standardization

The opening paragraphs of chapter 32 were enough to help me write my blog entry because I am totally againnst standardized tests that promote rote learning and memorization. My co-op in student teaching has really helped influence my decision on this because all of her tests are short answer/essay so that the students need to explain themselves and their thought process. At first I wasn't sure that short answer tests were the best for some of her regular freshman history course and were better suited for the college prep juniors, but after seeing some of the tests that the freshman have turned in I am sold that this is a truly effective way to assess learning.
Maybe this isn't true for all subjects, but with so much to cover in social studies and so little time to get through it all, having short answer questions that encompass multiple important events really become necessary. Also, a child can memorize that the 2nd amendment involves the right to bear arms all they want, but if they don't know what that amendment means in regard to their every day life, then what is the use of memorizing the amendment in the first place?
For the most part my early education was rote learning or memorization, and I truly believe that that kind of learning made my freshman year in college that much more difficult.