Testing for intelligence?

This is an issue that is overlooked and that definitely deserves attention. This topic is all too familiar for me. I have always had a problem with TESTING. I was always a EXEMPLARY student who immersed myself in school and as a result obtained great grades. Nevertheless, I was not a good test taker. Children, like myself, should not be required to prove themselves over and over again. Instead, you should focus on the "whole" child and what he or she contributes to their education. In addition, working in a public school system in Texas, children, 3rd-12th grade are required to take and pass the STAAR (The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test. Speaking as a "true advocate for children", tests such as these have a #1 goal: $$$$$$. This is not a test for or about the students, this is a test that allows many bureaucrats and law makers, politicians, board members to make a profit off of children and educators.

The article, The case against standardized testing: raising the scores, ruining the schools, by Alfie Kohn is a article that genuinely expresses concern for children and the "terror" of standardized testing. The article speaks of preparing children for 'reality' and how testing is not a determiner of being a responsible, productive citizen of the world. Also, many of these tests rely heavily on quantitative data instead of qualitative data. There's much emphasis on the "right" answer, leaving no room for variations, creativity,... In essence, "The more we learn about standardized testing, particularly in its high-stakes incarnation, the more likely we are to be appalled. And the more we are appalled, the more inclined we will be to do what is necessary to protect our children from this monster in the schools"( The case against standardized testing: raising the scores, ruining the schools, 2000).  

I also had the chance to read up on some intelligence testing performed in the United Kingdom. Many researchers believe in testing for intelligence but insist that cognitive testing must take first primarily in order for there to be an accurate evaluation. Natives of the United Kingdom are persistently pressing the issue of complete cognitive development and information processing. Many historic researchers, continue to battle this matter of "testing for intelligence".

Author, Alfie Kohn, of the article, Standardized Testing and its Victims provided many facts regarding standardized testing and how it affects our children, educators and society as a whole. While reading through these 8 facts, one of them hit very close to home for me. Fact #8, "Many educators are leaving the field because of what is being done to schools in the name of "accountability" and "tougher standards" (Standardized Testing and its Victims, 2000). Education and its impact of children and family has truly lost its way. One of the major blows I feel is responsible for this systematic destruction is: standardized testing.

Kohn, A. (2000). The case against standardized testing: raising the scores, ruining the schools. Retrieved from: http://sites.google.com/a/teacherrenewal.org/www/CaseAgainstTesting.pdf


Kohn, A. (2000, September 27). Standardized Testing and its Victims. Education Week. Retrieved from: http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/edweek/staiv.htm

Sternberg, R.J.(Ed.). (2004). International Handbook of Intelligence. Retrieved from:  http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam041/2003048462.pdf