EducationEducation

EducationEducation

Formal education – formal academic studies and Formal education – formal academic studies and schoolsschools

It can also refer to admirable human qualities that It can also refer to admirable human qualities that one acquires out of classroom one acquires out of classroom

Consider the larger aims of educationConsider the larger aims of education

That aims of education vary across cultures and timeThat aims of education vary across cultures and time

It is thus important to have a clear parameter It is thus important to have a clear parameter when you are answering essay questions – are when you are answering essay questions – are you talking about Singapore/ developed you talking about Singapore/ developed countries? Are you discussing formal countries? Are you discussing formal education? education?

Purposes of EducationPurposes of Education

To put it simply, it refers to the To put it simply, it refers to the reason to reason to send children to schoolsend children to school

Education does not have a single goal; in fact, Education does not have a single goal; in fact, it serves multiple objectivesit serves multiple objectives

We attend school not just to fill our minds We attend school not just to fill our minds with knowledge but in the process of with knowledge but in the process of acquiring these textbook knowledge, we also acquiring these textbook knowledge, we also build our character, sharpen our critical eye build our character, sharpen our critical eye and expand our minds. and expand our minds.

So it is just about So it is just about getting a job?getting a job?

We’ve often been told that education is the ticket We’ve often been told that education is the ticket to employment, good pay and a bright futureto employment, good pay and a bright future

Pragmatic thus far.Pragmatic thus far.

A person must still be equipped for a job so that A person must still be equipped for a job so that he can earn a living and at the same time he can earn a living and at the same time contribute to the society of which he is a membercontribute to the society of which he is a member

Employers still look at certification to ascertain the Employers still look at certification to ascertain the applicant’s capability – applicant’s capability – objective and easierobjective and easier

From the perspective of the government - From the perspective of the government - Contribute to economy hence need to Contribute to economy hence need to prepare the young for the workforceprepare the young for the workforce

Overall skill level of the local labour force is Overall skill level of the local labour force is one of the key drivers of local job growth and one of the key drivers of local job growth and wage growth [Singapore – knowledge based wage growth [Singapore – knowledge based economy]economy]

Better equipped for more job opportunities – Better equipped for more job opportunities – productivity will improve – boost economyproductivity will improve – boost economy

However nowadays the skills mastered in However nowadays the skills mastered in order to get those qualifications are now order to get those qualifications are now getting redundant in the workplacegetting redundant in the workplace

Why??Why??

Students end up learning skills that are Students end up learning skills that are examinable but are ultimately redundantexaminable but are ultimately redundant

And as a result? And as a result?

New graduates cannot match the New graduates cannot match the expectations of the current job market and expectations of the current job market and governments also struggle to grow their governments also struggle to grow their economies to increase the number of jobs to economies to increase the number of jobs to meet demandmeet demand

What’s wrong with skills that are examinable – What’s wrong with skills that are examinable – fixated on content specific curricula because it is fixated on content specific curricula because it is so much easier to quantify, assesss and deem so much easier to quantify, assesss and deem ready for the working worldready for the working world

Can be memorised, serves no real application in Can be memorised, serves no real application in real lifereal life

But the world is changing at an exponentially But the world is changing at an exponentially increasing rate increasing rate anything remotely content anything remotely content specific is likely to be redundant almost as fastspecific is likely to be redundant almost as fast

Eg: in United Kingdom, there has been a Eg: in United Kingdom, there has been a problem of too many graduates to the point problem of too many graduates to the point where it was common to find construction where it was common to find construction workers who possessed Masters degreesworkers who possessed Masters degrees

Unless society finds a new way to assess the Unless society finds a new way to assess the competency of people they hire, certification competency of people they hire, certification would still be the primary mode of determining would still be the primary mode of determining worth - objective way/ tried and tested worth - objective way/ tried and tested

People would expect that education would provide People would expect that education would provide them with the abilities needed for future careersthem with the abilities needed for future careers

The only way forward is for education to The only way forward is for education to encompass life skills related to social emotional encompass life skills related to social emotional learning, which would allow students to better learning, which would allow students to better manage themselves and their relationships with manage themselves and their relationships with othersothers

Such perennial skills would also enable Such perennial skills would also enable students to cope with the rapidly changing students to cope with the rapidly changing world and respond with stability when it is world and respond with stability when it is called for.called for.

