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Informative Essay: The Role Of Standardized Testing In Education

1263 Words6 Pages

Title Many people have experienced that awful feeling of anxiety of taking a test and cringe when they even hear the word test. Students spend many hours taking tests and many of those are standardized tests. A recent study found by The Washington Post stated, “A typical student takes 112 mandated standardized tests between pre-kindergarten classes and 12th grade.” (Layton). We live in a world where a lot of emphasis is put on standardized testing. Standardized tests are used to determine if a person is able to receive a driver’s permit, meet graduation requirements, enter college or some career programs to name a few. These tests can even be used to determine which students receive scholarships. To say the least, there is a lot of pressure …show more content…

In Oklahoma, four of seven standardized tests called End of Instruction tests must be passed before receiving a high school diploma. This becomes “high stakes testing”. While there is current legislation to change the Achieving Classroom Excellence Act, state legislatures want a way to ensure that students are being prepared to enter the work force or meet college entrance requirements. The format of these tests require high school students to answer the same questions in a controlled setting and select multiple choice answers. “Such tests reward quick answers to superficial questions.” (FairTest). Standardized tests do not allow students to think creatively and encourages teachers to teach to a constricted curriculum instead of more depth of knowledge. Most students are able to achieve a proficient score to meet requirements, but for some it has become a hurdle that has kept them from achieving their diploma. Some at risk students feel overwhelmed and defeated and choose to drop out of high school without receiving a diploma. Trying to be meet a “standardized” test score now limits these students in achieving their full academic potential and may limit their career

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