High stakes assessments

There is a huge debate about if high-stakes tests are worthy and reliable for students to check their knowledge.

Each educational expert has his own opinion, but according to the results of studies and pools carried by different organizations and in different places it seems that there is not consensus about this issue.

Different sources I consulted agreed on one point: more research is needed to come up with a realistic conclusion about the effectiveness of high-stakes test.

Many people in the US agreed that standard test are a good tool to measure students' progress, but teachers should also have this type of evaluation to check their teaching performance.

One of the main concerns are the amount of testing and the effects that tests have on students' learning. Generally the idea of having a single test to evaluate students' knowledge is not well accepted since this measure can not let us know the reality of the learning process of each student. 

Stress and anxiety are the main factor that can interfere in the results of the test, do not let us know the real learning achievement that each student has.

A study from Education week affirms that there is a positive relationship between high stake test and a higher achievement. This study shows that implement an standard based program has been associated with a knowledge increment, especially in the math area. To obtain reliable results, the person responsible of the test has to take in consideration the impact of the test in all social groups and the accommodations that some students may required (LS and ESL).

Teaching to a test

Is teaching to a test a good method to increase students' learning? Some experts state that teaching to a test, always you teach according to a good curriculum can be very positive to students. On the other hand, if the curriculum is not well organized and it just cover the aspect that can appear on the test, it will be a waste of time since students will just memorize the content for the test.

As an assistant I observed how the majority of teachers do not have several test, but they measure students' progress by some questions or projects before the final test for the unit. It is a practice that can let them know which students' performance are and act according to the results. The lessons are planned according to the standards, but each teacher can add some aspects if they think that could be interesting for the students. 

In conclusion, we can say that the teaching strategy (teach for the test or not) will be positive or negative depending on many factors being the most important the curriculum that the teacher follows (if it is a complete and well develop and organized one or not).

References

High-stakes testing and effects on instruction: Research review (nd). Retrieved November 15,2015 from http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Instruction/High-stakes-testing-and-effects-on-instruction-At-a-glance/High-stakes-testing-and-effects-on-instruction-Research-review.html

Appropiate used of High-Stakes testing in our Nation's schools. (nd). Retrieved November 15,2015 from http://www.apa.org/pubs/info/brochures/testing.aspx

National centre for education statistics (nd). Retrieved November 15,2015 from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=1