Some factors that can influence how a test is taken is by who the test is reaching out to. The test should not only be developmentally appropriate, but it should be designed for different ethics and races. The book mentions how they take the “norm” score of the testers and compare future test takers to that score, but how we know that the norm fits everyone? Another factor is that the tests punish economically disadvantaged children and children who do not speak English as their first language. Children can be stressed when taking the test, causing them to overthink the situation. Another way it can influence a child’s performance is by being over prepped. These standardized tests serve a purpose to improve performance, not just monitor it.
Discussion Post- Chapter 7- High stakes testing Claim: High stakes testing is an extremely problematic political issue within the education system because it holds all students to the same standards regardless of disabilities or disadvantages , it encourages educators to teach strictly on information that relates to the tests, and it can have major consequences for schools across the country that are unable to make Adequete Yearly Progress (AYP). Evidence: The Learning to Teach Edition Nine textbook outlines key disadvantages to high stakes testing. Although the textbook does consider some of the advantages, which include a focus of attention on the achievement of students and providing information on areas where students may need to improve,
Exploratory Paper: Is Standardized Testing Bad? Standardized testing has been around in one form or the other for centuries based on historical data which shows its use way back in imperial China and was used to determine the strengths and talents of individuals so that they could be effectively used in the emperor’s service. In the 19th century Great Britain introduced standardized testing to its’ territories and eventually Europe. The United States introduced standard testing to its citizens in the late 20th century and has rapidly integrated this testing tool into the nation’s public school system.
The tests are graded by a special machine that is not programmed to favor some students and not others. Yes, the tests are being graded non-discriminately but, this causes some concern for whether or not the tests are being graded accurately. Technology has been known to fail some times. The machines are very sensitive and the answers have to be filled in clearly and in a certain way or they will be counted wrong. Some students may know the answer but mark it wrong and their score will go down unfairly.
Many colleges around the United States use standardized tests to determine admission. The use of standardized tests is very unfair to many students. Standardized tests are the best option for determining admission to get accepted into college. There is another option available such as high school grade point averages. Colleges should not use standardized test scores as the exclusive determining factor for admission.
Columbia University wrote that, “There are many people who simply do not perform well on tests. Many of these students are smart and understand the content, but it doesn’t show on the test. Many students also develop test anxiety which hinders performance” (Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing 1). To only have one way of accumulating test scores is unjust for the students who do not perform well in
Standardized testing has become one of the most popular types of testing in U.S. public schools to date. Students take numerous standardized tests throughout their childhood schooling. (Studies show that a typical student takes an average of 112 mandated standardized tests between Pre-K and 12th grade.) While standardized testing is one of the main procedures that Universities use to judge incoming students, it is not proven to be the most effective way to convey a student’s actual intelligence level. The U.S. should not focus so heavily on standardized testing because it is not a complete accurate measurement of a student’s intelligence.
Educational companies that produce these tests are ordinarily doing it for profit, the same tests are produced and used for the same things, evaluation of effectiveness of teachings on students, performance of teachers, classes, how well schools are doing overall, rather than individual tests and observation methods for different categories. These companies are more in the business for the financial aspect and acquisition they would earn from this, rather than enriching the minds of the new generation. The standardized tests do not provide any ways for students to improve and develop off of their test results. They are not being taught how to think, how to be inventive and imaginative, instead about memorization of content. (Armstrong, 1)
The state tried to force this child, Ethan, to take this test. In the meantime while Andrea was fighting the school system, Ethan Rediske passed away. It doesn’t have to be this way. Our children aren’t all dying of terrible diseases, but these standardized testing is killing our brothers and sisters creativity and passion for school instead. Standardized tests do not accurately measure what students know and what they can do, nor are they accurate predictors of future success
The way we test takes up time that could be used to learn something new. The first piece of evidence that I have, is that the tests cause stress to many people. The text stated, “Tests cause lots of stress and anxiety to people.” Some reasons are that parents believe that teachers have been “teaching to the test” throughout the years.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that any good American wanting to have a civil conversation with another must avoid the topics of religion, politics, money…and education. Indeed, education, particularly in this day and age, is a large source of contention amongst educators, parents, and experts alike for a myriad of reasons, one being standardized testing. While a majority of educated individuals believe in the importance of standardized testing, others claim that these assessments fail to prepare or benefit students for future jobs. Mandatory standardized testing and its ability to effectively measure critical thinking stands as one specific facet that readily fuels this controversy.
There is evidence to support that standardized tests are negatively affecting our students, lowering the quality of education, and leaving our students ill prepared for the “real world.” There is also evidence that standardized tests are not a good measurement of intelligence for everyone as discussed by Howard Gardner in his multiple intelligences theory. Evidence suggests that standardized tests should be reevaluated, changed, or completely eliminated. Participants I sent surveys (Appendix A) to 2 former standardized test takers.
This article talks about some of the side effects that tests have in students, like for example: headaches, sleeping late, etc. An example from this article is “ Critics say the new tests put too much pressure on kids, waste instructional time and encourage educators to emphasize rote memorization”. Tests puts pressure to the kids because they want to get a good grade and they think that if they don’t get a good grade, they will disappoint their
Sometimes tests only show a small portion of what is being teached and don’t truly test kids on their understanding but what they can pick from a little multiple choice bubble. “Tests were used in ancient China, Greece, and Rome to determine fitness for public and government service. Many early testing systems attempted to evaluate reading and writing abilities as well as qualitative characteristics such as creativity. Attempts to codify testing procedures eventually made it
Standardized testing, a common method of gauging a student’s ability since the invention of school itself. Over the years it has served its purpose well, but is it time to make a change? I say yes. Although a decent and simple method, today’s modern world leaves us with many superior options to replace it with. These many alternatives are left unexplored and ultimately unutilized in exchange for a flawed yet experienced system.
The test is an effective way to not only evaluates students’ objective skills in reading, writing and math skills, but also helps students to become more globally competitive (Walberg). Those against the use of standardized testing argue that the test do not truly teaches students, but creates problem solving tricks and artificial ways of thinking. They also argue the test is biased, they point out the correlation between test scores and external factors such as family income, location, and race. On the other hand, supporters say testing is both a genuine tool for knowledge and an objective way to measure academic performance, thus needed to be reinforced more (Walberg). The controversy over standardized testing creates an incentive for every students, parents, and educators to be involved.