Hence what would be useful is a strategy for Hence what would be useful is a strategy for life – life – to prepare students for life to prepare students for life

The young need to be educated in skills The young need to be educated in skills that could serve an individual for life that could serve an individual for life like creativity and teamwork as well as a like creativity and teamwork as well as a capacity for perceiving responsibility capacity for perceiving responsibility with compassion with compassion

Life skills Life skills

Some examples include allowing failure, Some examples include allowing failure, experimentation, creativity and innovation, experimentation, creativity and innovation, ability to communicate with others, independent ability to communicate with others, independent etc etc

Common call for change to education from Common call for change to education from celebrities to distinguished experts [Steve Jobs, celebrities to distinguished experts [Steve Jobs, JK Rowling, Jim Carrey etc]JK Rowling, Jim Carrey etc]

More governments have begun to enact the shift More governments have begun to enact the shift of curriculum to the inclusion of more life skills of curriculum to the inclusion of more life skills and character building. One example is and character building. One example is Singapore. Singapore.

Life skills are non-tangible skills that deal with Life skills are non-tangible skills that deal with cognitive, social, and emotional competencecognitive, social, and emotional competence

These types of intangible skills are what help These types of intangible skills are what help develop better coping and success strategies.develop better coping and success strategies.

Determine someone’s perception of us and their Determine someone’s perception of us and their receptivity to usreceptivity to us

With life skills, one is able to explore alternatives, With life skills, one is able to explore alternatives, weigh pros and cons and make rational decisions weigh pros and cons and make rational decisions in solving each problem or issue as it arises. It in solving each problem or issue as it arises. It also entails being also entails being able to establish productive interpersonal able to establish productive interpersonal relationships with others.relationships with others.

The fall of some countries during the recent The fall of some countries during the recent financial crisis demonstrates the lack of practical financial crisis demonstrates the lack of practical skills that people have today; instead of being skills that people have today; instead of being able to cope and find opportunity in crisis, the able to cope and find opportunity in crisis, the people of Greece choose to blame each other people of Greece choose to blame each other and wait for massive financial bailouts which the and wait for massive financial bailouts which the country may never recover from. country may never recover from.

Being able to create change rather than struggle Being able to create change rather than struggle in the wake of it and having communities that in the wake of it and having communities that can progress together would make for a better can progress together would make for a better result of education than a blind focus on result of education than a blind focus on academia. academia.

Hence the need to Hence the need to diversify diversify

Knowledge is still important – foundation for Knowledge is still important – foundation for thinkingthinking

Without a “rigorous foundation” of numeracy and Without a “rigorous foundation” of numeracy and literacy, students cannot learn new skills and pick literacy, students cannot learn new skills and pick up new jobs later in life.up new jobs later in life.

Evi: an emphasis on bilingualism even in the Evi: an emphasis on bilingualism even in the kindergartens and learning support programmes kindergartens and learning support programmes for languages and maths in primary and secondary for languages and maths in primary and secondary schoolsschools

Very little can be achieved with the help of Very little can be achieved with the help of surface knowledgesurface knowledge

Humanly impossible to absorb all knowledge Humanly impossible to absorb all knowledge and understand it all – knowledge is so vast and understand it all – knowledge is so vast and ever expandingand ever expanding

But But No longer enough No longer enough to have one set of to have one set of fundamental knowledge and skillsfundamental knowledge and skills

Long years of specialisation determines Long years of specialisation determines thinking and attitude – limited in his approachthinking and attitude – limited in his approach

Ideally, one should know the fundamental Ideally, one should know the fundamental facts about facts about various areas various areas of knowledge – eg: of knowledge – eg: the new ‘A’ syllabus has stipulated that each the new ‘A’ syllabus has stipulated that each candidate must offer a ‘contrasting’ subject – candidate must offer a ‘contrasting’ subject – aims to expand their knowledge about aims to expand their knowledge about subject areas which they may not have taken subject areas which they may not have taken up voluntarilyup voluntarily

Important that one is able to synthesize – Important that one is able to synthesize – sense of continuity and interrelatednesssense of continuity and interrelatedness

And it is important that all that he or she has And it is important that all that he or she has gathered should not remain a bunch of facts gathered should not remain a bunch of facts but rather he or she should be able to but rather he or she should be able to critically analyse these information and critically analyse these information and transform and synthesize his or her transform and synthesize his or her knowledge into applicable / knowledge into applicable / transferable transferable skills skills

More application questions in assessment; no More application questions in assessment; no longer just accepting model answers longer just accepting model answers

Critical thinkingCritical thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of an The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgmentissue in order to form a judgment

Creative thinkingCreative thinking

A way of looking at problems and situations from a A way of looking at problems and situations from a fresh perspective that suggests new/ unorthodox fresh perspective that suggests new/ unorthodox solutionssolutions

The quality and number of people graduating from The quality and number of people graduating from University with a Bachelor Degrees, a Masters University with a Bachelor Degrees, a Masters Degrees and even a PhD is increasing at an Degrees and even a PhD is increasing at an incredible rate. incredible rate.

