Overall, I would say I agree with Grant Wiggin’s statements in this article. He speaks of the importance of a variety of assessment, and recognizes that while MC tests are not the end all, they certainly have an important role. He recognizes that schools are part of a large bureaucratic state run machine and audits are important for such a social enterprise. He makes it clear that learning goals come first, and that assessments serve those learning goals, but are not the goals themselves. I will respond to the idea that teachers do not have enough time to do project based, or “authentic”, assessments. I believe it is easy teaching a Regents course to get caught up in that final assessment, and aim all instruction towards that one task. But that is just a way for the State to measure certain standards in the easiest and most uniform way. At Sweet Home we are blessed to have a district that supports teacher initiative. It is a rare instance when I have heard the word “NO” from a principal or district officer when I am making a request for funds for new equipment, technology, training, or time. I try to work in projets as least once a quarter, and often they revolve around lab work that builds skills that are testable and standardized, but achieved in a cooperative manner with their peers, and using equipment and technology students remember and look forward to.
