Standard 4. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Effective educational leaders develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote each student’s academic success and well-being. Effective leaders:

a) Implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment that promote the mission, vision, and core values of the school, embody high expectations for student learning, align with academic standards, and are culturally responsive.

b) Align and focus systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment within and across grade levels to promote student academic success, love of learning, the identities and habits of learners, and healthy sense of self.

c) Promote instructional practice that is consistent with knowledge of child learning and development, effective pedagogy, and the needs of each student.

d) Ensure instructional practice that is intellectually challenging, authentic to student experiences, recognizes student strengths, and is differentiated and personalized.

e) Promote the effective use of technology in the service of teaching and learning.

f) Employ valid assessments that are consistent with knowledge of child learning and development and technical standards of measurement.

g) Use assessment data appropriately and within technical limitations to monitor student progress and improve instruction.

GELS 4 activity: discuss and reflect The Global Impact of Testing

Reflection: The Global Impact of Testing

By: Hadi Alqahtani & Areej Alshahrani

The role of testing in education has been increasing, and many countries have started to adopt standardized tests to improve the performance of students. Such approaches have been controversial because tests overlook such vital factors as cultural differences and economic situation in the country. The primary argument is that the impact of testing all over the globe is beneficial because it helps nations to determine which areas are in need of improvement.

The need to strengthen economies has facilitated the spread of testing in various areas of the world. Authorities utilize test scores to keep track of the progress shown by students and measure the performance of educators. Such measures can be helpful because they help policymakers to determine which educational strategies work better than others. The issue is that many scholars have started to criticize the accuracy of testing arguing that tests may discriminate against students that live in poverty and do not have access to necessary resources for studying. The situation becomes particularly problematic when policymakers start to make decisions based on the results of testing and start to compare districts while overlooking differences in funding (Mulvenon & Bowman, 2016). Similarly, some individuals have started to evaluate the performance of all countries when it comes to the overall quality of education with a use of test results. However, one has to recognize that it is inappropriate to make such comparisons without considering the differences between the nations. However, testing methodologies are always changing, and it is possible that scholars can improve their efficiency. Globalization has helped countries to eliminate some of the cultural and language barriers, and students can visit other countries without significant difficulties. Therefore, one has to acknowledge the usefulness of data collected because it has an influence on the development of the global economy. The overall impact of testing on the world is enormous because it has changed the way education is perceived by the general public.

The United States has managed to reach rank seven among best countries for education according to BAV Consulting and the Wharton School (McPhillips, 2017). The country’s economy is the biggest in the world, but it struggles when it comes to the quality of education. The problem is that education is too expensive at the moment and it suffers as the result of high levels of inefficiency. Additionally, the focus of the educational system is too limited, and students do not have opportunities to choose which subjects they want to learn at an early age, and such limitations have long-term implications. Similarly, some groups of people suffer due to continuous oppression, and the government does not allocate sufficient resources to schools in such neighborhoods. Therefore, it is clear that education in the United States is not as efficient as it can be due to a combination of factors. On the other hand, the list suggests that Saudi Arabia has reached rank 50 this year when it comes to the level of education. One may argue that this position is not impressive, but it is imperative to recognize that a significant percentage of the population lives in poverty. It can be difficult for children to focus on studying under such conditions and many parents disregard the importance of education. Moreover, the region has been developing at a rapid rate, and the level of education has increased significantly over the last few years. Therefore, the situation may improve dramatically in the future, but it requires effective leadership and commitment to the improvement of current systems.

Countries that want to reach a higher position within the list will have to focus on the development of efficient educational and leadership standards. Educators must acknowledge that they have a broad range of responsibilities and principals must demonstrate their commitment as leaders towards the improvement of the level of education. Leaders should utilize their positions to influence others and provide an environment that supports collaboration and efficient communication. Countries must set high standards for educators to ensure that the quality of education provided is satisfactory. Teachers also can become leaders and exchange ideas with students according to leadership standards. Such leaders should encourage young individuals to focus on studying by explaining the benefits associated with obtained knowledge and discussing opportunities for future employment. Moreover, it is paramount to promote professional responsibility and avoid corruption because individuals make take advantage of funds allocated to schools to satisfy personal needs. Additionally, countries will require strict leadership standards related to government spending. Nations must recognize that it is impossible to address such issues as the lack of high-quality education only by increasing spending. It is much more reasonable to increase the awareness about complications that may arise, and a strong leadership would help to motivate the population to focus on the development of possible solutions.

Sustainable development theory is a model that supports the position presented in this paper. The theory suggests that regions that try to develop in a particular area must ensure that this type of development is sustainable and it would not limit opportunities for other generations. In other words, nations that want to improve the quality of education should not utilize all available resources to solve the problem and must ensure that the use of resources is efficient, and would benefit the country in the long-term. Transformational leadership is another theory that helps to support this position. This concept refers to a leadership approach that helps to increase the level of motivation among students with a use of close interactions and establishment of long-term relationships. Professionals commonly utilize this approach in educational facilities, and it has produced outstanding results in such countries as the United Kingdom.

It is unreasonable for a country to disregard the importance of education because it is one of the most efficient methods of getting people out of poverty. The issue is that some regions have suffered as the result of continuous oppression and environmental challenges. Astounding numbers of individuals do not have access to high-quality education, and the lack of professional knowledge limits their opportunities for employment. Additionally, countries around the world must recognize that they exist within an environment where they have to compete with other regions due to the development of international trade. Globalization facilitates the introduction of student exchange programs and other types of cooperation related to education. Furthermore, countries that cannot offer high-quality education do not have the same opportunities and are likely to suffer in the long-term if other states continue to focus on the improvement of their educational systems. Therefore, the United States and other countries should try to compete with others to achieve a higher rank when it comes to education because it is one of the deciding factors that influence the well-being of people in a region.

In summary, the discussion supports the assertion that the overall impact of testing over the globe is beneficial. Scholars may utilize collected testing data to develop techniques and methodologies that can improve the performance of students. Countries that underperform when it comes to the level of education should consider the experience of other regions. Overall, strong leadership is required to make significant changes in the area, and it could help countries to attain better results.

References

McPhillips, D. (2017, March 7). Best countries for education. U. S. News. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-education

Mulvenon, S., & Bowman, S. G. (2016). An evaluation of how the "policies of K-12 testing" impact the effectiveness of global testing programs. In W. C. Smith (Ed.), The global testing Culture: Shaping education policy, perceptions, and practice (pp. 193-210). Oxford, UK: Symposium Books.