Assessing Children

When testing school-aged children these days, most tests do not assess the whole child. The typical standardized test only focuses on how much a child can retain. They don’t look at a child’s physical, social, and cognitive development together. These tests don’t help educators learn more about the student’s they are teaching. Instead, they let administration know how much money/assistance they will receive for the upcoming school year.

As an educator, we should focus on the whole child. We should teach the whole child and help the child develop successfully. However, this is rarely thought of after the age of 5 it seems. Subjectively we assess children every day. We watch how they interact with their peers and other adults (social), we observe how they hold a pencil and walk down the hall (physical), and then we observe their learning abilities (cognitive). I wonder if there will ever be an objective assessment to monitor a child’s development holistically. But then again, would that really be necessary? Would a child benefit if his/her scores were in a certain range? Just an interesting thought.

In doing this assignment, I had a difficult time finding out other children are assessed in different countries. While doing my research I did learn that there are children who do not take standardized tests and are doing extremely well. In Finland, education is provided to all and teachers and principals are held in the highest esteem (Asia Society, 2010). Standardized testing was abolished in the 1980s, so teachers are able to be more creative with their lessons. They have the freedom to choose their own materials and they focus on a smaller number of objectives compared to the United States. Teachers are required to have a master’s degree and they are well supported during the school year (Rushowy, 2010).

Would it be possible for the United States to provide equal education to all? Or will the “better off” children continue to have more opportunities than those living in poverty? Just another thought.

For more information about Finland’s educational system, please read:

What accounts for Finland’s high student achievement rate? (2010). Retrieved from the Asia Society website: http://asiasociety.org/education-learning/learning-world/what-accounts-finlands-high-student-achievement-rate

Gamerman, E. (2008). What makes Finnish kids so smart? Retrieved from the Wall Street Journal website: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120425355065601997.html

Rushowy, K. (2010). Finland’s secrets to educational success. Retrieved from http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/article/861076--finland-s-secrets-to-educational-success