Is testing the only assessment teachers should do?

Tests! Tests! Tests!  That’s all schools every talk about these days.  It’s all about testing, data and a student's test scores.  Our schools have lost the focus that should be directed on our students and trying to be able to make education fun.  If all we do is test, then the students stop caring about their education.  Testing isn’t fun and should be done on a rare occasion.  I do think that testing is necessary and gives teachers an overall look at what a student's strengths and weakness are, but it is not the only way to get that information.

There are many different types of assessments: informal and formal.  Assessments such as pre-tests, post-tests, quizzes, state and district tests are considered to be formal assessments.  These are the typical assessments that we think of when someone mentions testing.  Hands signals, four corners, and white boards are just a few of the informal assessments teachers can do in their classes.  Teachers can easily use informal assessments as a quick check to see which kids understand the content after a lesson and which students do not.  Doing these quick checks allows for teachers to see which kids may need to be pulled for small groups for more individualized instruction.  Formal assessments should be limited to only at the in the beginning, middle and end of a unit.  This keeps the kids from getting overwhelmed with all the testing.

Unfortunately, I do not see things changing any time soon.  I see it getting worse year after year.  As a teacher, I need to focus my attention on teaching my students and making it meaningful for them.  As long as I do my best to provide them with the strategies and real-life examples, then they should be successful on these assessments without stress!