My Teach-Now Activities: M6U1A3: High Stakes Assessments

What are high stakes assessments?

A high-stakes test is any test used to make important decisions about students, educators, schools, or districts, most commonly for the purpose of accountability—i.e., the attempt by federal, state, or local government agencies and school administrators to ensure that students are enrolled in effective schools and being taught by effective teachers. Test results are used to determine an important outcome, such as whether a student receives a high school diploma; the test would be considered a high-stakes test regardless of whether it’s a multiple-choice exam, an oral exam, or an essay exam.

Where I work

In the international school that I am based at, students range in age from 3 -19 years. The school offers an international curriculum drawing upon best practices from the UK, USA, Australia and the host country with all instruction in English except for foreign language classes. Specialist teachers provide instructions in Music, Physical Education, Art, Drama and Languages. An ESAC (English support across the curriculum) is offered for those students who need assistance with English.

The Elementary Department consists of Early Learning 3 - 5 year olds through Grade 5. Within this Elementary Department, the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is offered, which is a widely recognized course of study that has clear academic benchmarks and sets standards for basic skills on which to build an upper level education.

International School Assessment (ISA Test)

In Grades 3 - 10, students sit for the International School Assessment (ISA Test). This test is not necessarily categorized as a high stakes test, as it is an assessment program, designed especially for students in international schools in Grades 3 –10.

The ISA Test provides the following:

• An assessment with a broad cultural base

• Mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions to better illuminate students' thinking

processes

• Student-level information about what individuals know and can do

• Class- and school-level information that can inform instructional programs

• Information about sub-groups' performance

• Relevant comparisons between 'like' schools

• International normative information

• Information about growth over time

The ISA Test is based on the internationally endorsed reading, mathematical literacy and scientific literacy frameworks of the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). However, the ISA is not part of the PISA program and is not endorsed in any way by the OECD.

What schools say about the ISA?

Again the test results help us to address the needs of our students and improve our program. We find the general test a good tool to show future parents that we have way of monitoring our development, which is objective to us – Director of an international school
I am so pleased to see a 'standardized assessment' that reflects good teaching practices. Teaching to this test is not an issue. If you engage in good teaching practices all year children are prepared - Grade 4 Teacher
The ISA has become an important external measure of our school's performance and is part of our strategic measurable objectives. The design of the ISA and its focus on literacy and processes is also a valuable indicator of our learner qualities such as problem solvers - Former Curriculum and Professional Development Coordinator

International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC)

Students in Grades 6 through 8 pursue a broad based academic program guided by the 'International Middle Years Curriculum' (IMYC). Additionally, three foreign languages are offered: Spanish, French and German.

IGCSE

The students in Grades 9 and 10 participate in the IGCSE program with a culminating examination in May of Grade 10. Completion and success is not a prerequisite to enter into the IB Diploma Program but is used as an indicator of achievement and future success. Therefore, this program does not completely fulfill all the characteristics of a high stakes test.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

Students in Grades 11 and 12 follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. The lB is a two-year pre-university course designed to facilitate the mobility of students and promote international understanding. The comprehensive course of study for the IB Diploma is designed to provide students with a balanced education. All students are assessed externally by the IBO and if successful are awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

This program is categorized under high stakes assessments, because students graduating from the school are expected to have successfully completed the IB Diploma program. In addition to an IB Diploma a student will be awarded an ISB Graduation Diploma at one of 3 tiers depending on their final school grades in Grade 12.

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)

The school that I work for is also a testing center for the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and therefore, provides SAT preparation to our own students. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are designed to assess students’ academic readiness for college. These exams provide a path to opportunities, financial support, and scholarships, in a way that's fair to all students. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests keep pace with what colleges are looking for today, measuring the skills required for success in the 21st century.

My findings - Pros and Cons

My findings on the use and implications of high stakes assessments in other schools around the world brought me to the following pros and cons:

What Are the Pros of High Stakes Testing?

· It can help teachers create a specific learning plan for each student

· Test results are almost always publicly available

· High stakes testing improves a child’s test-taking abilities

· It emphasizes specific subjects that are universally needed

· Tests that are standardized are tests that don’t discriminate

What Are the Cons of High Stakes Testing?

· It can cause children to repeat grade levels or deny a diploma

· Some students don’t engage with learning in this fashion

· It creates high levels of anxiety within the student

· Creativity is removed from the classroom

· They just don’t work – Researches have indicated that high stakes testing is making US

students be less competitive in the world today

My conclusion

As a conclusion, students in the school that I am based at, do not fully participate in high stakes assessments, except for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program and the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT).

The test results in our school are not used to determine:

· Whether students advance to the next grade level or whether they receive a diploma,

except for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

· Job-performance evaluations of teachers or to determine professional compensation

· Trigger penalties for the school, such as negative public ratings, the replacement of staff members, or closure

Final note - Is High Stakes Testing Effective?

In my opinion, a test should just be a test. It shouldn’t be something that makes or breaks a student’s future. High stakes testing has some advantages that can help students be competitive. However, the one big disadvantage is the fact that the creative subjects, like art and music, aren’t included in these tests. By evaluating the pros and cons, each parent can be more actively involved in their local school district and fight for the educational opportunities they want for their children.

References:

(Accessed on 22 July 2015)