Eroding Standards, Endless Conflict, By Jerry Mussio Summary
Standardized testing has been a controversial subject amongst many people. Many of the Grade 12 Provincials Examinations have been removed from the academic courses; thus, creating a dispute. In the article “B.C. Education: Eroding standards, endless conflict” by Jerry Mussio, the author shows support in standardized testing and discusses how eliminating the testing has had an adverse impact in British Columbia. Mussio claims that eliminating the Provincial Examinations has had a negative effect in British Columbia’s education system. He writes about how these actions are “eroding the foundations of [the] K-12 school system”(2). Mussio believes that eliminating the examinations has “weakened standards in the public school system” (2).
The author comments that the public education system has degenerated in the global ranking. In addition, Mussio explains how the examination program had been providing many teachers with insights about students learning. He acknowledges that the Provincial Examination program has “played a key role” (5) in British Columbia for over a century. Also, Mussio discusses the benefits that standardized testing has had; postulating the testing provides teachers with constructive information and issues about the students in British Columbia, which helps the teachers improve. Mussio concludes, “the most important benefit of the program [has been] lost” (6). Furthermore, the author explains the importance of standardized testing and how it has been beneficial for both students and teachers for the past century. He notes that "this program has played a key role...in developing...graduates...who have played a leadership role in social and economic developments of British Columbia"(5). Mussio explains how over the past century, the testing helped many young men and women "attain levels of achievement"(6) and the "opportunity to work hard"(6). Mussio shows support on standardized testing since he believes that it benefits students and teachers; he ventilates the deleterious outcome that dropping the standardized testing is having. Many examinations, with the exception of English 12, has been expunged from all senior academic courses; this has "set the stage for a decline in the quality public education,"(2) Mussio explains. Mussio, a man who is strongly in favour of standardized testing, believes that the school system is in decline due to the removal of the Provincial Examinations.
The author comments that the public education system has degenerated in the global ranking. In addition, Mussio explains how the examination program had been providing many teachers with insights about students learning. He acknowledges that the Provincial Examination program has “played a key role” (5) in British Columbia for over a century. Also, Mussio discusses the benefits that standardized testing has had; postulating the testing provides teachers with constructive information and issues about the students in British Columbia, which helps the teachers improve. Mussio concludes, “the most important benefit of the program [has been] lost” (6). Furthermore, the author explains the importance of standardized testing and how it has been beneficial for both students and teachers for the past century. He notes that "this program has played a key role...in developing...graduates...who have played a leadership role in social and economic developments of British Columbia"(5). Mussio explains how over the past century, the testing helped many young men and women "attain levels of achievement"(6) and the "opportunity to work hard"(6). Mussio shows support on standardized testing since he believes that it benefits students and teachers; he ventilates the deleterious outcome that dropping the standardized testing is having. Many examinations, with the exception of English 12, has been expunged from all senior academic courses; this has "set the stage for a decline in the quality public education,"(2) Mussio explains. Mussio, a man who is strongly in favour of standardized testing, believes that the school system is in decline due to the removal of the Provincial Examinations.