There will be a tremendous amount of qualified There will be a tremendous amount of qualified people applying for the same jobs. people applying for the same jobs. What will set What will set someone apart is their ability to think someone apart is their ability to think differently, to think in new ways, to come up differently, to think in new ways, to come up with new ideas, and to be innovative.with new ideas, and to be innovative.

Minister for Education, Heng Swee Keat, said Minister for Education, Heng Swee Keat, said this is ''less about content knowledge'' but this is ''less about content knowledge'' but ''more about how to process information".''more about how to process information".

He describes this challenge to innovate as He describes this challenge to innovate as being able to "discern truths from untruths, being able to "discern truths from untruths, connect seemingly disparate dots, and create connect seemingly disparate dots, and create knowledge knowledge even as the context changes''.even as the context changes''.

Creativity in Singapore Creativity in Singapore schoolsschools

Narrow focus on Science and MathNarrow focus on Science and Math

Obsession with exam grades and Obsession with exam grades and standardized testingstandardized testing

Results in our curriculum not rewarding Results in our curriculum not rewarding creativity – students are used to being creativity – students are used to being spoonfed and memorising and regurgitating spoonfed and memorising and regurgitating model answersmodel answers

Schools also find it hard to teach or test Schools also find it hard to teach or test creativity. creativity.

Problem lies in over Problem lies in over emphasis on Science and emphasis on Science and

MathMath Narrow focus of education system on only the Narrow focus of education system on only the

functional or pragmatic aspects may result in functional or pragmatic aspects may result in children growing up with tunnel vision since children growing up with tunnel vision since science and math might be their sole focusscience and math might be their sole focus

Focusing on what is regarded as productive Focusing on what is regarded as productive and downplaying importance of creative skills and downplaying importance of creative skills may stunt creativitymay stunt creativity

Create a society monotonous and without Create a society monotonous and without colour, limits the views of people to see or colour, limits the views of people to see or imagine possibilities for themselves beyond imagine possibilities for themselves beyond the pragmaticthe pragmatic

Eg: the fact that Express students in Eg: the fact that Express students in Singapore cannot take Art after Secondary Singapore cannot take Art after Secondary Two. Another example is that Design and Two. Another example is that Design and Technology is only available to certain Technology is only available to certain students. students. 

Though technically every subject should Though technically every subject should teach creative skills, it is more difficult to be teach creative skills, it is more difficult to be creative with Science and Math subjectscreative with Science and Math subjects

Problem lies in the Problem lies in the assessmentassessment

In order to be successful in standardized In order to be successful in standardized testing, students must write papers whereby testing, students must write papers whereby the main skill being examined is critical the main skill being examined is critical thinking, not creativity.thinking, not creativity.

We do not test creativity or allow creative We do not test creativity or allow creative answers – students are spoonfed with model answers – students are spoonfed with model answers and due to importance of grades, answers and due to importance of grades, few would dare to do something differentfew would dare to do something different

Eg: Even in Literature, we are tested on the Eg: Even in Literature, we are tested on the critical analysis of a poem or a prose and not critical analysis of a poem or a prose and not on the creative aspectson the creative aspects

Schools do not teach Schools do not teach creativitycreativity

Shortsighted educational philosophers are to be Shortsighted educational philosophers are to be blamed. – obsession with exam gradesblamed. – obsession with exam grades

Many local teachers prefer docility and tame students Many local teachers prefer docility and tame students who have creative ideas and are forward thinkers, who have creative ideas and are forward thinkers,

Our society also declares that math, science, Our society also declares that math, science, memorization and successful standardized memorization and successful standardized examination results are the only things students need examination results are the only things students need to surviveto survive

Teachers do not go beyond standard curriculum or Teachers do not go beyond standard curriculum or allow students to explore beyond. Even if they want allow students to explore beyond. Even if they want to, they do not have the time due to the packed to, they do not have the time due to the packed curriculum. curriculum.

