4.+The+Big+Questions

**Questions for Discussion**
Now that you have had a chance to read about assessment, your definition of assessment may have changed. Please contribute your thoughts to our voicethread below.

media type="custom" key="8877372"

1. Do standardized tests bring value to our teaching? What are your experiences with standardized testing? Do teachers, students and/or parents see value in them? Do parents understand standardized testing? Should we value them?

2. In a society that is results driven, we are often concerned with the end product. Whether that is in education or in the business world, the desire to be successful is there and society often judges people on their results. How do we balance this while practicing assessment of learning, assessment for learning and assessment as learning in the class on a daily basis?

3. Although, in Canada, we have not placed the emphasis on standardized testing that our neighbors to the south have, we have over the past several years seen an increase in the number and type of standardized tests being administered. With this increase, the sharing of data and publication of school testing results for the public to view and consume has also increased. Up to this point, such data has not affected school funding as it has in the United States; however, there is the perception that data from these tests are causing a rift in the education profession. What do you see as some of the major challenges to overcome when it comes to the sharing of test results with the public? Do you see teacher accountability becoming an issue in your school division/province as a result of such summative assessments?

(Earl, 2003, p. 25)

4. In looking at the above image, how do you interpret the balance of assessment and why? Is the balance Earl suggests practical?

5. What challenges do you see in documenting assessment for learning and assessment as learning? Can teachers still be accountable to all stakeholders?