The Case Against Standardized Testing: Raising the Scores, Ruining the Schools

by Alfie Kohn

Book Overview

Our students are tested to an extent that is unprecedented in American history and unparalleled anywhere in the world. Politicians and businesspeople, determined to get tough with students and teachers, have increased the pressure to raise standardized test scores. Unfortunately, the effort to do so typically comes at the expense of more meaningful forms of learning.

That disturbing conclusion emerges from Alfie Kohn's devastating new indictment...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325003254
• ISBN13: 9780325003252
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Improving the schools

With an ever increasing political pressure on student achievement in K-12 schools there is a concurrent and also expanding controversy on issues of assessment of student performance. At the core of many of these controversies is the use of standardized tests to compare individual student performance as well as a comparison among schools and school districts on a national level. Alfie Kohn's recently published book, The Case Against Standardized Testing presents a compelling case against the use of these tests as well as providing constructive suggestions for more meaningful processes for learning. The book is divided into 6 chapters. In Chapter one there is a discussion on the testing process in schools. Kohn provides numerous examples to substantiate his concern that the tests are politically driven, inappropriate as measures of learning substantive skills, and counterproductive. Chapter 2 describes negative characteristics of the most common tests currently being administered. Chapter 3 includes a summary of problems resulting from the tests, both for teachers and students. Chapter 4 provides a discussion on 5 compelling reasons to substantiate Kohn's concerns that standardized tests are especially ineffective and counter-productive for those students most in need of educational assistance - those from low income families. Chapter 5 deals with alternatives to standardized tests. Chapter 6 provides specific suggestions and advice on methods for changing the political pressures and requirements for standardized tests. In summary, Kohn has provided the American public with the basis for a spirited discussion on the issues involved in standardized testing. His alternative suggestions for assessing students are constructive and can serve as the basis for efforts to improve the present controversial situation.

We've got it in Canada, too. . .

High stakes testing is the foot and mouth disease of both the United States and Canada. This fall I'm heading back to teach in Oregon after 15 years in Canada. I was hoping that I would be able to have a respite for my kids (not for me!) and my brother tells me that they are doing the same thing in Oregon.High Stakes testing closes the door on our middle of the road kids, the late bloomers, and of course the others discussed in Kohn's book.But the sad thing is is that the parents who should spearhead the effort to end this modern day gristmill--the dismal paper chase of childhood--are the very ones who say "only for my child," or openly brag about their children's test scores.He's right--those test scores only measure the square footage of the homes that surround the schools. And worse, teachers participate by earning their blood money by marking the tests! I've had kids give up hope when faced with the test at the end of the tunnel, things are so bad that in Calgary, in my daughter's middle class high school, only 52% of the students graduated. They flood the adult education centre in efforts to "upgrade." Finally they renamed the centre to Chinook College. I love Kohn's book, and heard him speak, the only depressing thing is that in two combined nations of over 300 million, I am the fourth review!Forget about making teachers accountable. I'd trade my tenure anyday in an effort to get rid of these tests. . .

Standardized Testing--A Call to Action

Death and taxes are often quoted as givens in our society. In the world of education, one might add standardized testing to this grouping. If we examine the current call for educational standards in this country and the accompanying emphasis on high stakes standardized testing, one may immediately recall the discomfort of sitting in a room of silent test takers, usually a gymnasium with only the sounds of the proctors and their wing-tipped shoes creaking up and down the rows as answers are feverishly bubbled in with number two pencils. Alfie Kohn, reseracher and an outspoken critic of our public school system and its emphasis on competition, brings to light in this book, a need for a modern day "call to arms." For Kohn, establishes a strong framework from the start, as he characterizes standardized tests as having "swelled and mutated, like a creature in one of those old horror movies to the point that it now threatens to swallow our school whole." Over the course of just 94 pages, Kohn writes a deftly crafted text, with chapter titles that in and of themselves provoke, such as, "Measuring What Matters Least," "The Worst Tests," and "Burnt at the High Stakes," just to name three of the six section titles. This book is a must read for every parent and educator. Kohn aptly sets the stage for his final section, entitled, "Fighting the Tests," a call to action by teachers, adminstrators, parents and students to resist in any way possible the onslaught of standardized testing and standards. Kohn, puts forth very concrete ways to resist current efforts that are being imposed by various government agencies throughout our country. Sixteen very specific strategies are delineated from just talking with friends and neighbors about inherent dangers of focusing on standardized test scores, to actually forming an organized boycott against having one's child or student take the exams. Kohn's provocative, yet extremely well researched and documented style should make the most zealous promoter of high standards and high stakes testing, sit up and take notice.

Power to the Resistance!

They ought to call this book "Why Standardized Tests are Dumb - for Dummies" and put it in one of those glaring yellow-and-black covers. Then maybe Alfie Kohn would become the household name he deserves to be! There is no more cogent explanation for the inequities of standrdized testing than that which is presented by Kohn in this slim, easy-to-read, practical, and VITAL volume. Early on Kohn points out that the arguement stating that standardized tests prepare students for the workplace is not only faulty, but riddled with ludicrously laughable "logic". After all, as he says, "How often are we forbidden to ask coworkers for help, or to depend on a larger organization for support...?" And, he goes on, "when someone is going to judge the quality of your work, whether you are a sculptor, a refrigerator repairman, a reporter, or a therapist, how common is it for you to be given a seret paper-and-pencil exam? Isn't it far more likely that the evaluator will look at examples of what you've already done, or perhaps watch you perform your normal tasks?" (p. 6) Kohn states in clear terms the basic inequalities of standardized tests, describes the dangers of "high stakes" testing schemes, links testing to the poor teaching that often infects the classrooms of our poorest children, and offers assessment alternatives that are both sane and authentic. Read this book before spring testing fever hits your school district -valuable for educators, parents, and students; vital for society.

Amazon should stock this surefire potential bestseller!

This is an extremely important book written by a courageous thoughtful and articulate spokesman for children. Kohn explains to citizens, school administrators and parents punch-drunk with an insatiable quest for tests and test scores just how much their simplistic efforts at school 'improvement' damage our schools and the learning potential of kids. The costs are just too high for this national obsession and escalation of educational violence to go unchecked. The testing war is financed by textbook publishers, corporations and dubious politicians, like George W. Bush, who equate learning with measurement, the casualties are children and creative teachers.Those advocating nutty ideas like annual (or even more frequent) mandatory standardized testing are transforming our public schools from social institutions where intellect and creativity are socially constructed into corporatized sterile test-preparation centers.Alfie Kohn's new book should be purchased in quantity and distributed at school parent nights, school board meetings, cocktail parties and teacher lounges. Alfie Kohn is a 21st Century Patriot whose timely book should be a clarion call to all concerned with children and the future of our schools.