Beyond the Bubble

The article Beyond the Bubble Tests focused on standardized testing. Assessment 2.0 "Next-Generation" takes a closer look at comprehensive assessment systems. The main focus of these assessments are to improve student outcomes for their future. Instead of simple questions that take a mere minute or two to complete, these tests will involve critical and comprehensive thinking in order to complete. Challenging the students is the most important part because by doing that it ensures that they are being taught. Instead of "teaching for the test" or "selecting the right multiple choice answer" teachers are teaching students how to analyze different problems and apply it to what they know. We only talked briefly in class about assessments; however, we stressed the importance of testing as long as its purpose is met. There isn't just one way to test students, but no matter the method being used it needs to actually accomplish its purpose. Which I feel isn't always the case with some teachers in various schools.

I believe that adopting Common Core Standards across states could be extremely beneficial. The purpose is so that it provides a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so that teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. Without having a clear idea of what needs to be covered it's merely impossible to prepare and help the students succeed. We have always been taught to set goals so that we know where we would like to be and what we need to do to get there. Common Core State Standards in my mind, is a goal that we are setting for our future, and if we are all on the same page it can only benefit the students.

All of that being said, implementing Common Core Standards across states may be extremely difficult. Every school district has a different philosophy and a way at looking at things. It may be difficult for everyone to agree on what is the "correct" way to approach testing. If it could be done I think it could be very beneficial, I just think it may be difficult to get to that point. I'm also not sure if common assessments for students in all states would be both valid and reliable. Without understanding how each school operates, it's hard to say if the standardized tests would be reliable or not.

The standardized tests are geared to the core classes: math, reading, writing, etc. and not so much on Business Education. With the growing use of technology and the popularity of business classes, I have a feeling that in the future there is going to be common core standards for business as well. If it's happening in other subjects and it's implemented correctly, there's only time until it happens across the board for all classes.


http://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/assessment-20-next-generation-comprehensive-assessment-systems

http://www.corestandards.org/