Standardized Testing

Words: 1263
Pages: 6
Open Document
The use of standardized testing is a heavily discussed topic in the US. Standardized tests are tests that are administered and scored in a consistent or “standard” manner. They have been and are currently being used in the US to provide a cut and dry, black and white, display of a person’s knowledge of basic subjects taught in elementary school through high school. Examples of such tests include state-made final exams, benchmarks, the SAT and ACT. These scores are often a main factor in college applicants’ acceptance rates and eventually rates of employment. This testing system simply does not judge or show how educated a person is in fair way. Standardized tests cannot fairly measure the educational experience, they make other learning obsolete …show more content…
One being that the tests hold all teachers of a course to the same standards. If teachers are given the same curriculum, the same amount of time, and the same resources then the standardized tests reflect whether the teacher did his/her job well. Also, the tests provide a way for colleges and other organizations to compare students’ scores as if they are on the same playing field. Each test collects information from the student individually about race, ethnicity, family income, residence, and where they place among students in their school by GPA. This information helps federal and state organizations develop programs to better equip teachers and students that have specific and demanding …show more content…
The tests may appear to “hold teachers accountable”, but there are teachers of core classes that either do not teach all the curriculum or they teach it in a way that most students cannot understand the objective. Yet they remain employed year after year at the same school and students are forced to have a score reflecting a teacher who is not truly being held accountable. The tests may also appear to “keep students on the same playing field” but it is unfair to obtain information about race, ethnicity, family income and residence. Apparently, the test uses that information to help students of certain home situations, which may sound great, but does not level out the playing field. Standardized testing is not a fair, realistic, or helpful way of determining a person’s potential to do well in college or
Show More

Related Documents: Standardized Testing

Standardized Testing

Research Paper: Advantages of Standardized Testing Many students, parents, and teachers focus on the stress of standardized tests without recognizing some of the benefits. Many people feel strongly about standardized testing. Most people either think that it is the best way to assess students’ abilities or it is a stress-invoking nightmare for everyone involved. “Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT have been shown to be effective in predicting a student's future performance in higher education…

Words 693 - Pages 3

Standardized Testing

identify how standardized testing is handicapping the education of youth. This dissertation provides insight on the topic of standardized testing. Standardized testing is a blanket term for tests taken for the sole purpose of comparing individual students. Therefore, standardized testing has become a very important factor in the American public school system as well as school systems all around the world. This style of testing dates back to the 19th century with the first standardized test being…

Words 991 - Pages 4

Standardized Testing

In an effort to measure the gain of knowledge and skills of students within the public school system, school administrators applied what is now well known as standardized testing. The scores from these test are used in making a variety of important decisions that greatly impact both students and teachers. Which often lead to an increased amount of pressure being placed on teachers to ensure that their students are prepared for the test, this pressure is often unintentionally placed onto students…

Words 1055 - Pages 5

Standardized Testing In Schools

The term standardized testing is used quite often in today’s society. But, what makes a standardized test a standardized test? There are a few characteristics that a test must have to be considered a standardized test. Some of the things, according to the book “Standardized Testing in Schools” by Holly Dolezalek include, that everyone who takes the test must receive the same set of questions, the test takers must take the test in the same conditions, they get the same instructions and have the same…

Words 1380 - Pages 6

Standardized Testing Dbq

to improving public schools” (Source 2). The use of standardize testing has given school boards across the globe extremely useful information regarding the academic stand point of students, how certain educators are benefiting students’ academic success, and components that can be improved at public schools. Even though all of these findings are beneficial to the academic and overall success of the students, too much standardize testing can be very harmful, wasteful, and useless. After analyzing all…

Words 1077 - Pages 5

Cons Of Standardized Testing

The Standardized Testing Epidemic in America Today Standardized tests have commandeered the national education system in the United States. In the past 15 years, standardized tests have increased tenfold, and dictate which teachers keep their jobs, which colleges students can attend, and how much money schools and their districts are allocated. Standardized tests have cemented themselves as the one-size-fits-all evaluation and reflection of the quality of students, teachers, schools, and districts…

Words 2099 - Pages 9

Standardized Testing Essay

Destiney Garrett ENG 1213 Bell 28 February 2014 Testing Standardized tests are designed to enable us to compare the performance of students in a relatively efficient way. This is a controversial issue around the United States because some feel that the test do not show the students’ performance. Is standardized testing the best way to test? Some may argue against and feel “that standardized tests allow administrators, teachers, and parents the opportunity to view solid evidence of the students’…

Words 756 - Pages 4

The Benefits Of Standardized Testing

is the use of standardized testing to measure a student's understanding. Standardized testing dates all the way back to the 1800s. Many schools still use standardized testing today to measure the knowledge and understanding of their students, or so they think. Standardized tests are unreliable in measuring performance and should not be used to measure a student's knowledge due to diversity, the hindrance of creativity in the classroom, stress, and discrimination. Standardized testing is unreliable…

Words 657 - Pages 3

Example Of Standardized Testing

Standardized Tests “About 16--20% of students have high test anxiety, making this the most prevalent scholastic impairment in our schools today. Another 18% are troubled by moderately-high test anxiety.” states the American Test Anxiety Association.That number is incredibly high. As a student goes up to pick up their pencil, a wave of nerves fly onto them and test anxiety kicks in. Test scores can make you lose confidence and are not a suitable showcase of a student’s intelligence . But, what do…

Words 611 - Pages 3

Cons Of Standardized Testing

Personally, I am not a fan of standardized testing. I do not see advantages, only limitations. Standardized tests are designed to compare students, teachers, and systems for the purpose of evaluating and enhancing curriculum. Standardized testing requires all students at the same grade level to answer common questions, in the same way regardless of abilities or differences in learning styles. The tests are scored in a “standard” manner. By using these consistent scoring methods, results are then…

Words 270 - Pages 2