Comments on: Anything But Standard: How Standardized Tests Diminish Learning (Part 1)

By: montessori_lori

montessori_lori — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:47:00 +0000

Bridget – unfortunately, many Montessori schools have given into the pressure (usually from parents) to administer standardized tests. I really hope the school you’re considering is flexible and lets you opt out for your daughter.

By: Bridget

Bridget — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:43:00 +0000

I am considering sending my daughter to a private Montessori school for Kindergarten next year and found out that they administer the Iowa test of basic skills in fall and spring. I’m considering asking if she can opt out of that. Avoiding labeling is one of the reasons I am resisting the public school, I was disappointed to see it in the Montessori school.

By: ~L~

~L~ — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:51:00 +0000

You know that anytime you start in with Gatto you’re gonna have me here, shaking my head in agreement, right?

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:16:00 +0000

I currently teach part-time in a small charter high school dedicated to helping students who are non-traditional and don’t fit in at the big public schools. Every faculty meeting for the last 2 months has been about getting these kids to pass the end-of-year tests for the core classes, and for the 10 graders to pass a writing test. The school’s continued existence depends on increasing these scores – it is the only thing the state is looking at! It is such a shame.

By: jessica

jessica — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:23:00 +0000

The destructiveness of the test, categorize, and label mentality of public schools is a big part of the reason I have chose to home educate my children.

Great post!

By: montessori_lori

montessori_lori — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:06:00 +0000

I didn't realize that you were a former public school teacher. It's great to have your perspective on this.

At one Montessori school where I taught, we did give standardized tests but not because of state requirements - just for the parents' sake.

It was sad, looking back, that the parents couldn't trust us and the progress they could see in their kids with their own eyes. And part of the problem was that we didn't insist on not giving the tests.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:22:00 +0000

Excellent post, Lori. I couldn’t agree with you (and Ms Montessori) more. As a former public school teacher I have seen the damage that the emphasis on standardized testing has done in the classrooms of even the most dedicated, innovative teachers, and the mind-numbing effect it has had on their students. It truly has become an all-consuming obsession. And as a homeschooler I have also seen the other side of the coin–what a joy education can be without the burden of standardized testing. I can assure you that neither I, nor my children will ever go back.