Standardized Tests.

Standardized tests are always a big dilemma in the classroom. The scores on these tests often influence funding for the schools. Because of this many schools 'teach to the test' in order to guarantee high enough scores. Personally I do not like standardized tests for this reason. I do not believe that schools should get money based on how well their students do on tests. If schools do not do well on standardized tests and are denied funding, how are they suppose to get they things they need to do better on the tests next time around?

Also as a student these tests are a very stressful time. Teachers are so stressed by wanting their students to do well on standardized tests, they often stress out their students too. School schedule not be a stressful place. These tests that influence a whole school, are taking away from the educational experience.

Portfolios.

Personally, I love portfolios. I think they are a neat and organized way to track the progress of students thought their educational careers. Portfolios can hold the best (or worst) of a students work. I think that having good and bad work will make the portfolios more valuable as a reference. Keeping both types of graded work handy will allow the students and teachers to use the portfolios as a reference when completing new assignments. The students will know exactly what the teacher does and does not want.

Portfolios are helpful for both students and teachers. Teachers can use portfolios to track the development of each student. I know as a young student my teachers would keep portfolios of writing and track the developments myself and my classmates made. This can be used as a form of assessment because the teachers can see of the students are actually understanding the work.