My Philosophy of education is grounded in the premise that schools should stress the process of learning rather than testing. Today's teachers have to educate the most diverse student body in U.S. history, and as such we will have to apply our knowledge, our creativity and our ingenuity to ensure that all students receive a quality education. This cannot be achieved by teaching to the test. While I strongly believe that standards are necessary and that learning must be measurable, academic excellence cannot be measured by standardized tests. To possess knowledge, students must learn to think carefully and critically, and also learn how to act responsibly. No single test can reveal this. Standards, however, are crucial because they set goals for teachers and students alike, and provide a solid foundation. Students need to know what they are expected to know. A meaningful curriculum will motivate students to want to learn as well as arouse their curiosity to learn about the world and their place in it. As educators, we must prepare our students to become functioning, successful individuals and members of society.
The current movement to national standardized testing will not reveal how well educated a child is. It will show some of the skills that have been mastered, but overall my philosophy is that teaching and learning cannot be judged by a single measure. A standardized test does not demonstrate a student's creativity, resourcefulness, adeptness or capacity. Tea
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