Mike

=Test Retakes = Mike Carter

The issue of offering test and quiz retakes is controversial enough considering the fact that test and quizzes are widely disputed as effective forms of assessing learning anyway. I found it difficult to argue this topic without it somehow seeping over to summative vs. formative assessments or effort-based learning vs. skill-based. After all, if, in order to be equitable, a teacher needs to modify a test for students with learning impairments, then why should the test be student’s end all for proving mastery? And if we’re to teach kids that effort counts, how can we explain that we can assign a heavily-weighted portion of their grade from 45 minutes worth of work on one day on a subject that may have taken weeks to explore? These thoughts, as well as many others, brought me to the conclusion that, as with nearly everything we’ve covered in this class, modification is the key to a successful retake policy.

Pros to offering retakes...

 * 1) Test anxiety? No problem!
 * 2) So you had a bad day... try again.
 * 3) Emphasis on effort over skill
 * 4) Good students don't suffer from one poor grade
 * 5) In the end, hopefully mastery can be proven.

Cons to offering retakes...

 * 1) Jeopardizes authenticity
 * 2) Write up multiple versions of the same test? Who am I, SuperTeacher?
 * 3) Pressure: We all have to face it some day.
 * 4) Do students slack with studying?
 * 5) Contradicts the mentality of getting a job done right the first time.