Our society also does Our society also does not promote creativitynot promote creativity

Overarching influence of Confucian teachings Overarching influence of Confucian teachings and adherence to obedience, respect for and adherence to obedience, respect for authority, hierarchical structures and authority, hierarchical structures and insistence on conformity,insistence on conformity,

Seem to go against what are generally Seem to go against what are generally thought to be the catalysts for innovation — thought to be the catalysts for innovation — namely, an open culture where exchange of namely, an open culture where exchange of ideas are encouraged, individuality, and ideas are encouraged, individuality, and diversity which brings about different diversity which brings about different perspectives.perspectives.

But we are trying to But we are trying to make a change …make a change …

For Singapore, our “Desired Outcomes of For Singapore, our “Desired Outcomes of Education” include Education” include critical and inventive critical and inventive thinking thinking as well as social and emotional as well as social and emotional competences. At the end of secondary school, competences. At the end of secondary school, among other things students are expected to among other things students are expected to be “resilient in the face of adversity”, be “resilient in the face of adversity”, ““innovative and enterprisinginnovative and enterprising” as well as ” as well as “able to think critically and communicate “able to think critically and communicate persuasively”.persuasively”.

Refer to articlesRefer to articles

Passion for learningPassion for learning

Too much pragmatic focus may diminish the Too much pragmatic focus may diminish the joys of learning – important to not let rigidity joys of learning – important to not let rigidity of education system to produce too much of education system to produce too much stress and competition that turn children off stress and competition that turn children off from learningfrom learning

Children should be allowed to explore their Children should be allowed to explore their interests and discover their potentials interests and discover their potentials

Important to have a Important to have a love for learning love for learning – – ensure that the child will be prepared for life – ensure that the child will be prepared for life – skills and knowledge will get redundant skills and knowledge will get redundant

Vital that what is taught holds great value for Vital that what is taught holds great value for the people receiving the lessonthe people receiving the lesson

There must be some joy and fun and students There must be some joy and fun and students need to see how the knowledge and skills need to see how the knowledge and skills they are learning can be appliedthey are learning can be applied

Students need to understand the value of Students need to understand the value of what is being taught, its inherent applicability what is being taught, its inherent applicability and the subsequent enhancement to their and the subsequent enhancement to their lives lives

A passion for learning will then lead to A passion for learning will then lead to lifelong learninglifelong learning

Character formationCharacter formation

One must possess moral integrityOne must possess moral integrity

Above all the knowledge that one has Above all the knowledge that one has accumulated, one needs to be aware that accumulated, one needs to be aware that ultimately one must bring good to society, not ultimately one must bring good to society, not to harm othersto harm others

Moral compass guides one’s behaviourMoral compass guides one’s behaviour

One will not be able to earn respect if one does One will not be able to earn respect if one does not possess a strong moral compassnot possess a strong moral compass

One will also bring harm to the people around One will also bring harm to the people around him or her or worse, the societyhim or her or worse, the society

Values - Principles or standards of behaviour; Values - Principles or standards of behaviour; one’s judgement of what is important in lifeone’s judgement of what is important in life Eg: western values, Buddhist values etcEg: western values, Buddhist values etc

Moral values – the rules or right conduct; the Moral values – the rules or right conduct; the distinction between right and wrongdistinction between right and wrong

The very basic of a human beingThe very basic of a human being

Why is it important?Why is it important?

Youth are buffeted by the forces of changing Youth are buffeted by the forces of changing technology and intense global competition and, technology and intense global competition and, hence, traditional social structures are breaking hence, traditional social structures are breaking down across the world and in Singapore.down across the world and in Singapore.

The more deeply our youth internalise good values, The more deeply our youth internalise good values, the better they are prepared for a fast- changing the better they are prepared for a fast- changing worldworld

We need personal values to enable each of us to We need personal values to enable each of us to have the confidence, self awareness, grit and have the confidence, self awareness, grit and determination to succeed. determination to succeed.

We need moral values, such as respect, We need moral values, such as respect, responsibility, care and appreciation towards others responsibility, care and appreciation towards others to guide each of us to be a socially responsible to guide each of us to be a socially responsible personperson

Eg: Ferdinand Marcos, the former President of Eg: Ferdinand Marcos, the former President of the Philippines. the Philippines.

