The case for alternative testing...

The case for alternative testing methods laid out in the video from Edutopia is not necessarily a novel one.  It is pointed out numerous times in the video that once students reach the "real world," performance is no longer measured by a score on a multiple choice bubble test.  This is obviously true: in the post graduate workforce critical thinking skills, the ability to work on a team, and being able to create a polished final product are the attributes that describe a good employee.  All this begs the question of why we evaluate students by handing them a standardized test.

The answer to the question of why we give standardized tests is in the name.  While projects and "holistic" based assessments may be beneficial to the students learning, there needs to be a method to differentiate the students, i.e., separate those who firmly grasp the material versus those who do not.  In an individual classroom setting this may be easily done using these alternative testing methods, but in a larger setting, such as across a school district or a state, it would be difficult to impose the exacting standard equally on all students.  Of course, standardized tests can be utilized not only  to show how students measure up, but also to track teacher performance.  This use (testing the teachers) is noted in a 2002 CNN article entitled " Cheat sheet for parents on testing," written by Audrey Schewe.  The article also highlights the importance of standardized testing to asses school performance from state to state.  Thus, both types of testing have a role.  Perhaps there should be greater emphasize on alternative testing to teach the student to work in a team and give the student other useful skills, but there will always be a need for standardized testing to sort out students of different academic abilities.

This summer at Holly Springs, I feel that there will be a great opportunity to utilize alternative testing methods.  Summer school is unique in that it provides a school that is somewhat free of the necessity of standardized testing.  The major obstacle however will be funding.  Unfortunately, many of the projects shown in the video clip require resources that are unrealistic at Holy Springs.  Nevertheless, I would like to incorporate theses alternative testing methods in my summer school class because of the skill sets they build, specifically team work and presentation skills.