Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Education

Sancho

(9,106 posts)

3. The biggest problem is that teachers can't talk about what's on the test...

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Thu Apr 23, 2015, 07:06 AM

Apr 2015

so the test must be a set of items that no one teaches.

This is completely contrary to the prescriptive-learning that research has demonstrated works.

What's even more insidious. The test makers don't like items what everyone "gets right" or everyone "gets wrong". They prefer items that about half the student get right. That way, they can separate the good students from the bad in a shorter test without wasting items and time.

If teachers teach a concept that is on the test and the students start getting it, then the next version of the test drops those items. Over time, the test becomes a test of nothing that's being taught!

Fun and games in education!!

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

This Article May Be Illegal: Lifting the Veil of Silence on Standardized Testing [View all] eridani Apr 2015 OP

What about that rare child with a photographic memory? JDPriestly Apr 2015 #1

To be honest: I would also claim copyright. For very practical reasons. DetlefK Apr 2015 #2

Which is an excellent reason why for-profit testing should go straight to hell eridani Apr 2015 #4

The biggest problem is that teachers can't talk about what's on the test... Sancho Apr 2015 #3