Contradictions of School Reform: Educational Costs of Standardized Testing (Critical Social Thought)

Parents and others in communities around the country complain that the education system is failing our children. They point to students' failure to master basic skills, and in many cases, see lack of teacher accountability as the cause. To reverse this trend, many communities have looked to standardized testing as a solution. This text takes a look into the reality for students and teachers of standardized testing. Methods and strategies adopted by teachers to comply with standardized tests are analyzed to discover how this change in teaching practice changes both HOW and WHAT students learn. McNeil's book is a detailed account of how student performance and teacher accountability is being mapped through standardized tests. Issues covered include "authentic learning" e.g. reading, writing, critical thinking, vs. "practice drill" learning. The audience for this book includes students of education (specifically curriculum policy, administration and sociology of education) as well as policy makers and community leaders.