Testing for Intelligence

I think that when you look at the whole child you should do just that…look at the whole child when you are trying to assess them.  Look at where they are from, where they live, what their home background is and what type (if any) of education they have had.  All of these are factors as to how children learn, grow, and develop their social skills.  These factors are important when it comes to the child being able to receive proper education and how they will process it.  Even children that live in the best “financial” situations may have abusive home environments that will prevent them from learning and growing socially in a positive manner.

I read a story about children in Africa and their school situations (Africa Recovery.  Retrieved: Oct.11, 2011).  Of course school is a luxury to them and those that have it appreciate it.  Most of the teachers don’t appear to have the time or resources to assess the students. With the ratio of teacher to students often being 1to70 the teacher doesn’t have a lot of time to spend in the class because he/she will often have to leave to work in other areas in order to survive.  Although, there have been many efforts to try and fix the education problem there is still much to be done.  However, in a country that doesn’t have financial resources it is hard to consider education as a priority.

I think that assessments are very valuable when done the proper way.  They allow us to plan curriculums and school contexts that are beneficial to the students and their families.  Assessments help us to provide quality education and services to the children that are in our care.  They also help us to provide information to the government to let them know what type of help and assistance is needed.

References:

Africa Recovery/UN/14#2.Schools in Africa.  Retrieved: Oct.11, 2011.

www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol14no2/educat.htm.