Top Teacher: The Impact of Standardized Testing and Streaming on Student Success

Award-winning educator Welby Ings, a top teacher in New Zealand, believes it’s time to take a fresh look at the education system. He thinks we need to go beyond standard testing and streaming that often falls short in recognizing the full potential and intelligence of students.

In his new book, “Invisible Intelligence: Why Your Child Might Not Be Failing,” Ings argues that policymakers sometimes opt for simple solutions due to the pressure of assessing students’ numeracy and literacy skills. He proposes a more personalized testing approach where teachers provide detailed evaluations to capture the complete range of a student’s abilities. Additionally, Ings suggests removing streaming in schools.

According to Ings, research indicates that standardized testing and streaming aren’t effective for most people. He explains that these practices can diminish students’ self-confidence and limit their future possibilities. In his own experience, Ings was once considered a trouble student and struggled with reading and writing until the age of 15. Despite these challenges, he went on to achieve national recognition for his teaching, filmmaking, and design work.

For a comprehensive understanding of Ings’ perspective, you can watch his interview in the video provided. The focus is on reimagining education to better support the diverse talents and capabilities of every individual.