Standardised testing: a race to nowhere

By Lisa Y. Johnson-Collins

Race To Nowhere is an excellent description of the standardised testing movement. The (US) No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, increased the role of the federal government in public education and also expanded the role of standardised testing. This morning, I had a conversation with another educator who was ending a California State Testing week. The dedication of this teacher is commendable; although exhausted and stressed, this educator was hopeful that her students did well. She wanted them to have a chance at the best education possible. When I mentioned to her the best education possible is not based on state testing, she went through the myriad reasons why testing is a benefit. These alleged benefits of standardised testing permeate the public educational system causing harm to students, teachers and the future of public education as a whole. Go to CI’s Education page to read the full story.