Informative Essay On Standardized Testing

Words: 1145
Pages: 5

All around the United States, standardized test is being used to test students reading and writing progress. The students’ knowledge and the quality of the teacher is determined by the test results. The standardized test is a state-wide test that is to be completed at the end of each school year. In each state the test has a different name. For example, in Virginia, the test is called Standards of Learning (SOL), as for Texas, their test is called Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). As each state has a different name for the standardized test it is testing for the same skills of the students. The schools are ranked by the percentage of the passing rate and that is how they receive their accreditation. A common problem of the standardized test is the teachers teaching to the test, which eliminates students’ reading and writing abilities. Test should test students’ comprehension and as well as their creativity. The writing test should not have a specific set rules that could …show more content…
Teacher’s class percentage pass rate dictates whether they are a good teacher or not. That pushes teachers to do what they need to do to make sure their students pass. Some teachers go out to the extent of helping the students during the test, which is extremely unapproved. Richardson, Wheeless, & Cunningham (2008), all focusing on teaching methods and teacher education, says, “Teacher cheating on standardized tests is a grave problem for public schools. Nichols and Berliner…documented allegations and actual instances of cheating on standardized tests in 30 states implicating administrators, principals, and teachers.” (p. 202) The scores matter so much that puts the pressure on the instructors to help their students during the test. That teaches students a very negative skill that will not be beneficial to their futures. If the test weren’t strict and narrow, teachers wouldn’t have to help their students