The release of the latest international test scores has set off a new round of wailing and gnashing of teeth about America’s schools.
Yong Zhao has a completely different take on the scores and what they mean. It is a long post but well worth reading.
Professor Zhao is a wise man who understands that test scores do not give us the whole picture. He knows that there is a reason why the United States continues to lead the world in productivity and innovation. He knows that the countries with the highest scores in math do not always produce the number of innovative scientists and other workers that our country has. While these other countries are observing and adopting many of our educational methods, we are moving in an opposite direction that could very well destroy the natural interests of children and ultimately decrease productivity and innovation in our country.
A child is born with a natural desire to learn. Not only does he have motivation and enthusiasm for learning, but he has a unique ability to learn wonderful things and to innovate. In educating the child, we must take great care to preserve his enthusiasm while teaching him the skills he needs to succeed. Until recently, the United States educational system has done a splendid job in providing a nurturing education to most of its children, but now we are in danger of copying nations that do this job less well.
Thank you to Professor Zhao for spreading his wise words.
I enjoyed this wise article. Test scores do not mean much.
I will say this – I think international, low-stakes tests are more valuable now that standardized, state tests.
Teachers teach to the state tests, invalidating their outcomes.