Learning From a Test

Learning From a Test

In a world where competition seems to be the way for nations to prove their greatness there is a need for schools to demonstrate that they are preparing future generations.  The United States does not seem to be performing at the level of other advanced nations. It is important to learn from other countries beyond the ranking of a test like the PISA (Program For International Assessment). Therefore, schools must make changes in policy and practices understanding what other countries do with their students.

A School District in Fairfax County in northern Virginia  has taken the opportunity to make a change by signing up for the Test for Schools. It is based on PISA and administered by OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). The results were beneficial in understanding where those kids from Fairfax County are, compared with middle-income students from around the world. Many of the Fairfax high school performed above the international average, even though many were made-up of low-income populations.

It was discovered, according to Jack dale “that there is a need to revise our instructional approaches to include more interdisciplinary learning, starting in middle school.” The OECD test is more rigorous and takes 31/2 hours. The test assesses problem-solving, application skills and complex thinking. It is also important to mention that the test requires no preparation.

In the way the world is advancing a need to change the ways we teach must evolve as well. We are creating not the student who must learn, master and memorize concepts, but the student who is able to think and solve problems that come their way. As I told a college of mine. “Nobody can’t possibly know everything anymore. Instead of that, we must teach our students where and how to find the information they need.”  Even though testing may not be the exact tool to tell us where kids are, at least it can be a diagnostic instrument that will give us valuable piece of information, provided that the test is well developed and normed.

Dale, J. (2014).  Learning From  a  Test.  Education  Week,  33  (15)  21,24.