Standardized Testing

NAPLAN is here to stay.  As I mentioned in my presentation, I don’t necessarily agree with standardized testing and understand the ugly and impractical side of the testing.  However, what the testing is providing for me is some interesting data.  SMART the program that ACT schools use to analyse the data provides user friendly graphs and information for classroom teachers to use.  The interesting thing for me is that the data has been incredibly accurate.  The students that the data identifies as low in literacy and numeracy are invariably low and equally as important the students who are high are invariably high.  I have been able to use this information to give me a broad overview of who is in my class and the differentiation required for high and low students in my class. As a result I have been able to support my students better and scaffold their learning to get better outcomes.  I understand the arguments against standardized testing but have also seen the benefits it has provided me with in the classroom.  Of course I am able to identify these students through my own assessment and analysis in class but again that is not my argument.  If we are made to take the tests then lets use the data productively.

Advertisement