We continue our conversation with Harry Feder of FairTest. This time, we discuss high stakes tests in K-12 schools. Harry explains how tests and the prep for them came to dominate education and the consequences for students, teachers, and schools of high or low scores. He also describes how the same companies dominate textbooks and testing, and suggests some alternatives to high-stakes tests.
Overview
00:00-00:50 Intros
00:50-06:35 How testing became such a huge part of the K-12 experience
06:35-09:31 Amount of testing autonomy of districts and schools
09:31-14:23 Consequences and benefits of test scores
14:23-16:32 Impact on teaching as a profession
16:32-19:51 Test score use for middle and high school admissions
19:51-23:42 Relationship between commercial testing companies and textbook companies
23:42-26:36 PISA—Program for International Student Assessment
26:36-30:01 Fairtest’s proposals for alternatives to current testing system
29:45- Outro
References
- Click here to listen to Part 1 of our conversation with Harry Feder
- Fairtest website
Transcript
Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.
Soundtrack by Poddington Bear