EDUCATION

Standardized testing

– obsolete?

Standardised TestConstructed by specialist and expertsBased on standardised norms and principlesAdministered and scored in a consistent,

predetermined manner

Standardised TestIn Singapore:PSLE – Primary 6 ‘O’ Levels – Secondary 4 ‘A’ Levels – JC 2

Pros

PracticalityLess time for preparation of testEasy administrationSmooth gradingEmpirical documentation

ObjectivityNon-standardised test based on individual

teacher’s opinion of student’s performanceMay lead to biasness

Instigator of ChangePattern emerges after a school / region

conducts many of such testsProblems identified quicklyChange can brought about

AccountabilityBenchmark is setStudents can work towards goals of common

standardsLeads to achievement gainsTest is taken seriously

StandardizationStudents are exposed to the same basic

materialRegardless of demographics of schools

Improve social mobility

Cons

Only when standardized

tests and testing are overused,

misused and over-emphasied

DishonestyHigh-stake testsStress: for students, teachers and schools

Results have to be improved by hook or by crook

Dishonesty

Teaching to the TestStudents who are well-versed with examination-

formatted questions do betterTeachers spend more time to prepare students on

examination structureTopics may be overlooked due to time constraint "Standardized tests can't measure initiative, creativity, imagination,

conceptual thinking, curiosity, effort, irony, judgment, commitment, nuance, good will, ethical reflection, or a host of other valuable dispositions and attributes. What they can measure and count are isolated skills, specific facts and function, content knowledge, the least interesting and least significant aspects of learning."

— Bill Ayers

BiasnessAgainst certain studentsStandardised tests do not take into account

diversity

Impact on StudentsDoing poorly results in:DepressionTeacher’s morale lowered – negative attitude

towards studentPunishment instead of encouragement

Unhealthy competition levels

ElitismElite schools tend to do betterStudents attributed with having families of

higher social status and wealthStandardised test is a tool to show off

S’pore’s education

– breed elitism?

Elitism people with intellect,

wealth, specialized training, or other distinctive attributes

to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society

Mindset Attitude

YESWhy?

Why?GEP

DSA EESIS IP SMP MPP

Examples?Wee Shu Min

“get out of my elite uncaring face”

A 12-year-old girl

Examples?

“It is not enough to succeed, others must fail”Gore Vidal

Rise of IP schools Give rise to elitism?

Assumption Utopian

Criticism

Bilingualism in multicultural society

–problem unique to S’pore?

Canada Migrants

Officially Bilingualism

Asymmetrical application of edu rights in Canada-Quebec’s English-education

Problems-English speakers’ children forced to speak French

India Almost no immigrants

Hindi-official union language

English-official work language

22 recognized regional language

National language: not defined

IndiaTaught 3 languages from 1st grade

Problems:-Communication obstacle-A country that divided into north (Hindi) and south (Dravidian)-why China is progressing more rapidly than India

Bilingual educationAnother way of thinking

Overseas study chances

Business opportunities

Positive effects on economy