The newest update on state testing is that school districts may be allowed to choose their own standardized test for this school year. While this seems like a step up from Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC), it is still causing stress among educators. Districts are now scrambling to determine if they have a test that would be the same caliber and measure as Smarter Balanced. According to edsource.org, the director of research and evaluation at Elk Grove Unified stated, “At this point, we would be crunched for time to build one, and we don’t know if it would be approved…” so they have decided to move forward with the shortened version of SBAC.
With so many districts operating with many students 100% online, there are questions about how to securely test students and the authenticity of test scores. My question is, why in 2021 are we still depending on standardized testing to determine the academic performance of students.
I agree that students need to be competent with basic academic skills, but as Dr. Bill Daggett states, "they are essential, but not adequate". I think when it comes to accountability we need to focus outside of the standardized box and look beyond basic academic success to prepare students for real life. For the world and jobs that will exist when they leave high school, so they are college and career ready. The 21st Century skills one needs to be successful in the world outside of school are:
Complex problem solving
Critical thinking
Creativity
People management
Coordinating with others
Emotional intelligence
Active listening
Service orientation
Negotiation
Cognitive flexibility
Instead of wasting instructional time on preparing for and taking standardized tests shouldn’t we focus on the efficacy of our students to demonstrate these skills? Instead of standardized tests, we can assess through presentations similar to TED talks, academic portfolios where students demonstrate their skills, or give students choice on creating and innovating to demonstrate their skills. Assessing through nonstandard means would demand students to take control of their learning and challenge to rise up to the challenge of demonstrating their skills.
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