I Don’t Give a Crap
Cross Posted on the Huffington Post.
The PISA results were released this month and my overwhelming response was: Who cares? Many of my fellow Canadians were quite happy to be ranked sixth in the world. What does that even mean? Is that cause for celebration? Should we be upset? What would we do if we were first? (Hint: I've talked to many educators from schools with high test scores. They are the most resistant to try new things and be innovative for fear it will lower their test scores). Once again, these tests perpetuate the idea that:
- Schools should measure math, reading and science only.
- Arts, Health and Physical Education are not really necessary (rewatch Ken Robinson's video on creativity).
- Tests taken on a single day are a good and accurate measurement of student learning and achievement.
- Rankings against other countries/districts/schools/classrooms/students is important because education should be competitive.
There are no questions on the test that measure creativity (if that can even or should be measured), collaboration, or media literacy, never mind their ability to learn or their understanding of their body. The other
