Blog Stage 8: Commentary on "Race to the Top"

With the governments new approach in reforming education some minor successes have been achieved. Standardized tests remain to be a prominent feature in how schools will be measured but it won't be the only characteristic they will be rated on. There is a weighted scale for schools to be judged upon. The National Education Association is optimistic about the final revisions put forth by the government. NEA's current President says the programs will “put more emphasis on student growth, teacher practice and improving instruction".

Standardized tests can be both positive and negative. They give schools a general guideline to base a curriculum, allow students opportunities to deal with pressure, stress and critical thinking. They also create a baseline for measuring our nations education system. A few of the negative features of the test are that some schools are robbed of creating a rich learning environment because they find time to only teach elements the children will be tested on. Preparing for these tests also pressures teachers to eliminate recess time, which negatively impacts the well being of children. Lastly, without being revised some standardized tests are still inherently biased against handicaps, culture and gender.

With "Race to the top", schools are seeking new approaches in teaching to win national grants. One of the criteria for the awards are new standardized tests. President Obama wants to amend "No child left behind", but he has no plans to leave the tests behind, they too have merit in education.

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