As a lawyer and eventually a leader of his As a lawyer and eventually a leader of his people, he would be considered a well people, he would be considered a well educated person. However his downfall was educated person. However his downfall was brought about by a government marred by brought about by a government marred by nepotism and corruption. nepotism and corruption.

While some have recognised his intelligence While some have recognised his intelligence and leadership, his lack of integrity has and leadership, his lack of integrity has marred those viewsmarred those views

MeritocracyMeritocracy

Political philosophy which holds that power Political philosophy which holds that power should be vested in individuals according to should be vested in individuals according to meritmerit

What’s merit? What’s merit? Talent meritocracyTalent meritocracy Exam meritocracyExam meritocracy

Talent meritocracyTalent meritocracy

Employed in the Western countriesEmployed in the Western countries

Based on individual’s different talentsBased on individual’s different talents

Works under the belief each individual is Works under the belief each individual is unique in his/her own way and should be unique in his/her own way and should be given different opportunities to explore and given different opportunities to explore and developdevelop

Classes are not restricted by gradesClasses are not restricted by grades

Exam meritocracyExam meritocracy

Employed in Singapore and other asian Employed in Singapore and other asian countriescountries

Based on test scores derived from standardized Based on test scores derived from standardized teststests

Works under the belief that Standardized test Works under the belief that Standardized test are sufficient to gauge out the cream of the are sufficient to gauge out the cream of the crop and that developing the best will yield the crop and that developing the best will yield the most desirable resultsmost desirable results

Classes are restricted by the test scores that Classes are restricted by the test scores that the individual recievesthe individual recieves

Advantages of talent Advantages of talent meritocracymeritocracy

Everyone is allowed to pursue their passionEveryone is allowed to pursue their passion

No one is discriminated against, regardless of No one is discriminated against, regardless of gradesgrades

Talented individuals in areas like the arts can Talented individuals in areas like the arts can be identifiedbe identified

Advantages of exam Advantages of exam meritocracymeritocracy

Individuals are developed based on their Individuals are developed based on their academic strengthacademic strength

There is a motivation to work harder due to There is a motivation to work harder due to the competitive nature of exam meritocracythe competitive nature of exam meritocracy

Research have shown that countries which Research have shown that countries which employ exam meritocracy score better on employ exam meritocracy score better on standardized tests compared to countries standardized tests compared to countries which employs talent meritocracywhich employs talent meritocracy

Disadvantages of talent Disadvantages of talent meritocracymeritocracy

Interest does not always equal to talentInterest does not always equal to talent

Many parents all feel their child is gifted,as Many parents all feel their child is gifted,as such,would get their child to opt for a class such,would get their child to opt for a class which is not suitable for themwhich is not suitable for them

Significantly lower scores on standardized Significantly lower scores on standardized tests compared to other countries which tests compared to other countries which employ exam meritocracyemploy exam meritocracy

Disadvantages of exam Disadvantages of exam meritocracymeritocracy

Interest is secondary to abilityInterest is secondary to ability

Lacks the ability to test for areas such as Lacks the ability to test for areas such as creativitycreativity

Fails to train qualities like spontaneityFails to train qualities like spontaneity

Weaker students are discriminated against Weaker students are discriminated against and only the better students get better and only the better students get better standards of education along with more standards of education along with more options and opportunitiesoptions and opportunities

Social divideSocial divide

A meritocratic system is coupled with the A meritocratic system is coupled with the principle of non-discrimination, in which merit principle of non-discrimination, in which merit and talent alone determine selection.and talent alone determine selection.

But one must also consider the unequal But one must also consider the unequal backgrounds from which people come.backgrounds from which people come. It means, for example, ensuring that children It means, for example, ensuring that children

compete in schools on a more equal footingcompete in schools on a more equal footing

Those who benefitted from the system (better Those who benefitted from the system (better education and more earning power education and more earning power use use resources to ensure their children remain resources to ensure their children remain winnerswinners

Eg: tuition, preference for alumni for popular Eg: tuition, preference for alumni for popular primary schoolsprimary schools

Rise in social distance between the winners of Rise in social distance between the winners of the system and the restthe system and the rest

Must ensure that the elite (people who are Must ensure that the elite (people who are governing) consciously don the lens of the governing) consciously don the lens of the ordinary singaporeansordinary singaporeans

Ensure that social mobility does not Ensure that social mobility does not decelerate despite greater resources decelerate despite greater resources available to winners – resources must be available to winners – resources must be made available for the rest (eg: CDAC)made available for the rest (eg: CDAC)

Winners in this system must be aware that Winners in this system must be aware that their acheivements are enabled by the their acheivements are enabled by the society they live in. society they live in.

