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I don't know the answer because I'm not more than superficially familiar with the education system in other nations. Plus, I don't want to be "like Japan" or "like Germany". We're a different country with different traditions.
But just out of curiosity, if they have so much less testing, how are we sure how well they are doing?
You beat me to it! As I have learned in my own profession (health care) it is very difficult to make comparisons between countries for many reasons.
I don't know the answer because I'm not more than superficially familiar with the education system in other nations. Plus, I don't want to be "like Japan" or "like Germany". We're a different country with different traditions.
But just out of curiosity, if they have so much less testing, how are we sure how well they are doing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Katarina Witt
You beat me to it! As I have learned in my own profession (health care) it is very difficult to make comparisons between countries for many reasons.
Good points! You can't compare without similar tests. But even with similar tests, there are still too many other variables. For example, in PA, many parents are holding their child out of the PSSA tests. These are the standardized tests administered in PA public schools in grades 3-8. How valid are the comparisons if one school has 100% participation and another school has 50% participation? How do you know that certain students are not being encouraged not to take the test?
Regarding comparisons, we compare countries, but how reliable and valid are state comparisons? It seems like a good idea to have competition among states but is it possible?
Good points! You can't compare without similar tests. But even with similar tests, there are still too many other variables. For example, in PA, many parents are holding their child out of the PSSA tests. These are the standardized tests administered in PA public schools in grades 3-8. How valid are the comparisons if one school has 100% participation and another school has 50% participation? How do you know that certain students are not being encouraged not to take the test?
Regarding comparisons, we compare countries, but how reliable and valid are state comparisons? It seems like a good idea to have competition among states but is it possible?
Doesn't competition motivate people to do a better job, regardless or whether it is a student, teacher, athlete, coach, etc.? As a coach, why would I look for better coach techniques and strategies if I wasn't competing against other teams?
I've probably told this story on here before but in my 8th grade history class, the teacher rearranged our desks after every 6 week grading period. We were seated according to our grade for the previous report card with the highest grade in the first seat in the first row, all the way to the lowest grade in the last seat in the last row. It motivated me to study for each test and get the first seat or at least one in the first row.
Doesn't competition motivate people to do a better job, regardless or whether it is a student, teacher, athlete, coach, etc.? As a coach, why would I look for better coach techniques and strategies if I wasn't competing against other teams?
I've probably told this story on here before but in my 8th grade history class, the teacher rearranged our desks after every 6 week grading period. We were seated according to our grade for the previous report card with the highest grade in the first seat in the first row, all the way to the lowest grade in the last seat in the last row. It motivated me to study for each test and get the first seat or at least one in the first row.
No, I don't agree that competition is the answer to everything.
And to be honest, the students who are struggling the most ought to be in the front of the classroom.
so im in jiffy lube the other day and i overhear the employee telling a lady that her friend's husband got arrested the other night at parent teacher conference. she said that his 5th grade daughter was reading at a Kindergarten level and hearing that caused him to flip out and turn over a chair. she said he was so mad because nobody told him about his daughter being so behind until then. im thinking, what the hell is she talking about. even if you are not a particularly involved parent; there are the standardized MAP tests that the kids have been taking since 1st grade (maybe Kindergarten). just from that you should have a good idea where your kid stands. i dont know how anyone can dislike tests. this guy was obviously a total moron on top of being a bad parent.
For those wondering how you can measure international student achievement, check out PISA and TIMMS.
Again you don't know how another country finagles scores, or even just defines things differently. The US tests all kids, some countries just test a subset, some don't do special ed kids, etc.
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