Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2017

Thesis Director

Tamatha (Lisa) L. Brooks

Abstract

Theorist Jean Piaget in the 1920's abandoned standardized testing which he viewed as, "forcing children to respond into artificial channels of set questions and answers" (as cited in Crain, 2011, p. 119). Piaget decided to create a different type of assessment which included an open-ended interview, "which encourages the flow of spontaneous tendencies" (as cited in Crain, 2011, p. 119). John Locke (2003), believed that an individual learns through experiences. Jean Rousseau (2003), believed more in the natural child-centered, and experience-based learning. Pestalozzi (2003), believed that children learn by doing, and that children should be educated physically, emotionally, and mentally (Henson, 2003). The purpose of the study was to explore the developmentally appropriate implementation of both the Common Core State Standards and the computer-based standardized testing for students in grades third through sixth.

The FlyDAC questionnaire was distributed through email, to teachers who teach grades third through sixth. Seven participants answered demographic and developmentally appropriate Common Core State Standards, and computer-based standardized testing questions as well as open-ended questions. The demographics, the developmentally appropriate Common Core State Standards, and computer-based standardized testing data, were analyzed using frequencies. Qualitative analysis found three themes. 1) Developmental appropriate standards. 2) Teachers do not know what his or her students are being tested on. 3) Keyboards as a tool for written responses for students in the grades third through sixth. Further research should expand on the developmentally appropriate implementation of both the standards and computer-based testing by including more school districts. In addition, future researchers could compare the possible educational gaps which may exist due to the differences from one school district that uses iPads as an educational tool, compared to other school districts who do not have enough access to computers within the same region.

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