Are Test Scores a Good Indication of School's Competency??
Aseel Hesham Al-Halees
201212087
Al-Yamamah University
Ms. Amira Al-Menier
PHL 101
7 March 2014
Are Test Scores a Good Indication of School's Competency ?? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Competencies are probably the most closely related to abilities. The term ability normally means either able to do or a special talent; while competencies relate more to expertise and experience. Competencies can be thought of as the state or quality of being well qualified to perform a task. A person gain competency through education, training, experience and natural abilities. However, every parent wants for their children the best education. To have a good education they must determine which school is the best. There are so many ways to measure the competency of schools and test scores are not a good way. So, test scores are not a good indication of school's competency.
The first reason why tests scores are not good indication of school's competency is test score only show if students memorized the information or not. It only proves if the students can remember the important facts. For example, when students take a vocabulary test, students only remember how to spell the word and the definition of the word. Students will not remember how to use the word in its correct context. As with all tests, the figures are simply on indication of how well a child can recall the information on the day of the test.
The second reason is that not every student is in the same level of intelligence. Students may be more knowledgeable on different subject and not everyone can learn in the same environment nor be able to focus long enough to take a test. Also, many students are highly talented in work, but cannot take a high mark in test.
The third reason why tests scores are not good indication of school's competency is that tests do not prove that students know the material. Because on the day of the test, students may just be under the pressure and forget this and that and could get a bad mark. Also, because some students could be very nervous before writing the test. But over all their class marks could be high.
The fourth reason is because it depend on how the test is. Even if it is easy or hard, normal or important. Some students with every test they take during the high school, they think that the education seemed easy to them because they did very well on tests. On the other hand, when they take test such as ACT or SAT, they always fail to achieve the points. So they feel smart completing the normal test then they feel dumb in important tests.
The fifth reason why tests scores are not good indication of school's competency is because of cheating. Some students pay for their teacher in order to get a high mark. Also, some teachers sell the test for students. Nothing can be easier in these circumstances. Even if there is only one dishonest teacher for every hundred of honest and conscientious ones. She/ he will destroy all the results of the system for many dozens of students.
The last reason is because "the study by the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing found that teachers have started planning their curricula around state tests . This phenomenon is called “teaching to the test,” which can entail teaching only material that will be seen on tests or simply teaching test-taking skills. Opponents of high-stakes testing claim that with tests at the center of a year's curriculum, teachers lose some of the dynamism and creativity that makes school effective and enjoyable— there is no value placed on concepts and hands-on projects that require a greater challenge than what can be tested in a multiple-choice format"(Jasmine Evans ,2013)
In the end, after mentioning all the reasons and analysis them. In my point of view, test scores are not a good indication of school's competency and there are many different ways to measure the competency of school such as to ensure that all students succeed in building college and career readiness and To provide greater flexibility for students that would otherwise not graduate from high school because they have to work or care for their families. However, test scores are not an effective way to determine a school's competency. A school should not simply be judged on test scores
References
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1. Jasmine Evans. 2013. Problems with test, From education.com www.education.com
2. N.d .2013. School's competency, From ask .com www.ask.com
3. N.d . 2011. Are test score a good indication of schools competency, From gamespot.com www.gamespoy.com
4. Isabel Pinaud.2010. Test scores, From the world as we know it www.nasigoldentongue.com
5. Cristiana. 2011. Are test score a good indication of schools competency, From my thoughts www.mythoughts.com
