Does a Test Tell it all?

As I stated when I started this Blog, It will be my opinion mostly but sometimes, many times, my opinion is shared by others. And sometimes I will read something that inspires my Blog. Today is just one of those times. There appeared a Great Letter from former Schenectady Teacher , Richard Terry, in today's Schenectady Gazette, on State Testing being used in a teacher's evaluation. He points out what should be obvious flaws. I'd like to make a point myself. I observed the following in a Kindergarten classroom. There was a discussion regarding what a Leap Year was. There were a few 5 year olds who were able to relate the sun & solar system, some that knew that the earth revolved around the sun, while some didn't know what the earth and sun were. Obviously some came from a home environment where much time was taken reading, being read to, & discussions were had while some had little or none of this, with little constructive attention paid. Circumstances are different in homes which allow for some things to occur or not to occur. Twelve years later most of these children will graduate after spending those twelve years in their home circumstance. The point is : These children will have similar educational programs given by their schools. But can that make up for the vast differences in their home circumstances? How can we expect all students to fit the "same" mold when tested? Given the same Recipe but different Ingredients....will the cake be the same? Something to think about.