Since the Hawaii State Assessment (HSA) has been mandated in the early 2000’s, Hawaii’s students have steadily improved. Take my Alma Mater, Hilo High School, and compare the score from 2004 to 2007. The Standard ranking increased from 4.1 to 36.0. The Grade 10 score for Reading Meet or Exceed increased from 41.9 to 57.0. The Grade 10 score for Math Meet or Exceed increased from 19.0 to 24.0. (Hilo) These numbers may seem encouraging, but they are still below meeting standards. In addition, HSA testing incites fear, disgust and apathy among both students and teachers. The majority of 10th graders who are subjected to the exam do not care about the result despite the repercussions of failure and encouragement from the teachers. That placed an unnecessary burden upon the top few students who worked harder to help the school pass the test. Instead of imposing needless, unwanted tests upon students, I propose the money should be reallocated to serve a better purpose such as funding scholarships and supporting families with the high costs of education.
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So we shouldnt encourage testing to weed out those smarter than others? Should we just let anyone and everyone in to college because they want to go? Should it be first come, first served on who gets into UPenn? Testing in this nature is an absolute necessity. These tests benefits those who try and penalizes those that dont. I believe it is a good source of educational spending
ReplyDeleteStandardized testing is flawed and shows little about students knowledge and skills. I defiantly agree that the funds need to be allocated differently. The tests are doing more harm then good especially in Hawaii where the education system is in need of some improving.
ReplyDeleteI agree too.. funds should help people in other ways. The school system is flawed. I took ED 310 a semester ago and found that our school system is "dumbing us down." They set standards for everyone. It is a conforming idea. Everyone learns at different paces. I would never want to learn at the same pace as Einstein. They say local kids can't learn as quick and effecient as kids from the mainland, therefore our test scores are really low. But we all learn differently with different backgrounds. Save the money and put it to a better cause then making a test that no one will give a damn about later.. haha! just my opinion.. and Hilo High is my alma mater as well.. sad that our stats were lower than it is now! haha! i still think that Hilo High is a great school! Vikings pride!
ReplyDelete"The majority of 10th graders who are subjected to the exam do not care about the result" yeah! I agree. I didnt care about my grade when I was in 10th grade. anywayas, I agree to your proposal. funds would help school to have better system, and scholarships would help students and their family help in ways.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know the system here but I have taken standardized test from back home(Palau) like the SAT. I don't think they had any influence on my high school education. I support your cause to allocate these monies to help fund scholarships that can help pay for the high cost of education that students are facing today. I don't see any purpose to any of these tests except to compare schools which can be wrongly interpreted especially if students don't really work their best at taking these tests.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is awesome! I totally agree, get rid of standardized tests that say nothing about a student's academic capabilities.
ReplyDeleteGreat range of comments, folks, and a good forum for debate on the topic. Keep on!
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