Contradictions of School Reform
Educational Costs of Standardized Testing
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
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- Hardback£135.00(9780415920735)
This book examines the impact of standardized testing on students and teachers, highlighting how the focus on test preparation undermines educational quality, despite widespread concerns about students' mastery of basic skills.
Contradictions of School Reform examines the increasing reliance on standardized testing in education as a response to the widespread failure of students to acquire essential skills. The book delves into the impact of these testing practices on both students and teachers, providing a critical perspective on the effectiveness of such measures. It highlights the concerns voiced by parents and community activists who argue that the educational system is not adequately supporting children’s learning needs.
The author presents a thorough analysis of how standardized testing shapes educational outcomes, emphasizing the disconnect between test preparation and genuine learning. By focusing on the metrics of student improvement and teacher performance, the book argues that the pressure to perform well on tests often leads to teaching strategies that prioritize test-taking skills over a deeper understanding of the material. This approach can undermine the overall quality of education, as it encourages a narrow focus on rote memorization rather than fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Ultimately, Contradictions of School Reform calls into question the effectiveness of standardized testing as a solution to educational challenges. It invites readers to consider the broader implications of a system that prioritizes test scores over holistic educational practices. Through its insightful examination of these issues, the book encourages a reevaluation of current educational reforms and advocates for a more balanced approach that truly supports student learning and development.
"High-stakes state-mandated standardization is rapidly spreading throughout the United States. McNeil examines the widely emulated accountability system in Texas and concludes that it has adverse effects on teaching and learning, stifles democratic discourse, and perpetuates inequities for minority students." -- Kappan June 2000
"The complex narratives in this book are entertaining... McNeil exposes the sameness of education-manifested in standardized tests-as a pseudonym for inequality." -- American School Board Journal, August 2001
" Contradictions of School Reform tackles head-on the issue of race - in particular, the myth that test-based reform is a way to institute higher standards for students of color. . . The beauty of McNeil's book is that she combines a solid theoretical grounding with a close-up of what actually happened in Houston [Texas] schools. . . Next time someone starts spouting about the Texas educational miracle, give that person a copy of McNeil's book." -- Barbara Miner in Progressive , August 2000
"McNeil punctures the myth that test-driven curricula raise the floor of student achievement. She found that Houston's magnet schools and many other classrooms throughout the system compromised higher academic quality by adopting a system to identify bad teachers, a system that forced teachers to divorce their subject knowledge from their classroom lessons." -- Education Review, July 13, 2001.
"McNeil's detailed account clearly shows that the consequences of educational reform in Texas - particulaarly high stakes standardized testing - produced the unintended consequences of deskilling teachers and redefining the education in inner city schools to focus on standardized test taking. This dismantled authentic education and created classrooms in which teachers and students colluded to create lowered educational expectations." -- Teachers College Record', Vol. 104, 2001
ISBN: 9780415920742
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 453g
338 pages