For administrators, there is no question they focus attention like a laser beam. Give me a break. Part of my attitude towards testing comes from being a classroom teacher. I don't need a test to tell me Sally can't write. I can see it for myself.
Teachers know the abilities, strengths and weaknesses of their students.
And every teacher knows that education, the love of learning, the process of becoming literate, expressive and understanding, is different for every child. It is immoral to ram every kid through a standardized test as a measurement of education. It distorts reality, and education has to be based on reality- real students. I want to make it clear that I do not have any problems with the testing of basic competencies. Our kids need the fundamental tools of learning and some testing may have the ability to focus of making sure kids don't make it to the fourth grade unable to read, write or multiply.