Breaking The Standard

It is scary to think that the best interest of our government is the primary concern when it comes to standardized testing, yet we are brainwashed to believe that it is the best interest of our children and educators that we are taking in to consideration. When it comes right down to it, it is really just a numbers issue. Which schools should have increased funding? Which schools’ funding should be cut? How do we distribute all of our tax payers’ money?

It has been proven time and time again that our kids DO NOT benefit from such testing practices. Shouldn’t we do something about this?

In my mind, what is even more selfish is advanced placement programs that pluck out the verbally and mathematically intelligent at a young age so that they can hone in our their skills while other kids are left in the dust. Perhaps the reasoning behind this is many in Washington feel those who succeed verbally and mathematically will better benefit society in the long run? What about the kids who are great in the arts? Communication skills? Sports? I’ve said it before: try asking those questions to such change makers as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fosse, Michelangelo, or Jesse Owens. I hope everyone agrees with me that many skills out side of linguistics and mathematics are important to the functionality of our society.

This is a bigger issue than we choose to believe, so please, the least you can do is think about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2nBRyBfwQM&eurl=http://www.chipotle.com/assets/video-contest/origami.html

A perfect example of brilliant student work that is not the product of a faulty educational system and standardized testing.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VGow8ut5_34

Barack Obama on NCLB and standardized testing.

“To many, education is seen as the catalyst by which society reaches knowledge, but more and more the typical standards of education do not allow people to reach such knowledge.”

-Nathan Tracy, ex-student

Will someone please explain to me why it is a good idea to assume that some children are more “intelligent” than others, and then ship them off to “special schools” where they can get the best education possible, with the best teachers possible, leaving the other “normal” children in the dust. I don’t get it and I certainly don’t think it is fair, or beneficial for that matter.

“Our children are tested to an extent that is unmatched in the history of our society.”
-Jonathan Pollard

Who would have thought that college for me consists of getting to throw parties, and getting graded for it. Lucky for me I knew from a young age that I could find something I like and turn it into something I benefit from. All those numbers kids from grade school that were “so smart” get to stare at excel spread sheets all day. I don’t think I’m making any sense–too tired to think.

It absolutely astonishes me that so many people, in fact everyone that I have talked to regarding this issue, is against standardized testing. Everyone from students, to educators, to parents. Read every comment on this blog: people give their own personal experiences with this evil form of standardization. Not a single person has actually posed an argument for it.

I cant help but ask myself, why in the hell do policy makers love it so much then?

Per my last post, perhaps I should give my own personal account of how schools should ideally run.

***Please note that I say ideal and recognize the fact that this is not yet realistic in our society.

I was always a good student. Not great, but good. I paid attention, respected my fellow classmates and teachers, and always did the homework. However, I struggled in math and reading, so my parents hired a tutor throughout most of my elementary school education. When it came time to select a high school, I was fortunate enough  that my parents opted for private school, rather than throwing me into the wind and letting me land at some public school forty five minutes from my house.

That fall, I began at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, a private middle and high school emphasizing individual learning styles, the arts, sciences, and global citizenship. It was the first place in my academic career that let me emphasize on my artistic and analytical abilities, rather than my poor math scores (although I was required to take such class of course).

Seattle Academy helped me understand that I do have intelligences outside of math and language. Furthermore, it provided me with the tools to learn in a creative manner, designed to my specific needs and wants as a student, rather than forcing me to learn to a bubble test, like the majority of children today.

Because of Seattle Academy, I was able to communicate my true intelligences to my college of choice, rather than letting my poor test scores choose a college for me. At Seattle Academy, our art programs weren’t cut because of the No Child Left Behind Act, and our student teacher ratio allowed me to form life-long friendships with well respected professionals.

And it was Seattle Academy that wouldn’t let my recluse little brother fall through the cracks. I am now proud to say that he recieved a hefty scholarship to one of the best art schools in the country, which will allow him to comfortably pursue his passion.