Whats wrong with mandatory standardized testing?
The question of mandatory standardized testing comes up frequently in conversations about home education. While I strongly oppose this type of testing, I want to share with you a story that might help you better understand the reasons I consider this testing dangerous. When Micah was 5, he was having LOTS of fine and gross motor skill difficulties. After much deliberation with doctors, we ended up in the office of a specialist one day having overall testing (mental, physical, etc.) One of the things this specialist did was to show Micah pictures and ask him if he knew what the items were. Of course he could tell her what they all were (giraffe, piano, delivery truck, etc.) except ONE of the items. The picture was of a “purse.” Well, Micah was five years old and since he had been born, I had carried a diaper bag, not a purse, because he was quickly followed by three other babies in four years. All the friends we hung out with had little babies so they carried diaper bags, not purses. An
