We cannot continue overlooking problems and think they will disappear. Last week, I began a new job as a math tutor in an elementary school. I enjoy working with my students, but I cannot ignore my issues with the teaching style prevalent at this school (and many other schools). Our students are being tested to death, and teachers are no longer teaching students. They are teaching tests. Therefore, our students are not learning how to think critically. They are only learning process of elimination, and some of them aren’t even learning that.
Test taking skills are valuable. You will need strategies when taking standardized tests that are meant to trip you up. These skills will help our students pass the abundance of tests they will take during their school careers, but they are not preparing students for college or the real world. Jobs, no matter how menial, require thinking beyond letters and bubble sheets. As far as college preparation, of the 133 credit hours I took in undergrad, I remember taking five classes at the most that had multiple choice tests, and they were difficult. I’m not completely opposed to multiple choice tests, but students need to develop skills beyond “slash and circle.”
I think there is an overall lack of agency surrounding the issue of public education in this country. Right now, people are so consumed with the economy, and for good reason. Unfortunately, it seems that there’s no room to advocate for students. Well, this is the truth: If we continue to ignore the fact that these tests are ruining our students’ critical thinking capability we can forget about ever coming out of this recession. What kinds of jobs will these children be qualified to do? Our natural resources are running out. The earth is becoming more crowded. People need food, medicine, and sustainable development. We need to be developing the next generation of problem solvers. This world is changing, and if we don’t get with it, we are going to get lost.
