Even Google has given up using standardized testing as a means for evaluating who will be most successful and who will make the best hire. American public schools, however, remain among the most standardized test-heavy education systems in the world. Why are we still “bubbling in,” as Darling-Hammond puts it, when top-performing countries such as Singapore long ago realized there are better and more accurate ways to evaluate both students and their teachers?

Linda Darling-Hammond is the Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education at Stanford University. She has conducted research on policy issues affecting teaching and schooling, and has advised government policymakers and practitioners. Darling-Hammond is the former president of the American Educational Research Association, and former leader of President Barack Obama's education policy transition team. She was named one of the nation's 10 most influential people affecting educational policy over the past decade, and has written over 400 publications. Darling-Hammond began her career as a public school teacher and has co-founded a preschool and day care center as well as a public high school. She received her BA (magna cum laude) from Yale University, and an EdD in urban education (with highest distinction) from Temple University, as well as honorary degrees from 14 universities.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx