Standardized Testing at Elementary Schools in Turkey: Perceptions of Students, Teachers, and Principals

• In Event: Assessment Studies Focused on Pre-Kindergarten and Early Childhood Design, Development, and Stakeholder Perceptions

Abstract

This study investigates how students, parents, teachers and principals perceive Level Determination Test (LDT) carried out at 6th, 7th and 8th grade levels at elementary schools in Turkey. LDT was introduced in 2007 to measure students’ achievement in transition from elementary to secondary school. Through a descriptive survey design, 3824 participants selected through cluster random sampling from the population responded to the questionnaires. The data analysis showed that LDT receives less appoval from the participants compared to other evaluation methods such as teacher-made tests and classroom assessment. However, students and parents are more positive about LDT than teachers and principals. LDT has drastically reshaped the teaching and learning processes in schools as well as conceptions of education and achievement.

Author

• Ali Yildirim, Middle East Technical University - Northern Cyprus Campus