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Standardized Testing Essay

1078 Words5 Pages

Standardized testing is an issue that affects students early on in their lives and can affect not only their future but the future. Here we discuss why standardized testing can prove to be a negative impact on a child’s learning experience and stunt their development.

To fully understand the concept of standardized testing – its effects, its purpose, and benefits – we must first define it. Standardized testing refers to a compilation of a series of generated questions administered to all students wherein they are to answer in formulaically and then checked by their teachers in an ‘equal’ and consistent manner in order to grasp the depth of learning a student has achieved.

Standardized testing is so focused on the equality aspect of education …show more content…

Standardized tests prove to be ineffective in properly gauging what students actually know and more or less categorize students instead. Students may harbor knowledge but lack the help required to show the depth of their understanding during an assessment and therefore result in being marginalized.

Furthermore, on a standardized test, there can only be a singular correct answer. However, this type of mindset could be better when it comes to actual life problems and tribulations. The world is not black and white, there is no such thing as just right and wrong and there are more ways to overcome difficulties than through something so generalized. Why do we continue to shape the people of the future through lacking methods and restraining their self-expression? By doing this we not only create narrow-minded adults but suppresses their creativity and our hopes for a more innovative …show more content…

To note, educators have noticed significant changes in student behavior and classroom dynamics during these types of assessments. The change in behavior refers to the increased anxiety brought on by testing, further worsening the problem by the weight placed on grades and the impending fear of failure.

Standardized tests create students who harbor test anxiety due to the severely limited chances (if any) of getting the answers right. Learning happens in different stages, wherein feedback can be provided and build skills during assessments. Standards and rubrics included in standardized tests don’t always call for collaboration and this can be detrimental due to the fact that humans are recognized as social animals and it is critical that we harbor social skills.

Through fostered collaboration, we learn and grow together wherein we are able to make tough decisions by seeing the situation/problem through a wider lens by seeing circumstances for what they are – different. The children of today are the people of tomorrow. The future we aim for is the life they will lead, and it’s more than just numbers and statistics. It’s more than what they memorize – it’s their innate uniqueness that creates a future fit for all of

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