For many group 8 students, an exciting week has arrived: the flow-through key, formerly known as the Cito test, will be taken from today. But the test is under fire.
Some schools in the Netherlands even refuse to take him because they think he gives a distorted picture of the level of students. The discussion lives in Drenthe too.
Niels Strolenberg, chairman of Promes Educational Foundation in the municipality of Meppel, is not worried that the test leads to incorrect school advice. “The flow test is not decisive,” he says. “We follow a child intensively for eight years and have conversations with parents and students. The test is only a small part of the overall picture.”
Yet there are schools that doubt the reliability of the test. According to Strolenberg, this is mainly due to the large amount of keyboard providers. “Schools can choose from eight different tests of six commercial providers. Research from the PO council has shown that the results of the different tests vary. Some tests lead to higher advice more often, while others indicate a lower level. That raises questions on the reliability. “
Another point of criticism is that the test only focuses on language and arithmetic. “It is said that children can train on these parts and therefore get higher scores,” says Strolenberg. “That raises the question of whether the test actually reflects the level of a child.”
Adjusting the school advice based on the test result is also critical. “In some cases, a higher test result can justify an adjustment,” explains Strolenberg. “But we always have to look at the wider picture. A test is a snapshot and tension can also play a role. The school advice of the teacher must remain leading.”
Although some schools in the Netherlands refuse to take the test, participation remains required by law. The Education Inspectorate has addressed and warned schools that do not want to take the test for possible sanctions. “In Drenthe there are certainly schools that would rather not give the test,” says Strolenberg. “But if you don’t take it, you get a lot of hassle. It is better to discuss with parents and children which school level fits best.”
Promes therefore argues to abolish the flow test in its current form. “He is not decisive for us,” says Strolenberg. “The system could be better.”