As a child I had a very difficult time in school. I was diagnosed with A.D.D. in the second grade and had difficulty on all types of tests, especially standardized ones. I took the S.A.T.s twice and got the same score but switched my math and verbal. I feel that elementary and middle school children should not take standardized tests until maybe 8th grade. These tests bring on so much stress at such an early age. There are so many other ways to asses childrens' learning. A child's learning is dependent upon everything and all 8 multiple intelligences. Formal and informal observations, portfolios and subject tests, discussions and write-ups test to see what children have learned though may not necessarily test IQ. I think that in high school and college is the appropriate time to utilize standardized testing. There are a lot of different factors that will affect the standardized testings cores. The variables of how the children are feeling, how much rest they had, home conditions, testing conditions, etc.
In Ireland since 2007 they have administered standardized tests in math and science at the end of the first year OR at the beginning of second year and at the end of fourth year or at the beginning of the fifth year. They have several different types of tests to choose from based on the curriculum.
I agree with you because at this point in life they are learning, they should not be forced to memorize material for testing. Children have enough pressure in life especially at a young age.that shouldn't be worried if they passed a test just to pass to the next grade.
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