Re: mcas -- Dracut Information Resource Forum

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 07:51:20 06/05/01 Tue
Author: Mary
Subject: Re: mcas
In reply to: ann marie 's message, "Re: mcas" on 18:45:20 06/04/01 Mon

I agree, the MCAS is in many ways counter-productive. Learning is much more complex than just drilling facts into the heads of children. Actually, knowledge is best achieved by a more indepth perception of the subject. Children retain information best by applying it to something meaningful, whether this means games, example, or experience. When a teacher is forced to "teach to the test", many of the best techniques are put aside just to make sure children pass this test, which may or may not be fair in the first place.

Another downside to testing as an indicator of knowledge is looking at children as individuals. Many children (and adults) have trouble taking tests, not only the learning disabled, but everyone. Test anxiety is a real issue, and should not be taken lightly.

Testing alone has never been proven to be a valid measurement of knowledge or intelligence. There are many factors involved when one measures something so complex and subjective. I agree that education needs a boost. But the MCAS is, unfortunately, not the answer. I think there are many other ways to solve this problem, by using creative and innovative techniqes that let children be excited about what they are learning.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Aaaaaaargh....the absurdity of it all. -- Fuji, 10:51:00 06/05/01 Tue

Re: Aaaaaaargh....the absurdity of it all. -- Number 7 with an extra order of fry - lice prease, 20:22:48 06/07/01 Thu

Re: Aaaaaaargh....the absurdity of it all. -- Fuji-san, 09:41:55 06/08/01 Fri