I wish I could make the argument as well as it is presented here. A link to Oliver’s 18 minute segment is included. Worth your time if you want some background or validation on why so many people are worried about the increase in standardized testing.
“One of the problems with nations that become obsessed with standardized testing is that eventually test scores do rise, but at a very great cost. Over time, the psychological stress and self-doubt John Oliver described intensifies and becomes part of what a nation considers to be normal..”
Comedian John Oliver did an excellent job this week, highlighting some of the many problems with Standardized Testing (see full video). At one point he focused on the international testing and publishing giant Pearson, describing the monopoly they have over tests, texts, teacher training and student assessment.
At the end of the segment he asked why, if standardized testing is so important, has it not led to a corresponding rise in America’s international test scores? One of the problems with nations that become obsessed with standardized testing is that eventually test scores do rise, but at a very great cost. Over time, the psychological stress and self-doubt Oliver described intensifies and…
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Lorie Smith Schaefer 