Salaam
Simple topic.
I was talking to some aged 11. She went she is having exams in about a weeks time (SAT's). I was prettyy shocked. I never really thought anything of tests, and can still remember having to ask what revision was in my final year of GCSE's. (Yes, I was that Naiive.)
But even more shocking was when I found out that even 7 years olds are tested via SAT's now.
Understandably Head teachers are starting a backlash against all this testing, saying it is detrimental to students.
But the gov is adamant that they are a good thing.
Teachers are planning industrial action, and are considering asking parents NOT TO SEND THE KIDS TO SCHOOLS ON EXAM DAYS!!!
What is your lot's view on this?
I think Britain has gone testing mad.
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i think the idea of tests is good. children need to be tested so that schools and teachers can help those children who are struggling with certain aspects of academic education e.g maths via extra tution or lessons. if we didnt test kids how would we ever know their weakenesses- thus they cant be helped. another point being, maybe because we have so many tests earlier, we are able to perform better later on when it concerns further education.
I have always thought there is a diference in actually learning and passing tests.
I am a whiz at tests. I do not need to know much about the subject, and I can make a good crack at an exam.
Besides why do 7 years olds need to be tested? in the time it takes to get them ready, and prepped for testing, and then actually take the test, they could be actually taught something.
Tests are a false sign of potential. SOme people are good at tests, others are not.
Afterall even Einstein never succeded in formal schooling/testing proicedures.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Salaam
I totally agree with you Admin.
I’m going to help run an Islamic Summer School this year and we’re looking to scrap the end of Summer school tests.
Past experience has shown that it places undue pressure on teachers/students. Furthermore, there are many other more effective way to test kids, such us via regular assignments, quiz’s, presentations etc.
The only reason why I got a decent grade in my degree was cos it was 95% assignment based…we had no stressful exam at the end of the year where we were tested on the entire years work.
Having said that, the education system today is a LOT easier than it was 20/30 years ago…
Wasalaam
It is alot easier than it was, but at the same time its more stressful.
and the worst thing is that exams will keep getting easier just to show that there is a year on year improvement.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
does anyone watch "that'll teach em"
tis a reality show where 20/30 kids who've sat their GCSE are made to sit 1950's style O levels
they all fail
Thing is, sayin they all fail, duz it mean that the exams them days were harder? NUP
I studied this in sociology, the test them days were geared to the time, not to mention that they were written by middle-aged, middle-class white people. So ethnic minorities would have not done too well on them, becuase some of the questions were social class specific.
In sociology class, when we were discussing this, the teacher gave us an example. the question was talkin about a specific thing, cant remember what it was, n she asked, duz evry1 kno what this is? None of the asians knew what it was, all but 2 of the white people knew what it was. We only had asian, or whites in our class, no other ethnicity. (when i say asian, i mean south- east asian).
So, even today, middle-class people hav an advantage over working class, n whites have an advantage over ethnic minorities. Its because of the culure difference. Although, the culture is begining to inter-mix, so a few generations down the line, there wunt b as big a difference as there is today according to some "sociological theories".
_____________- -SupeRazor- -_______________
Some ppl make their goals the stars.
They may live n die n never reach the stars,
but in the darkness of the night, those stars will guide them to their destination.
Becuz they made them in their eyesight
ok get them to take the maths test.
Exams are not hard. What has changed is what is being taught.
Before kids were expected to know alot more. Now kids the same age only know a fraction. even in just maths, which should not make any sociological diference.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
razor
ur not very sharp are u
i've studied sociology too
its true that maybe ONE or two questions were pretty cultural
but 50years ago we didnt have THAT many asian kids in school
also exams were harder back then cos it was more based on memory
today a lot is assignment based
50 years ago u had to LEARN long poetry for english AND be perfect in spelling
today spelling n grammar is only worth 5% of ur final grade and also u can bring poerty with u in the exam hall for ur english exam
today maths is caluculator/non calculator
back in the day u cud never use a calculator
The problem with me is...if I find something boring, I struggle to remember it. Thats why I have to study SO hard for tests...and soon after I forget everything again.
Only a few months ago I sat a GCSE maths paper...I'm revising for another maths test as part of my PGCE course, and I've already forgotten everything I learnt only a few months ago :?
I feel that presentations and/or assignements are one of the best forms of testing...only cos in order to truly understand and remember something for life, one should explain it to someone else. If you learn things in a parrot fashion way, you're going to forget it very quickly....
Whenever I'm revising I'm teaching the whole house...in a bit I'll be teaching baby Sis the rock cycle and process of photosythesis.