I feel children should be assessed because there are
many benefits to a child being assessed. Assessments provide us with
information to help us determine where a child stands in his or her
development. This information can be used to put together activities that can
help the child’s progress and it also helps educators see the child’s strengths
and weakness. Not only does it help with children’s development but it also
helps teachers in their teaching practice. These assessments can benefit
teacher by helping them evaluate their own teaching skills.
Children in Italian schools are tested on average about one test per subject per term, which goes towards the continual assessment of their performance, but does not count all that much. GCSE-type, make-or-break exams, from the age of 13 to 18 Italian students enjoy a long exam holiday, all the way up to the maturita exam which they take at the end of liceo, the senior schools in the Italian system. The continual assessments can be rigorous, and if students at the top high schools score less than six out of 10 in two or more subjects they run a serious risk of having to take the year again.
As educators we should try and use our creativity to meet the needs of children, regardless of their needs.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that many countries take an extended time off for their school year. Central America is another country that takes long "holidays" and allows their children (and teachers) a much needed break. Also, in some parts, children are able to go home for lunch and return to school an hour or two later. I learned this while taking Spanish classes in my undergraduate program and have friends from Central America!
Hi Leslie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. It was interesting to find out how some school take extended time off during the school year. There are a few states who actually have school year round with extended time off each quarter.
It is disheartening to learn of the assessment test given in Italy. I only can wonder if the students feel that a test should be the primary factor to repeating a grade over. Thank you for sharing this information.
ReplyDelete