There is a big debate in education today. One big question is are exams the best form of assessment? The answer is not easy. Fifty years ago teachers lectured, gave the students a test, and measured their learning by the students answers on the test. Today there are many more opportunities available. There are opportunities such as apprenticeships and hands on learning that can be evaluated as well. There is also the question of final and midterm exams. Is this a good evaluation of student learning? Are standardized tests, such as the SAT and MEA, valuable tools in gauging student intelligence? Perhaps it is not as valuable as one would think. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/studentlife/debate/2008/36_exams.shtml)

I do believe that to much emphasis is placed on testing today. One new trend in American schools is to require standardized testing in kids as young as Kindergarten. I do think that standardized testing has its place but not in America's youngest children. In England and Wales there testing is being asked to be reviewed. In fact, testing has done quite the opposite of what it was intended to do. Students are becoming so preoccupied with these tests that they are preforming worse than they are capable of! (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/jun/10/sats.schools)

There is a group of educators that believe the best type of learning is done through real world experiences. One such way is through apprenticeships. Many schools have classes that have apprenticeships in them. For example, at Spruce Mountain High in Maine you could take a Plumbing course. In this course you would gain many valuable skills, such as Geometry and Algebra, that will prepare you for the world after high school. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/studentlife/debate/2008/36_exams.shtml)