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. Several laws including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and most recently the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 have made it
…show more content…
They argue that the fact that the results of this test can be seen by all parties involved in the education system allows for accountability on the parts of all involved if test results are not where they should be. They argue that this helps educators by ensuring that all, fourth graders for instance, are being taught the same material and are being tested with the same standardized test across the country. This is seen as being extremely beneficial in that it allows for specific districts and school to make the required adjustments in any area that they fall short off versus the national results. It is also seen by these proponents as helping teachers minimize time wasted trying to put together their curriculum by giving them guidance on what to teach allowing them to focus on educating the children under their …show more content…
Proponents see standardized testing as a way of making testing more efficient and effective by minimizing cost and increasing people’s accountability for their performance in the system. Opponents on the other hand argue that the systems has limitations based on its very nature on what can be tested and as a result of these standards needing to be met sacrifice some very important aspects of students education experience as well as force onto students and teachers a one size fits all model that has failed to deliver on its promises. After having reviewed all the evidence in detail it becomes clear to me that standardized testing is not an effective system for educating students and does more bad than good
: In my opinion, standardized testing is beneficial but also flawed. I agree they’re non-discriminatory because the content is equivalent for all students, but teachers are “teaching to the test,” leaving out additional learning opportunities. From experience, I believe the tests are
Standardized testing really took off after the no child left behind act of 2001. Since then the number of standardized tests has only gone up. Now even 2nd graders have to take standardized tests. More tests is the answer our government has for the problems with our education. Tests are not the solution, they are part of the problem.
Standardized tests have been historically used to measure how students compare with each other and how much of a particular curriculum they have learned. Increasingly, standardized tests are being used to make major decisions about students, such as grade promotion or high school graduation, and schools(Galegroup). Standardized testing is not an effective measurement of how capable and knowledgeable a student is due to it negatively impacting schools, its serious limitations, and its harm on student’s learning. The greater emphasis that has been placed on standardized testing in public schools has created a significant negative impact on the education system.
Standardized tests are one of the most popular ways schools attempt to evaluate academic intelligence of students, school districts, and teachers. These tests are used more specifically to evaluate student performance in the education system by testing their abilities in mathematics, english and sciences. By giving every student the same test, they are setting a standard idea for how well every student should score on the test, such as the SAT or the ACT, no matter the school or educational process they are receiving. Allowing every student to take the exact same test, gives the state a way to generalize student’s academic intelligence without having to do much work to make the testing one hundred percent fair. Standardized testing in schools should no longer be required because it discriminates against the less wealthy families, does not effectively measure achievement and becomes a distraction to the student’s learning environment.
Standardized Testing is not a good choice for a test because it does not show how a student really works or understands what is being taught. The purpose of school was once to just learn, now it is focused on just passing a test. In schools everything is focused on passing a test that can make or break a student. Standardized tests takes away from teaching, does not show true abilities, and makes a higher climate for cheating. Standardized Testing takes away from class time.
Standardized Testing: Is it Good or Bad? How would you feel sitting in a room for an eternity filling in millions of tiny bubbles? This is what students feel from third though twelfth grade thanks to Standardized Testing. Standardized tests are bad because they do not demonstrate a student’s level of intelligence or true knowledge base but instead demonstrate their ability to take a test.
Standardized tests have been around for over a century and with its perceived effectiveness, this will continue. A student’s intelligence should not be tested through a series of standardized tests; as there are many alternatives and with the current track the education system is on, may leave a negative impact on more than just the students. Students face many obstacles as they grow in a constantly changing society. The nation’s youth is boggled with mental illnesses and disorders that often go undetectable. The addition of standardized tests adds to psychological torment.
Standardized testing cost states over one billion dollars a year or a quarter of one percent of the total of K-12 spending in the United States. (Ujifusa) Standardized testing is supposed to sort large number of students in an efficient manner. The main idea of standardized testing procedures is to provide colleges and universities, secondary, and even primary schools with a better understanding and clarification in evaluating perspectives of students who graduated with academic standards from an abundance of diverse schools. Among these testing procedures that measure students skills, learning disabilities and their knowledge of abilities were first introduced in the United States during the 20th century. While Standardized testing have
Some ways that standardized tests are useful in schools are that they help parents keep track of how their children are doing. Most parents don 't know what it 's like to take these tests that their children are now, because it was implemented until early 2000’s so most parent have taken only the ACT and that 's it. The parents also can see how their children are doing, but they don 't know how it corresponds to what they are suppose to be learning in class. Another reason it is beneficial is that it allows students progress to be tracked over the years. If the student has high test anxiety, how will they expect to do any better on the next test?
Introduction Standardized tests may be used for a wide variety of educational purposes. For example, they may be used to determine a young child’s readiness for kindergarten, identify students who need special-education services or specialized academic support, place students in different academic programs or course levels, or award diplomas and other educational certificates. Thesis Statement Standardized tests should not be eliminated completely, but should rather be evaluated in addition to other factors such as grades, extracurricular activities, and volunteer hours. This would take pressure off of students during standardized tests, allow colleges to see how well-rounded the students are, and give students who are better in other areas
A friend’s party, recess, and qualifying for the sports team are a few of the common factors that revolve around a child’s life. Unfortunately, the list doesn’t include education. Administering standardized tests will aid in amending the remissness in our future generation of career professionals. Due to the fact that standardized testing provides an opportunity of change from a world of fantasy into a reasonable one, this method should be enforced throughout the nation.
Standardized Tests are ineffective because they don’t measure what is important. Other people may think that we don’t take enough tests. The text stated, “We need a lot of tests to figure out how smart people are getting.” This all may be true, but, parents are complaining that the teachers are “teaching to the test”. Other people may think that we don’t take enough tests while some parents are complaining about all of the testings.
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.
The standardized tests should not be eradicated from the school system, it should be a requirement in all schools, especially elementary schools. The younger they start the better they will do in the future. According to the article, titled “Testing…Testing…One, Two, Three”, it tells that “better performance-based tests will put a stop to the “dumbing-down” phenomenon” (Gluckman). This reference means that standardized testing benefits student learning by being able to identify their strengths and weaknesses; and focus on working on those weaknesses. Not only are these standardized tests unbiased, but they are also a way to monitor and promote both student and teacher achievement.
Standardized tests contradict the belief that all students are different but are given tests that treat them as if they are all the same. They are also wrongly used to determine the capabilities of a teacher or school to teach their students. Standardized tests should not be used to determine the education level or the abilities of a student in a way that can determine or affect their future. These tests should be done away with and a more effective method should be put in