Studer Community Institute

Guest commentary: Refreshing discourse on testing

March 26, 2015
/ Maria Mitkevicius
/ government

It has been refreshing in recent weeks to see the public discourse surrounding standardized testing. As a Montessori educator, I applaud Gov. Rick Scott's decision to scale back exams. In Montessori schools all over the world, teachers are taught that observation should be the driving force in designing curriculum — observation of the whole child not just the academic aspect. [sidebar] Editor's note: In the 2014 Pensacola Metro Report, education emerged as this community’s top priority. As a result the Studer Community Institute staff in February launched the Pensacola Education Report 2015. A series of stories in three-part installments looked at, among other issues, the history of the FCAT, students, principals and teachers who are making a difference and building better readers through early education. To provide insight and perspective, the Institute invited people in the Pensacola Metro area from various walks of life to share their thoughts and impressions of the Education Report. [/sidebar] Over the next several days, read what they have to say at PensacolaToday.com and StuderInstitute.com. Montessori educators understand that effort, initiative, integrity, responsibility and empathy are important characteristics that are often better indicators of future success and happiness than the results of any one test. The state needs to spend more money on training teachers to use formative assessments to constantly monitor student progress so that adjustments can be made at the time they are needed — not a year or two later after analysis of a statewide assessment given to all children of the same age/grade. Montessori education has withstood the test of time. Students don't benefit from a stressful, expensive assessments — the alternative (ongoing observation that informs teachers and students on what is working and what needs to change in order for children to learn and achieve) is less expensive and serves children daily, weekly, and always at the time they need help. — Maria Mitkevicius Head of Montessori School Pensacola

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Guest commentary: Refreshing discourse on testing

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