A pedagogy of respect and a search for democracy: equalizing California's educational system

Standardized testing is at an all time high and continues to grow in California's elementary and secondary schools and has given rise to a very unhealthy and obsessive outlook on assessment. This paper contextualizes the importance of steering away from standardized testing assessment and advocates for more holistic evaluation in the form of portfolio assessment. Sources of Data: Experts in the field of standardized testing and portfolio assessment including Peter Sacks, Debra Meier, Alfie Kohn, Jonathan Kozol, Kathleen Blake Yancey, Liz Hamp-Lyons and William Condon. Conclusions Reached: When looking at standardized testing and comparing it to other forms of assessment, portfolio assessment is a much better form of assessing students in California public schools as it allows and promotes a pedagogy of respect and democracy within the classroom by encouraging student individuality and creativity.