National testing; recording & reporting

textbook_reference_0 portfolio_10-_argument_for_or_against_national_testing._1 making_benchmark_testing…._3

Present an argument agreeing or disagreeing with for the following statement – “Schools risk becoming ‘exam factories’ as teachers come under increasing pressure to meet the demands of a national curriculum, and calls to ensure that all students attain benchmark levels in national testing”.

Textbook reference:

McMillan, J. H. (2011) Classroom assessment. Principles and practice for effective standards-based instruction. (5th Ed). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Portfolio 10 – Argument for or against schools being regarded as assessment factories.

Present an argument agreeing or disagreeing with for the following statement – “Schools risk becoming ‘exam factories’ as teachers come under increasing pressure to meet the demands of a national curriculum, and calls to ensure that all students attain benchmark levels in national testing”.

Although the Australian context is important to keep in mind and your reference to it will add essential content to the discussion in this portfolio piece, your writing should not focus solely on NAPLAN.

You are required to formulate an academic argument in response to the contention that too much time and attention is placed on formal, system-wide testing, at the expense of teacher or school-formulated assessments.

In order to construct your argument, you will need to consider both global and local trends, and determine what you see as the appropriate place and purpose for these assessments and whether this is being reflected, in your opinion, in current practice.

By all means draw from experience and local knowledge that you may have but avoid writing that is anecdotal and don’t be tempted into hyperbole.

You may find that you do not want to categorically agree or disagree – this is fine, but you should still argue the points for and against and make some concluding statement.

You will not be marked in accordance with whether your tutor agrees with your stance, but according to how well you present and support your statements.