In his article Beyond the Bubble Test: Why We Need Performance Assessments,

Matthew Lynch argues that Americas current method of standardized testing is limiting the
success of our students. He gives examples of unique schools and other countries who use
open-ended performance assessments to teach real-world skills. Clearly, all students need
these kinds of opportunities if we are to achieve our goals of college- and career-readiness for
all. Lynch claims that teaching to a test is inhibiting, and that this is an applicable solution.
While I agree that teaching to a test is not the best teaching method, I would argue that the
methods Lynch offers is still teaching to a test: the test of college. Although these methods seem
completely different from one another, they share a common goal, preparing everyone for
college. Why is it that our country is so focussed on sending everyone to college?
I think a better solution would be teaching to life. In a country this large, and this
populated, not everyone can have a high level job, thats simply numbers. We need people welltrained in every role of the working system of the country, more than we need mass education.
Perhaps, instead of teaching to the end-goal of college, we should educate towards real life
career paths. Not everyone needs to go to college.
Lynch also argues that this method will, shape their [students] ability to learn to learn in
new contexts. Is it possible to teach people how to learn? I have always thought that everyone
was capable of learning, but you had to be willing. You cannot force someone to want to learn.