Teacher evaluation is necessary; it is a needed part of overall education reform. But – teacher testing is not the solution to improve schools. The current model of evaluating teachers, students, and schools, based on a snapshot test, results in counter-intuitive results, counter-productive teaching, and damaging practices to the entire school system. There are better ways to improve teaching outcomes and evaluate teacher performance. Continue reading “Testing Does Not Measure Teacher Effectiveness “
Tag: Multiple Choice
Multiple Choice Tests: All of the Above
When addressing the validity of multiple-choice tests, there are many things to be concerned about. Multiple choice testing can be many things to many students.
- Multiple Choice Testing (MCT) is a means to conformity
- MCT can cover a great amount of material in a single test
- MCT can also lead to student confusion with poorly constructed prompts
- MCT can also be “beaten” by the experienced student
- MCT does not address complex understanding of the given topic
- All of the above.
1) A MEANS TO CONFORMITY: Every child will take at least one high stakes standardized test in his or her life. From the S.A.T. to state standardized testing, MCT is unavoidable in the current education system. Therefore, regardless of the content, there is an educational benefit to a teacher offering MCT in everyday curriculum. Students must learn to take this type of test. While conformity is not always desired, it does allow schools across the country to assess the abilities of one student against the next in an equal and uniform way.
David Orace Kelly 