Assessing young children...what is best?

One of the biggest debates in American education today is the use of standardized tests.  Often these tests are used as a means to hold schools and teachers accountable. But do these tests really measure what matters?
I believe that an accurate assessment of a child's ability should look at all of the areas of development and consider more than just a knowledge of academics. When you think about all of the skills needed to be successful inside and outside of the classroom, from getting along with others to having a healthy self esteem, measuring only a child's academic ability seems as though it is not enough.  Also children like adults excel in different areas of development.  One child may excel in physical ability while another in academics.  Looking at Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory, intelligence can be measured in eight areas:  linguistic, logical/mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, spacial, kinesthetic, musical and naturalist.  A person may excel in different areas but could be considered equally successful in their own individual way. 
However, standardized tests are not unique to the United States, they are used around the world.  In fact, China has a long history of standardized tests and is know for it's test the gaokao, or college entrance exam, that is a standardized test at the end of high school that is taken over 2-3 days.  China is also know for rote learning, and standardized testing that places a big psychological strain on students and favors children from big cities and well off families while stifling creativity. 
I can't help but to wonder if this is the future of education in the United States...more standardized tests that do not take into account all areas of development or the value of creativity and individual skills that can not be measured by a standardized test?  While there is a need to measure progress and use the information in planning an education system that helps children excel, the real challenge is finding a way to accurately assess children in a way that is more helpful than harmful. 



Wong, E. (June 30, 2012) Test that Determines the course of life in China gets a closer examination. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/world/asia/burden-of-chinas-college-entrance-test-sets-off-wide-debate.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Greenspan, A. (August 25, 2008) China Vs. America? Learning Strategies in the 21st Century.  The Globalist. Retrieved from: http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?storyid=5264