Some commonly mentioned charges against testing directed toward the use of aptitude and achievement tests are:

•Criticism 1: Tests Create Anxiety
•Criticism 2: Tests Categorize and Label Students
•Criticism 3: Tests Damage Students’ Self-Concepts
•Criticism 4: Tests Create Self-fulfilling Prophecies

No matter what your personal stance is, when you put on the teacher’s hat, you are expected by your school and TEA to persuade your students, parents, and the general community the benefits of mandated tests. Read through Chapter 1 and explain and defend 2 criticisms from above in your own words as if you were talking to parents in a teacher/parent conference.

You will write a 1-2 page analysis of the criticisms you have chosen. Include an introduction describing why you chose the criticisms you did. You will need to determine strengths and concerns, but overall your responses needs to be positive because you are addressing parents. Include references to course readings or other research articles you found in the UHD Library databases in order to support your work.

You will have the opportunity to complete 6 Critical Thinking assignments during the course of the semester. Each assignment should be approximately 1-2 pages in length, be written in APA format, and include references to the course readings to support your work.