Standardized Testing Argumentative Essay

Words: 765
Pages: 4

Schools across Texas are required to take standardized tests at the end of each year. These state-mandated tests can very well determine whether a student moves on to the next grade level. Teachers and students often feel stressed by cramming for a test that is given at the end of a course instead of actually recalling the information learned and passing the grade on their own knowledge. Standardized testing should not be the deciding factor of whether a student advances in school.
The earliest history of standardized testing comes from China, where people wanting government jobs had to fill out examinations testing their knowledge. Psychologist Alfred Binet developed a standardized test of intelligence, also known as an IQ Test. According
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If a student fails a standardized test because they couldn’t remember the information learned, they fail the grade. Julia, writer of “Producing Commodities or Educating Children? Nurturing the Personal Growth of Students in the Face of Standardized Testing” questions, “What good is it if our students are academically successful, yet lack what is necessary to cope with more difficult life issues…” (Barrier-Ferreira). Citizens wonder, why work hard for grades all year if students can fail the level with one test? State testing has ruined the image of what learning and being successful is supposed to be. Author of “...A Failing Attempt at Reform”, Sarah Holmes says, “Any school failing to meet the AYP must immediately take corrective action to avoid sanctions” (Holmes). So when students fail the grade because they can’t reach the standards of the test, not only does the child suffer but the school suffers as well. Students across the globe work hard all year to be successful, but the pressure of one test failing them, brings them stress and ruins not only their goals of graduating on time, but also brings down their self - esteem. This idea of a standardized test defeats the purpose of attending school one hundred and eighty days a year for 12