Alberta Teachers Association fighting back standardized diagnostic testing [Video]

Kindergarteners in the province will receive standardized testing for the first time this month, something the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) says will negatively impact both teachers and students.

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“The value of these tests is minimal,” said ATA president Jason Schilling during a press conference on Wednesday.

“They cause stress and anxiety, especially for our younger students, whose developmental levels vary greatly amongst their peers.”

Schilling says the ATA, along with Richelle Marynowki from the University of Lethbridge, closely looked at the standardized diagnostic assessment tools (SDATs).

Schilling says the tests being timed creates pressure, leading students to feel like they failed at certain subjects they haven’t learned yet.

“Kindergarten is meant to foster a love for learning and build kids’ curiosity and creativity and these assessments jeopardize that,” Schilling added.

With growing class sizes in the province and the implementation …