Tests offer additional data for parents

RE: STANDARDIZED TESTS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED (MAY 10)

How would one react if doctors decided to ignore health tests because they expected different results? Why do so many in education avoid investigating the real causes of poor achievement in literacy and numeracy by elementary and secondary school students? Why has no one stepped up to the plate to explain the following statistics: The percentage of students unable to reach the provincial standard on EQAO tests: Grade 9 academic math, close to 20 per cent; Grade 9 applied math, more than 50 per cent; Grade 6 math, close to 50 per cent; Grade 3 math, close to 40 per cent; Grade 3 reading and writing, close to 30 per cent; Grade 6 reading and writing, 20 per cent?

Parents should be very suspicious when reading report cards. They should ask principals and teachers to explain why suddenly in June their children are promoted to the next level when year-round assessment and evaluation indicated limited knowledge of content, limited understanding of basic concepts and limited effectiveness in communication and application. What happened in the last month of school? Can you imagine a doctor telling you that you are in splendid health on the basis of negative tests?

EQAO tests offer parents and students an additional source of data to gauge the assessment and evaluation given by teachers.

Pierre Drouin, Ancaster