ExamsExams

Concerned that overloading children with Concerned that overloading children with work and exam preparations could threaten work and exam preparations could threaten students’ health and emotionsstudents’ health and emotions

The Organization for Economic and The Organization for Economic and Development (OECD) ranked S. Korea Development (OECD) ranked S. Korea elementary, middle and high school students elementary, middle and high school students the lowest in terms of happiness compared to the lowest in terms of happiness compared to other OECD countriesother OECD countries

In Singapore, critics have argued that children In Singapore, critics have argued that children cannot enjoy their education or pursue their cannot enjoy their education or pursue their passions due to the need to do wellpassions due to the need to do well

Plus pointsPlus points

Exams are a quick way to sort large numbers Exams are a quick way to sort large numbers of students by ability in specific areas – of students by ability in specific areas – standardized testing ensures accurate standardized testing ensures accurate comparison across groupscomparison across groups

Exams encourage students to study, do more Exams encourage students to study, do more reading and writing and thus improving their reading and writing and thus improving their general knowledge.general knowledge.

Plus pointsPlus points

An exam measures how well a student has An exam measures how well a student has grasped facts, knowledge or skills in a grasped facts, knowledge or skills in a specific area at a specific point in time / or specific area at a specific point in time / or how well the teacher has taughthow well the teacher has taught Good for follow-up actions that can help the Good for follow-up actions that can help the

studentsstudents Help track students’ progressHelp track students’ progress

Minus pointsMinus points

Conventional exams just cannot measure a Conventional exams just cannot measure a whole range of qualities, strengths and whole range of qualities, strengths and capacities that matter in lifecapacities that matter in life Bulk of rewards goes to those who excel in a Bulk of rewards goes to those who excel in a

rather narrow range of skillsrather narrow range of skills It reveals very little else, including a student's It reveals very little else, including a student's

eagerness to learn. eagerness to learn.

Minus pointsMinus points

High stakes - High stakes - Some take up to a year off work Some take up to a year off work to help their child prepare for the PSLE as to help their child prepare for the PSLE as they believe its scores determine the they believe its scores determine the secondary school, and therefore the secondary school, and therefore the university, their child can access, which in university, their child can access, which in turn determines his eventual job prospects turn determines his eventual job prospects and career path. and career path. high level of pressurehigh level of pressure – results in – results in

undesirable consequences (depression or undesirable consequences (depression or addiction)addiction)

Minus pointsMinus points

High pressure High pressure Teachers teach to the test. Teachers teach to the test. Most do not do this, Most do not do this,

but some feel so much pressure for their but some feel so much pressure for their students to achieve a specific score that students to achieve a specific score that they they dodo end up teaching to the test,  end up teaching to the test, whether whether they want to or notthey want to or not. This can make school . This can make school drudgery for students and steal teachers’ drudgery for students and steal teachers’ enjoyment of teaching.enjoyment of teaching.

Schools cut down on non essential subjects or Schools cut down on non essential subjects or play time. play time. This can have negative impact on This can have negative impact on children’s social, emotional, and academic well-children’s social, emotional, and academic well-being.being.

Minus pointsMinus points

An exam meritocracy may be hard on late An exam meritocracy may be hard on late bloomers. Most exams take place in the first bloomers. Most exams take place in the first 20-odd years of people's lives. But some may 20-odd years of people's lives. But some may take longer to find their niche.take longer to find their niche.

So…So…

For better or worse, standardized testing is For better or worse, standardized testing is here to stay. here to stay.

The key is to use the test results as a guide for The key is to use the test results as a guide for teachers, parents, and students. teachers, parents, and students.

They should also be used, They should also be used, in a limited in a limited capacitycapacity, to assess how well schools are doing. , to assess how well schools are doing. Standardized testing certainly should be used to Standardized testing certainly should be used to

help measure a school’s success, but it should help measure a school’s success, but it should be be oneone assessment among  assessment among severalseveral that  that determines whether a school's students are determines whether a school's students are progressing or not.progressing or not.