Arguments Against Standardized Testing

Everyone has had to endure the pain at some point in his or her life. The awful, long hours of preparation for one thing: standardized testing. These tests in many states are beginning to get harder in order to align with the new common core standards, and are not only being used to grade students, but teachers as well. Because of the increase in the level of difficulty of the tests, students are beginning to have anxiety. Teachers and parents are not getting a little taste of it as well as they become such a prominent part of the evaluation of students success. People aren’t realizing that standardized testing is not a reliable way of measuring the success and performance of students. Many people think that because it is a computerized

Instead, they were created for students that would not have had the opportunity to attend college had they not had these tests being sent to schools in the northeast. Now, these tests have begun to be used by many schools to determine their “bright” students among the crowd. However, some schools have adopted the idea that standardized test scores are not necessary. They realize that tests don’t measure a student’s growth and achievement. Some schools that have become test optional have done so because they believe this will attract a more diverse applicant pool. Many students in high school begin taking practice tests during freshman year, as well as taking actual tests. Standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT limit access to college for minorities, and colleges are beginning to consider two alternative admissions policies that do not involve these tests: class rank admissions systems and admissions lotteries. Although colleges still will have to deny thousands of students yearly, the review of applications would hopefully be based on a more holistic process versus one test having the highest

Americans for Educational Testing Reform has criticized the organizations for collecting millions in profits while maintaining the non-profit status and avoiding federal taxes. The people that are creating these tests are not even educators. Thinking quite simply, the people who work most closely with kids would hypothetically be the most likely to understand the limits of standardized tests. Support for testing seems to grow as you move away from the students, going from teacher to principal to school board member to state board member, state legislator, and governor. Those for whom classroom visit are essentially non-existent are most likely to be big fans of testing. Executive salaries have come into play in the last few years. The former president of College Board took in earnings of over one million dollars in 2009, and the former CEO of the ACT took in over one million dollars as well. These positions are taking in millions of dollars from students that are struggling to apply tests and college. These companies are also requiring teachers to takes tests in order to get their licenses in particular states. Also, certain companies like Pearson, who creates texts for elementary aged kids, also creates and sells books that ensure you will have the best test preparation if those books are