Opus 2014-84: CCC: Standardized Testing

A couple of weeks ago I was required to go to a meeting after school involving the new Common Core Curriculum (CCC).  In the course of the conversation I heard the mantra again, “We are building the airplane while we fly it.”  Another statement that came up that is fairly common among teachers was, “I hate standardized testing.”  Most teachers I am around would echo that statement.

Why do teachers hate standardized testing?  I am sure there are some very noble statements about academic freedom and real learning.  There is a deeper reason that is never admitted. Teachers hate standardized testing because standardized testing gives results that can be measured.  For all of the weaknesses, they do give results that can be compared.  It gives a measure that can evaluate what you are doing.  Education hates the concept.  They want to hide behind their constantly changing jargon and paradigms.  Clear numbers are too easy for the public to understand.

I don’t hate standardized testing, I just ignore the results.  Why?  Because if not administered and interpreted correctly the results are meaningless.  In education the first is questionable and the second never happens.  The educational establishment only uses the numbers to manipulate the public for more funds.  They don’t change much of anything.  They simple use the results to prove that they should do what they wanted to do all along.  It is kind of like global warming.  If it gets hot it is because of global warming.  If it gets cold it is still blamed on global warming. 

Thus Common Core Curriculum, the ultimate smoke screen of socialism.  Would you fly on an airplane that is being built while you fly it?  Then why put your kids in a school that follows that principle?

homo unius libri