What standardized tests don't measure | Nikki Adeli | TEDxPhiladelphia

Summary

Deke Adelie, a junior at the Science Leadership Academy, shares his journey from Iran to Mississippi and finally to Philadelphia. He reflects on the limitations of standardized testing and its impact on students' potential, contrasting it with his experiences in South Korea and Iran. Deke emphasizes the importance of real-world learning opportunities, like those at SLA, which foster creativity and community involvement. He calls for a shift in educational focus from test scores to practical skills and experiences, urging adults to support and believe in the potential of today's youth.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker's parents emigrated from Iran to America for better educational opportunities.
• 🏫 Growing up in Starkville, Mississippi, the speaker found a lack of distractions but also a lack of critical thinking in schools.
• 🐸 A 6th-grade frog dissection unit sparked the speaker's curiosity about the meaning of learning beyond memorization.
• 🧠 The speaker questioned the impact of geographic disadvantages on educational potential and competitiveness.
• 💼 The concept of competition on a national level was highlighted through the example of a high-earning teacher in South Korea.
• 📚 The Iranian education system was described as highly focused on testing for university admission.
• 🌐 The speaker's experiences in Iran showed that extracurricular activities were not valued for college applications.
• 💸 Budget cuts in Philadelphia targeted arts, music, and after-school clubs, emphasizing the importance of testing.
• 🏛️ SLA (Science Leadership Academy) was chosen for its focus on student responsibility and choice in learning.
• 👨‍💼 The speaker is developing software through an internship at Penn Medicine to improve hospital outpatient processes.
• 📈 As a Philadelphia Youth Commissioner, the speaker is creating a resolution to mandate real-world learning opportunities for high school students.

Q & A

What was the main reason Deke Adelie's parents emigrated from Iran?

Deke Adelie's parents emigrated from Iran during the Iran-Iraq war because they couldn't pursue their college education due to the university either being subpar or closed.

Why did Deke Adelie's parents choose to move to America?

They chose America because they believed it would provide an opportunity for their future children to have a quality public education that would prepare them for their careers.

What was Deke Adelie's experience with education in Starkville, Mississippi?

Deke Adelie experienced a lack of distractions and focused mainly on school and soccer. However, they questioned the quality of education and the emphasis on memorization over critical thinking.

How did Deke Adelie's experience with dissecting a frog in 6th grade influence their thoughts on education?

It led Deke to question the meaning of learning, as they were taught to memorize vocabulary and parts of the frog rather than understanding the subject matter deeply.

What is Deke Adelie's view on the potential of students in geographically disadvantaged areas?

Deke Adelie believes that being geographically disadvantaged should not limit a student's potential to be competitive on a national level.

What is the concept of competition that Deke Adelie discusses in relation to education?

Deke Adelie discusses the concept of competition on a national level, comparing the education systems and the emphasis on testing in countries like South Korea and Iran.

Why do students in South Korea and Iran focus heavily on testing?

In South Korea and Iran, doing well on tests is crucial for success and higher education opportunities, which is why students are taught from a young age to excel in test-taking.

What was Deke Adelie's experience with the education system in Iran?

Deke Adelie observed that Iranian high school students' education is catered to a major declared in 9th grade, and their fourth year is dedicated to preparing for a University exam.

What is Deke Adelie's opinion on the current focus on testing in American education?

Deke Adelie believes that the focus on testing in American education is misguided and does not foster the development of well-rounded citizens or future leaders.

How does Deke Adelie feel about the potential of teenagers to make a change in the world?

Deke Adelie feels that teenagers are capable of making significant changes and wants to ensure they have the opportunities and support to do so.

What is the main takeaway from Deke Adelie's TED Talk?

The main takeaway is the importance of believing in the potential of teenagers, providing them with real-world experiences and opportunities, and preparing them to be leaders both now and in the future.