We all know about NWEA MAP Testing. The 50-question, self-adjusting test that drives us crazy. But for some students, it’s more than just the torturous test that drives them insane. We talked to a student who wanted to discuss what she saw.
The only mentions of females throughout poetry were either a man talking all about a woman's physical beauty or talking about Mother Nature in unity with mankind, not even humankind. I am beyond disgusted by the implications in young minds of all genders that men lead literature and every topic in politics and beyond. What threw me over was two articles comparing women's rights, not quite supporting or arguing, just about them. Both of which were written by men. I gathered data and found that fourteen articles were authored by men, only three by a female. Other students agreed.
Not just this test, but many other school tests are profoundly more geared towards men. This, and the information we gathered from other students, wasn't like a 45/55 representation difference, but a much more dramatic one. We even went to the degree of noting word problems on the Math MAP Test. Here's what we concluded on the gender subjects of the problems: 9 were about men, 3 were about women. This not only affects the way we learn and understand certain subjects but also perpetuates gender stereotypes and biases, on children starting from a young age.
When looking at the representation of women in literature and politics, it is clear that there is a significant lack of female voices being heard. This lack of representation not only limits our understanding of different perspectives but also reinforces the idea that men are the primary leaders and authorities in these fields.
The more these tests evolve, the more inappropriate they are for students to take. An introduction to politics isn't much, but political implications and clear biases on children are a problem. I also found many illusion testing questions based on religion, only a handful of students might be familiar, which does nothing in creating a balanced and fair testing system. It is just a shame to think how apparently ‘accidental’ the mass gender differences are. I don't see what’s so difficult about that.
It is time for us as students to demand more diverse and inclusive education that represents all genders equally. By advocating for change in our curriculum and testing materials, we can work towards a more equitable learning environment for everyone. Let's raise our voices and make a difference in how we are educated!