Excessive Testing Focus Saps Love of Learning (Who would have guessed?)

published April 6th, 2011 in Ed Week

 This article looked at the effect of over testing students through the perspective of a South Korean education official. I read this article after reading the brief news article about comments made by President Obama in regard to his sentiments that too much testing makes school dull for students. Obama went on to mention that he thinks student performance should be measured in other ways, possibly including attendance. The Korean education official had similar comments about students testing, “We force students to memorize so much that they experience pain rather than the pleasure of acquiring knowledge through the learning process.” If teachers can focus on making school a fun and engaging experience than student attendance should rise, and students can focus on real learning, rather than rote memorization. In South Korea teachers are referred to as “nation builders.” Should teachers in America be given any less respect? The job of a teacher truly is to build the future leaders of our country. The best leaders are those who are passionate about their beliefs, not drones who repeat verbage. If we as educators are to cultivate the great leaders of the future, then we must reduce the repetitive and endless standardized tests!