U.S. teachers place too much emphasis on preparation for Standardized testing vs. Joy of learning

Class 601

Ms. Tracey Steele

Introduction:

Standardized testing is not helpful for either students or teachers. Standardized testing is not only damaging to students’ ability to learn, but teachers’ ability to teach. As stated by Lacorya Lynn, “the joy of learning is gone, and many truly do not care”. It makes teaching a true challenge.

Teachers, as well as students, are realizing that standardized testing and federal programs are having a negative impact on classrooms and learning experience. During the school year, most teachers complain that the material taught is simply for passing an exam, not necessarily what students’ will need in life depending on their career path.

Task:

Your task is to work collaboratively to create either a google slideshow, a poster board, or a 3-5 minute video to:

● Teach your school community on what you’ve learned about the pressures of standardized testing vs. joy of learning.

● Explain to your school community why it is important to have fun learning and what is the purpose of standardized testing.

● Develop solutions to aid teachers in making learning fun and enjoyable vs. drilling in order to pass Standardized Test.

Process:

To complete this project, you will need to follow the six steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA)Tool.

Resources:

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/educators-feel-growing-pressure-for-students-to-perform-well-on-standardized-tests/2023/09

Teachers and Standardized Testing Pressure - ThoughtCo

https://www.edutopia.org/article/psychological-toll-high-stakes-testing/#:~:text=Some%20young%20students%20experience%20%E2%80%9Canxiety,%2C%20and%20love%20of%20learning.%E2%80%9D

Blank Templates of PPA worksheets

1. Define the Problem: Worksheet#1

2. Gather the Evidence: Worksheet #2

3. Identify the Causes: Worksheet #3

4. Evaluate an Existing Policy: Worksheet #4

Develop Solutions: Worksheet #5

Select the Best Solution: Worksheet#6

Evaluation (Rubrics)

Oral Presentation Rubric: Importance of Standardized Test vs. Joy of learning

Teacher Name: Ms. Steele

Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Comprehension	Student is able to accurately answer almost all questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is able to accurately answer most questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is able to accurately answer a few questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is unable to accurately answer questions posed by classmates about the topic.
Speaks Clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100-95%) the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most (94-85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Often mumbles or cannot be understood OR mispronounces more than one word.
Posture and Eye Contact	Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation.	Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact.	Slouches and/or does not look at people during the presentation.
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.

Making A Poster: Frequent Standardized Testing vs. Joy of Learning

Teacher Name: Ms. Steele

Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Use of Class Time	Used time well during each class period. Focused on getting the project done. Never distracted others.	Used time well during each class period. Usually focused on getting the project done and never distracted others.	Used some of the time well during each class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others.	Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted others.
Graphics - Relevance	All graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. All borrowed graphics have a source citation.	All graphics relate to the topic. Most borrowed graphics have a source citation.	Graphics do not relate to the topic OR several borrowed graphics do not have a source citation.
Attractiveness	The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness.	The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.	The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy.	The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Grammar	There are no grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There is 1 grammatical mistake on the poster.	There are 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.	There are more than 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.

Conclusion:

When you prepare the students’ on how to take the test, the test becomes an accurate measurement not of one’s knowledge, but of how well one can take a test. Teachers have a small window of time to cover all the lessons that will be covered in one or more tests. Therefore, it is common that so much emphasis is placed on standardized test results that teachers are spending more and more time “teaching to the test”. So this leaves only time for preparing for the test, instead of leaving room for learning new and/or important things.