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The Urban Review

, Volume 36, Issue 3, pp 211–226 | Cite as

Assistencialism and the Politics of High-Stakes Testing

  • Luis UrrietaJr.
Article

Abstract

In this article I argue that the current high-stakes testing accountability model is an assistencialist model, derived from deficit thinking paradigms. Such models, like the No Child Left Behind Act, sanction low performance with serious consequences for students and educators. Drawing from Freire, I propose an anti-assistencialist accountability model based on local community culture and needs that would include critical, problem-posing education, dialogue as a means toward raising social consciousness, and appropriate assessments according to local community needs. I further argue that such an accountability model can be implemented through cultural immersion programs that include three levels of immersion, (1) classroom culture, (2) local community culture, and (3) trans/cultural, or transnational exposure.

assistencialism anti-assistencialism high-stakes testing accountability conscientization cultural relevance 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2004

Authors and Affiliations

  • Luis UrrietaJr.
    • 1
  1. 1.School of EducationUniversity of ColoradoBoulder

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