I think that students should be able to show what they learn in class by using diverse methods, which does not include standardized tests. When being assessed by a standardized test, such as the MAP test, students are not able to show their full capability and knowledge. This occurs due to the fact that these tests are not completely proportional and accurate with what was taught in school. As a student who has taken the MAP test various times, I can testify that some questions ask students things they have never seen been taught in their classrooms before. Also, while students are not able to answer various questions due to their lack of knowledge in the specific question, they are not able to show what they actually learned and know. The Garfield boycott shows that besides students, teachers and parents as well as other educators are protesting, which should be an indicator of how these are not the best option. Students also have a lot of pressure on them while answering the questions that will determine their future, meaning which college they go to, a factor which might cause the student to not reach its entire potential. It also takes away a person's creativity and the right to express themselves, forcing people to think only "in the box". Therefore I completely agree with the Garfield movement. Letting students show their true potential by creating a new effective system of learning and testing, by abolishing standardized tests would be the solution.
