School-Aged Assessments

I think the best way to assess children is to start by observing them in their natural environments; on the playground, in the classroom, taking a test, in gym/art/music class, and at lunch. I think that these areas are all important and need to be taken into account because each child has their own strengths and weaknesses that may not necessarily show on a typical standardized test. I think that standardized tests can be useful in seeing, generally, where a child stands in comparison to their peers. But I do not think that this information should be used alone to assess any child. 

England has a school system similar to ours in our assessments of our children. They currently assess their children at ages 5, 7, 11, and then 14 (Department for education, 2012). These assessments tell teachers where the children stand, and what needs to be improved upon. Since all children must take these various tests, there are accommodations made for children with special needs as well as children with illnesses (one example is a student with a broken arm). This is similar to how the U.S. conducts their assessments. For example both countries may read the test to the student and have them answer verbally, or more time may be allotted for children that are still struggling to read. 

I think that assessments are really over used in our school systems. They have gotten so out of control that now a teachers' job could be on the line based on how their students perform.  I think there is an appropriate time and place for standardized tests, but fourth grade is not the place.

References

Department for education. (2012). Testing and assessment. Retrieved August 3, 2012 from http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/assessment