Arguments Against Standardized Testing

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Standardized tests are graded by people with the minimal education as a bachelor’s degree; they go through basic education training to grade the standardized tests. “Standardized tests are exams created by testing companies. These tests are used to evaluate what students in different states and school districts have learned” (Plackal). The scorers for the standardized test could be biased when grading. A standardized test that is graded by a machine is less bias than a person with minimal knowledge grading the tests. The multiple choice format for standardized testing has its pros and cons. Since a machine will grade the standardized tests it is unbiased. However, multiple choice questions are an inadequate assessment tool because the students taking the tests can just guess or scribble down an answer (“Is The Use of …show more content…

Standardized testing is taking away valuable learning time from students that is being replaced with test preparation (Palackal). Palackal does not think that standardized tests should have the ability to shut down a school building because teachers are then encouraged to cheat. The amount of playtime for kindergarteners had decreased and is being replaced with standardized test prep. “These are children no more than the age of 6 preparing for an assessment they will start taking three years later in the third grade!” (Plackal). Kindergarteners should not have to be worried about standardized tests so early in their life. “Forty-four percent of schools in the United States are spending more time on reading and math and less time on other subjects” (Palackal). Young students should focus on things that will captivate their attention and things that are fun to learn. Standardized testing not only takes away from valuable learning time but it also may cause harmful side