The “Miseducation of The Larry P” Case Is a Representation of How Standardized Testing Negates The “Whole Child”

The standardization of both norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests were created to measure the skills and attributes of individuals in society. While these rankings reflect an individualistic society and the lack of family collaboration, it can easily misrepresent the individual as a whole, just as it did to Darryl Lester in the Larry P case. 

Darryl Lester, the black child who was misrepresented, had a reading disability which was not comprehensively assessed which he then failed to pass the norm and was then put in a “mentally retarded” class. Below are  the benefits and weaknesses of these tests from a structural point of view; where individuals like white children who have been privileged and in favour of many systems are able to fit into these standards, and children outside of this group fall short within these standards, creating a disconnect and further pushing society away from a state of equity.

Norm-referencing tests

Strengths	Weaknesses
·         based on children within a group of similar age, language, culture, gender and income ·         The test aims to ensure that the group is representative of the child	·         Representative sample often fails to accurately represent the child ·         Test questions are fundamentally Eurocentric in viewpoints ·         Its measures are designed to compare students

Criterion-referenced tests:

Strengths	Weaknesses
·         How well they are able to reflect and assess the corresponding skill ·         Places expectation on both teacher and student – general outcome	·         Universal acceptable standards ·         Skill and objective are based on program and subject that are fundamentally rooted from westernized standpoint.

These tests fail to represent a diverse community and are not a “one-size-fits-all” approach. It is important to recognize that although they are trying to represent the child, it fails primarily on a structural level. A standardized test that was created by a white individual will favour this one group and is not inherently culturally competent, which fails to assess accurately; if the assessment questions are fundamentally flawed, radical progress won’t happen. Overall, they undermine the human experience; whether it be a norm-referenced or criterion-referenced, the problem although these are standardized tests, as educators and professionals within our professional pedagogy, it is vital that they are not held to a high standard and instead, viewed with a critical eye.

So, How Can Educations Assess Without Testing? View Photo Below:

Listen to the Larry P Podcast by clicking >>>>> HERE

 HERE are  9 Anxiety Busters to support children during standardized testing

Courtesy of BrittanyC@NU