Any Quote by Dan Gelber
“Getting straight A's for having lots of tests is not the same as getting A's on the tests. Weighing a malnourished dog every day doesn't make him any better.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast on Education, 2021
Repeated testing without understanding doesn’t improve competence; true progress requires quality feedback and care.
In simple terms: More tests don’t equal better results.
Key Takeaway
Focus on meaningful assessment and support.
Themes
assessment
growth
care
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- school exams
- skill training
- health monitoring
Key Concepts
feedback loops
learning theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What assessment methods truly reflect mastery?
- How can we care for learners beyond scores?
A Different Perspective
Tests can become perfunctory if not tied to learning goals.
