Standards and testing
Most people would agree that schools need to aim for adequate and appropriate standards of learning. Debate seems to center on how those standards are set, who sets them, and above all how students' achievement of standards is measured. 'Data' are important, but need to be based on good information - and the gathering of data needs to be integrated into the school day in a way that overall supports rather than impedes the student's development and their achievement of standards. We will add links as we can, but to start with here is a link to an event that recently hit the headlines (September 2014). It illustrates quite well how changing demands for data can mess up the school day.
Florida kindergarten teacher refuses to give her students a standardized test
Florida kindergarten teacher refuses to give her students a standardized test