Despite the benefits teachers and schools obtain, standardized testing like the FCAT is not effective in evaluating student’s performance because not all students learn at the same level, they fall under pressure, and they are being taught just for the test which prevents from learning skills that are yet to be learned. Admittedly, the FCAT brings benefits to
This allows for a more focused eye on subjects that will be on standardized tests like math and reading. This actually causes a less well-rounded education since teachers have to start teaching to the test. Teaching to test does not cause smarter kids, but instead causes kids to memorize certain parts of a subject while leaving out other subjects like music and art which induce creativity and independence of oneself. So instead of standardized testing, schools should make sure students have a more rounded education which will actually make the kids smarter than when drilling them for standardized tests. (“States Seeks to Block ‘No Child Left Behind’”).
The problem in the school structure that Graff recognizes is lack of persuasion to get students to argue. This holds true in my personal experiences in academics. Despite the fact the educating administration is trying to avoid violent disputes because of arguments, they fail to see that properly structured arguments are the best way to avoid violence. Without the school system instilling the ideas and values of argument, students will lack an outlet for an argument consisting of words and are more likely to resort to violence for resolution. In a section of Gerald’s essay he advocates that educated conversation be shared with uneducated audiences as a basis for understanding any scholarly topic as well as a basis for a strong argument.
Devin Dufrene Essay 4 April 14, 2009 Failure Failure! Some students are afraid of it, Then again some students are given grades and passed anyway. Students should not be given grades and diplomas if they did not learn the necessary information and earn the grade. In this essay I will respond on how I agree with Mary Sherry in “In Praise of the F Word “on how students are hurt later in life First, if student doesn’t learn necessary information in high school he or she will not be able or having a lot off trouble in the after life with college or there new job. In example, if a student gets by in his English class not caring and not trying to learn, but his teacher likes the student so he passed him, when that student goes to college he will have trouble because he doesn’t know how to write a correct essay because he was given the grade.
In “Grades and Money” by Steve Vogel, the author mentions, “… they talk about their grades all the time”(Page 389). Students rarely speak about what they are learning from the course, which is what education is all about. They don’t understand that grades just show if you passed or failed the course. Instead of taking a course that they are interested in, students take courses that they will be able to earn a high grade. “By tying grades to money, we give students incentives not to take risks” (Vogel, 392) that stop them from choosing challenging courses in college.
The first reason the grading policy should not be changed is students/parents would not know their exact grade. For instance, if a parent wants to know how their child is doing in school, they wouldn’t know because the new grading system doesn’t give enough insight (doesn’t break grade down). Also due to the fact that more students pass than fail,
Against School by John Taylor Gatto In his essay Against School, Gatto argues against the school system. He claims that the twelve year schooling program may, in fact, be pointless. He conveys his attitude toward the subject by utilizing words such as boredom, dangerous, dumbed-down—and in the context of a school—trap, warehouse, and wringer. Gatto uses straightforward logic, and argues his case by pointing out a plethora of well-educated people that stand out in history, and yet did not go through the “twelve year wringer.” Presenting himself with certainty, readers are compelled to agree with Gatto on the matter. We blindly accept that we must go through a twelve year schooling program, but Gatto asks us why this is necessary.
Making it on your own At times people tend to work well while they are under pressure. To others they simply must be under pressure to get work done and give their full effort. In her article In Praise of the F Word, Mary Sherry argues “Flunking as a regular policy has just as much merit today as it did two generations ago. We must review the threat of flunking and see it as it really is- a positive teaching too.” By making it clear to students that flunking can definitely be a result of them not putting in the time and effort in assuring they pass their class will make them more determined to learn and earn their good grades, it will also help stop those students who choose not to even try in their classes. Also by making students fear failure it will not only motivate them
Students do not realize that plagiarizing someone else’s work is actually stealing. The educational system does not teach this to students. The educational system should teach that you have to cite an author even if you just take their idea and do not use their exact words. The online companies that generate essays for students should be outlawed. This is making it where students that have a lot of money can easily get by with actually learning how to write correctly.
Standardized test does not improve education. Punitive consequences achieve temporary compliance at the cost of demoralizing teachers and students. (citation) Standardized testing whether you agree with it or out it will continue to be used. There will always be argument when it comes to whether standardized test are assessment-driven reform, standards-based assessment, assessment-centered accountability; and high-stakes consequences. Standardized testing has both positive and negative aspects and when used effectively can play a significant role in bettering the education of our student.