Remedial and Support Teachers'
Association
of Queensland
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›› Reviews |
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A
teacher's guide to standardised reading tests: knowledge is power Many
of us are familiar with Lucy Calkins’ work on writing and the
beliefs she holds about literacy teaching. The topic of her new book,
standardised assessment, therefore seemed somewhat of a surprise.
Because standardised testing is a pervasive feature of education in
America, Calkins has written this book to help teachers understand
how tests work and to help teachers feel ‘less victimised’
by them. On
such a topic, one might expect a book of turgid technicality but this
book is extremely readable. It is a personalised account of Calkins’
own exploration of this field and the questions and issues which arose
as she struggled to understand the technicalities, politics and educational
issues associated with standardised systemic assessment. Her views
are augmented by those of her co-authors, one of whom is a classroom
teacher, the others, assessment experts. The
general topics dealt with are evident on the headings given to the
four sections which make up the book:
Australian
teachers are moving into a new era - one where standardised tests
are a part of the educational scene. Australian education, however,
does not have a history of systemic standardised testing and many
of us are unfamiliar with the tests that are constructed and the associated
issues. Calkins’ book details the American experience which is
of much longer standing. It offers us a chance to learn from the experience
of others. School administrators and teachers whose school year is
coloured by the presence of THE TEST will find this book particularly
informative. Publisher: Heinemann. Reviewed by Lee Willett |