Customer Reviews

The Truth About Testing: An Educator's Call to Action

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If education is in trouble -- here is the Savior. Popham has finally addressed, spelled out and suggested the cures for the present ill-advised and unrealistic push for standardized testing which leaves students,teachers and schools imprisoned by impossible and educationally unsound and biased testing. Popham says it all when he tells us that test developers must think instructionally, realistically and honestly. Popham makes the reader understand the tragic consequences of allowing non-involved, classroom illiterate test-makers to control the educational consequences of millions of students, teachers and public school administrators. Hasn't the mess in medicine taught us the sad lesson of allowing the uninformed to take over the decisions and the physical health of our people, which has led to less yet more expensive healing? Popham makes clear why the lists of hundreds and hundreds of "standards" are impossible to test accurately and how they keep true education from occurring since teachers can't even teach all the standards let alone anything that makes each student realize his/her own uniqueness. Every state legislator that EVER gave his vote or support to standardized testing as it is formatted today, should read Popham's book and somehow find a way and the time to join the effort to return teaching to the classroom instead of leaving it in a test-making corporation's board room. Our students have become the victims of people who can't teach but think they know how. Read this book and pass it on!

Educator and author James Popham's The Truth About Testing takes a critical look at the standardized achievement tests used in America's schools today. The qualities that these tests <i>really</i> measure are not necessarily what the people who tout them claim, and their exaggerated importance in rating the school systems could have severe and destructive consequences on the future of the children who are learning how to do well on certain tests - and not necessarily how to perform the mathematical, scientific, and critical thinking skills they will need when they graduate. educator and author Popham also presents a common sense and practical alternatives to how test data should be used in the classroom, and evidence-gathering strategies that teachers and administrators can use to create a thriving, accountability-driven educational institution. Articulate, instructive, and well-thought-out, The Truth About Testing is a "must" for any educator who needs to effectively evaluate just how well his or her students are really doing.

Dr. Popham does an excellent job of covering the basics (and beyond) regarding assessment. He also challenges the reader to be active in assessment reform. His unique writing style is humorous and engaging. This is a feat when writing about assessment! This book is packed full of valuable information on assessments and is a must for educators who work in today's high-stake testing environments!

If education is in trouble -- here is the Savior. Popham has finally addressed, spelled out and suggested the cures for the present ill-advised and unrealistic push for standardized testing which leaves students,teachers and schools imprisoned by impossible and educationally unsound and biased testing. Popham says it all when he tells us that test developers must think instructionally, realistically and honestly. Popham makes the reader understand the tragic consequences of allowing non-involved, classroom illiterate test-makers to control the educational consequences of millions of students, teachers and public school administrators. Hasn't the mess in medicine taught us the sad lesson of allowing the uninformed to take over the decisions and the physical health of our people, which has led to less yet more expensive healing? Popham makes clear why the lists of hundreds and hundreds of "standards" are impossible to test accurately and how they keep true education from occurring since teachers can't even teach all the standards let alone anything that makes each student realize his/her own uniqueness. Every state legislator that EVER gave his vote or support to standardized testing as it is formatted today, should read Popham's book and somehow find a way and the time to join the effort to return teaching to the classroom instead of leaving it in a test-making corporation's board room. Our students have become the victims of people who can't teach but think they know how. Read this book and pass it on!

I wish all educators would read this book. I have already bought 2 more copies, to give to some teacher friends. The truth about testing from a former educator's point of view. Too bad the state departments of education don't follow his advice.