Measuring or Assessing Children?!?

When it pertains to testing, measuring or assessing children I believe there needs to be balance. I do not disagree with these techniques because I do think there has to be a standard to which we have something to compare to. However what I disagree with is how much "weight" they actually hold. I do not think that we should retain children in grades do to failure to achieve a set standard. I feel as if these test or assessments should not be a "one size fits all" category and should assess all aspects of development to include social-emotional, physical, language, literacy and understanding of the worlds around them. This is also where labeling would play a significant role. Labeling has its pros and cons but I do believe that it is necessary. If we are aware as to where a child is then we could meet them and assess them on their level. This would then lead to better attention being paid to children and a more customized learning experience that could lead to more success. In England there is a national curriculum used by all state schools. Children work at different levels according to their ability and age. There are 4 key stages with national testing at the end of each. Children with special needs will be working below level one of the national curriculum and are assessed according to performance level. The awarding of a P level unlike he national curriculum is left to the professional judgement of staff who use knowledge of the child, context of learning, evidence gathered before a decision is made based on everyday activity and monitoring to make a "best-fit judgement". goodschoolguide.co.uk