Sunday, October 23, 2011
Lily Garcia/Standarized Testing Strikes Again
In "Standardized Testing and Its Victims," (2000) Alfie Kohn addresses the theory that children of monetary privilege and majority race are more apt to score highly upon standardized tests, thus rendering aforementioned tests incredibly biased against those of lesser means and minority background. Kohn expresses his intense distaste for such examinations by stating his comprehensive opinion of standardized testing, presenting his reader with a series of undeniable factoids, and then segueing into the idea that standardized examinations are both biased against minority and impoverished students, and that they promote demoralizing, teach-to-the-test instruction within low-income schools. The author utilizes sharp and often acrimonious criticism, as well as piquant, flavorful language in order to raise awareness of this issue, in hope of igniting change. Kohn addresses an educated audience by establishing immediate ethos as well as pathos through his presentation of numerous truths, proving his knowledgeable background, and making his argument all the more persuasive.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the author and his beliefs regarding standardized testing. The SATs and ACTs in particular contain knowledge that many students around the country simply are not provided access to because of their geographical location and economic situation. It is absolutely impossible create a test that is entirely equilateral in nature when in pertinence to race and monetary standing. Each student is a unique individual with unique thought processes, and unique talents. It is my opinion that no test could ever be designed to encapsulate an entire student's worth and capability. This absolutely also promotes teach-to-the-test methods of education within school systems as discussed with in the article, because in modern society, high standardized test scores truly are necessary for continued success. The system of true learning has thus suffered an irreversible blow.
ReplyDeleteI think that there is some truth to what the author is saying because better educated people would quite obviously score better on standardized testing as they are more prepared. In our country many of the people who can afford are indeed in the Caucasian majority. If the only point of the SATs is to help colleges choose students based on their ability to think logically and apply knowledge, I think that the same information could be gathered from the students performance in school. In this was a smart upper class student will be able to demonstrate their abilities in the same way that a less privileged person can. This way the value of a persons intelligence is detailed in a comprehensive profile as opposed to just a number.
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