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Created: September 12, 2003
Latest Update: September 12, 2003
jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu

Labeling by Numbers and the Trouble with Tests

Site Copyright: Jeanne Curran and Susan R. Takata and Individual Authors, September 2003.
"Fair use" encouraged.

On Thursday, September 11, 2003, Katie Williams, CSUDH, wrote:

Jeannie,
I've decided to choose question #4, "can numbers tell you how many smart people live in Los Angeles?" My answer is "absolutely not!" The researchers gather data by testing people. I truly believe that some people do not test well. It's not their fault. We should have classes that prepare adults and children in the area of testing.

Why? Is testing something we need to learn? Will it help us build something, or make better descisions? Or will it just serve to label and catalog us as "good test takers" and "not so good test takers? Think how many valuable skills we could learn instead. jeanne

Tests can be nerve wracking and cause high anxiety. If a person is freaking out before a test, they are not going to do well. For example, my brother brought home straight A's, but scored very low on the state tests. He is not a stupid kid, he just doesn't test well. The researchers would conclude that my brother has a low IQ, but in fact, he just doesn't test well.

Well, if they do conclude that from one set of state tests we can be sure of one thing, they didn't do so well on their own tests in research. jeanne

When a person is labeled it is heartbreaking, insulting, and unfair.

Yes, it is. For more detail on labeling: Knowing or Epistemology. Or do a Google search on our site.

There are many ways to be "smart." Honesty, I believe that intelligence is subjective. I am in awe of people who can draw. I can only draw stick figures!! People who can draw, are intelligent in an artistic way. People who create beautiful art on a canvas, may not be able to write an essay. For a person to be labeled, limits their capability and drive.
"Katie"

I agree. But it's time to end that stick figure feeling:

Sociology 328 as Stickemen.