2017 NAEP: Summarizing Group Changes
7 years ago
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Rewarding Mediocrity
Dr. Marzano makes the point on page 59 of his book that students can learn a valuable lesson from the reinforcements that teachers give, i.e. "the harder you try, the more successful you are." This seems to be in direct opposition to the current trend for standardized tests that have lowered the reasons for trying hard for the most talented students. Those who work hard get the same kind of score (Advanced Pass or Pass) and don't really receive a lot of recognition for learning more than the most basic information. What is the motivation for students to strive for higher success in an educational system that rewards mediocrity? I am at a loss to find such motivation in the schools today and hope that a fellow educator can come up with an answer. Are we truly training our students to work hard, or are we settling for allowing them to think that they have succeeded when they pass a minimum competency test?
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I believe that we do reward mediocrity with standardized testing as well. Our system is set up that way, and honestly, it does not prepare our students for real world circumstances. It also does not teach students to excel and to pursue what they are most interested in so that they can learn the most information possible about their possible future careers. My students now are often at a loss as to what to do in life, and many are unmotivated to search for their passions. We teach them this attitude in some ways, and it is tragic. We need to teach our students to truly strive for success, to find out the answers to as many questions as possible, and most importantly, to learn the value of a true education... one that will teach our students to seek information long after they have exited a "formal" educational setting.
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