothing.
All year teachers prepare for this one test, which actually test a very narrow subject area. Instead of trying to get us to actually learn something, they want to make sure that we are able to regurgitate the information that will be on the test. On my first ACT, my math score was way below average, not because I couldn't comprehend the concepts but because I had never been taught, since my Freshmen Algebra teacher concentrated more of "TAKS" math, than "Math-you'll-actually-have-to-use-ever-again."
In the end, the concept behind the end of the year test are not bad, but they are not working. The State of Texas, and all places that require these test, should realize there is a problem and try and solve it. Problem solving is, after all, what they are trying to teach us on these test.
I agree. In washington we have the WASL...
test scores for the WASL are dropping, but classroom curriculum focuses on taking the WASL, so you can only imagine how much people are really learning is dropping.
It is no way to prepare students for college or working life, which is what High School is supposed to do.
Your parents are supposed to teacher about life in college and working, not High School. High School is just to get you the education for a high paying job later in life. High School is a bunch of BS when it come to college prep, unless you go to a college prep High School, which I do.
test are meant to measure learning, because man has an inherit desire to measure everything.
Actually, for many students, public school offers a place to go when their parents are not there.
I don't know about what high school is but every teacher I know is there to help their students be successful in life, not to get them a passing grade because society says so.
I'm offended by your comment because I am going to be a teacher-- not to help kids pass a test or get a high paying job, but to prepare them for what is in store.
Yaye for AP classes and being a senior >>;;;; I always hated taking the TAKS test, it seemed so pointless. And that accursed fish story on the English TAKS way back when!
You are totally right! I also have been taking those TAAS and TAKS tests since elementary and I know what you mean when you said that in the long run you end up learning nothing while attempting to pass the standarized tests. I'm glad I'm a senior now and Thank god I passed all four areas with high scores too, though i dont know if its really because i learned the subject well or because i was simply trained well to pass the test. I guess once I enter college in the spring I'll find our how much I've really learned and how far behind I am. High Schools should prepare students for college not standarized tests!
I have never taken the TAKS neither the TAAS. Im from washington D.C. and every year we were required to take a standerized test call the Stanford 9 The weird thing is that no matter where your from or region in the United States the MAJOR thing we all have in common is that we have to take some poinless test that is given to us by who know who and is left to classify each student not by want they learned but by how smart they are because if you really think about it college admission people look at those tests and if thier not where they fell they should be than you classified as use less to them
general lack of interesting matter and below my aptitude questions that were just awaste of my time, but that's my opinion
so i agree with you
"Things have a life of their own. It's just a matter of waking up their souls."
--Gabriel García Márquez
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
At first I didn't know what you ment by TAKS (Indiana's is ISTEP and it's at the beginning of the year, go figure). I have to agree, those are pretty pointless. The only reason they have them is to see how good a school is. And I hate how teachers and your teacher only prepared you for the TAKS instead of the ACT/SAT, which are FAR more important. And, I hate how most schools only want to get a higher rank in the state. D=
The teacher probably didn't have much say in the matter. At least in WA state, the WASL is part of the curriculum. Literally. The school offers an after school program for the WASL but doesn't have one for math tutoring or history research.
And they won't let the teachers do a thing about.
Let's stand up for our schools.
many students are great in school and have the best grades ever imaginable, and some of those also have something else....they get nervous with big important tests and cant help it. they are bombarded and they fail. then what happens? their grades go down, but not as low as those who have averager or low grades! now thats where many end up failing. i believe it isnt fair. or perhaps, it should be required but for example in my school it is 40% up to 60% of your grade. the more its worth the worse. its unfair for those students who try hard to pass with a C or who work hard enough for straight A's to have colleges see their transcripts and GPA's ruined just because of that one test they were so nervous about.
haha. I hate end of the year standardized tests. we have those in NJ. They don't really prove anything
Lucky for the '09 class at my school. It'll take effect in 2010 within the school's district. . . I think.
Standardized testing pretty much tests you on how well you can take a test, not how much you've learned. The TAKS test is ridiculously easy. All it takes is common sense, and does it really seem like it's testing you on how much you know??
Thing is, my school's curriculum has become diluted. D=
I mean, the AP teachers are fine and all, but from what I've heard from friends that are attending other schools in other districts and states, they said that my school's AP curriculum was equivalent to their regular classes! Yikes. A lot of the teachers at my school have pretty much given up on their students and made it to the point where it is ridicuously easy to pass the class. They just don't know what to do with kids who are apathetic about their education.
I think the purpose of the End-of-the-Year test is to get teachers to step their curriculum a notch and probably in hopes to get kids to actually take their classes seriously. Then again, on the contrary, it isn't fair to students who actually take their education seriously and to teachers who want to teach more than just preparing for these tests.
Kind of a pickle there. . . =/
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". . . it is error upon error, clout upon clout, and our best virtue has for its occasion a superfluous and evitable wretchedness. Our life is frittered away by detail."
-from "Walden" by Henry Thoreau
I am going to say this as someone who is more seasoned. You dont get the right math for college and you dont get the right english either.
This is how it hurts students in College.
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