Testing for Intelligence?

When I think about assessing children, I can understand that we need to know where children are not only academically, but also on a social-emotional level.  We not only need to make sure that young children can read and understand basic math, we also need to know that they are doing alright making friends and interacting with their peers.  They need to be able to work out differences with others and be able to enter a group and work together.  I do believe that some standardized testing is appropriate to find out where children are so that we can help them get to the level they should be performing at.  I also think about our reading this week and how everyone learns at different rates.  We need to meet children where they are or in their zone of proximal development and help them reach their potential.  We also need to help them with social skills and emotion regulation.  We also need to consider their culture and home life and work with families.  We have to build relationships with the children and their families to understand what each child may need to help them reach their full potential. 

I took a look at an article about high stakes testing in England.  The article is from 2008 and it talks a lot about how much standardized testing takes place in that country.  It mentions that schools are teaching to the tests (Cassidy, 2008).  I think we have also been accused of doing that here in the United States as well.  Children are put under a lot of pressure to perform and get high scores on these tests.  In England there seems to be a lot of pressure on students.  The article also talks about a parent that took her children out of the public school system and is home schooling her children because of the high amount of tests (Cassidy, 2008).  Her children were doing well, but now they are enjoying learning and are not under the pressure they once were.  The article also highlights testing in France, Italy, and Germany. 

I work for Head Start and I can remember when we were using the NRS or National Reporting System to assess our children.  This was a standardized test for preschoolers.  I was certified to administer this test and did so one year.  It was awful!  To sit and ask four year olds to answer questions and to subject them to this type of test was so not developmentally appropriate.  There are much better ways to find out what these children know.  I was so happy when they discontinued its use and we no longer have to administer this test.  There are reports that talk about how Head Start doesn’t help children and families and there are those reports that tell how much Head Start does.  As a teacher in this program, I know that we make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve each year.  My own children remember their teacher and I know that she had an impact on their lives.  Not only did my children benefit from the program, I found a career path that I love! 

Reference:

Cassidy, S.  (February 8, 2008).  Our children tested to destruction English primary school pupils subjected to more tests than in any other country.  Retrieved December 10, 2011 from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/our-children-tested-to-destruction-779790.html