Ever since I can remember I have been passionately interested in the outdoors. From the day I could walk, I would be outside exploring. As a toddler I needed to be carefully watched by my parents, as I would wander off, following geese into the fields. Many times I would fall into our pond trying to catch little reptiles and amphibians.

      Through the years I have studied nature up close and in depth. My observational skills have developed as has my ability to keep my mind focused. Art classes I have taken have helped me tremendously in learning to turn on deep focusing skills while doing my artwork, which helps me in my nature observations as well.

      In the past year I have decided that I want to combine my skills and become a naturalist and nature photographer. In order to achieve my goal I plan to study both art and the natural sciences (botany, biology, ornithology, zoology, ecology, etc.)

      I am currently a student in the Kamana Naturalist Training Program. I go to a 'secret spot' and sit without moving for fifteen minutes to observe everything with all of my senses; the smell of the plants, the feel of humidity, the sound of insects, the direction birds fly by. I will also continue taking photography classes. John Young ("Seeing Through Native Eyes") is the sort of naturalist that I would like to be.

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      In the U.S. standardized tests are given out to school students more than in most other developed nations, which do not start administering tests until high school. Testing does not "test" a students level of learning, instead, it proves a child's skill at memorizing factoids quickly - and often promptly forgetting them.

      Seeing who has scored the highest in the latest test does not show the most talented kid in the school. Tests will most likely show who can memorize pieces of information and repeat them the fastest. This does not mean that the person who won is any better at completing problems than anyone else, but just quicker, even if someone else can actually do the problem better. Also, so-called "Tough Tests" do not mean a higher standard, they simply mean more memorization. For example, a standard eighth grade math test is advertised as "Tough" because it includes algebra. One would think that to be able to do these tests, one must have a deep understanding of algebra. Not true. All a student would have to do is memorize formulas, even if the student does not understand them, and simply recite it when the time comes. And then the student might receive a high test score, get into an honors class, and still know nothing about algebra.

      In short, standardized tests do not necessarily prove any real learning. They test a students ability to memorize, and whether or not a student has learned anything is secondary. Then why do we keep using such primitive methods? The answer is simple: because people refuse to change. For of reasons I cannot understand, many people do not want to change their way of life- except for a few. And some of those few are homeschoolers.

More information: www.fairtest.org

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