Levine claims that schools are starting to expand the quality of the student body by the rate of the students standardized test (22). Colleges are not looking to get students who do not apply themselves, but also, colleges are making it harder for the poor students that are trying to better their education. Along the same lines, Graff reminds us of the competition of comparing test scores in school (249). Graff explains, in school scores are made up by one’s reading ability, instead of, like in sports, the actual competition itself or arguing (249). Overall schools are using test scores as a way to compete with education instead of looking out for the best interests of the
Students are then standardized to the
This new assessment tool had two major impacts. First, the expectations for individual students were raised by increasing the difficulty of the material on the assessment—no longer were the tests considered minimal skills tests. Passing each of the reading, writing and mathematics components of the grade 10 test, also known as the exit-level exam, was a requirement for receiving a high school diploma in the state. Second, schools were also held to higher standards with the expectation that not only the campus as whole but the specific subpopulations (African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic, and Economically Disadvantaged) had to achieve minimal standards. Passing rates on these standardized exams, along with attendance and drop-out data were used to assign schools accountability ratings with severe repercussions mandated for schools that were placed at the low end of the accountability scale (Texas Education Agency et al.,
Senate Bill 1543 that became effective August of this year works to protect students who did not complete a typical high school program from being treated unfairly when being considered for admission to a university. A student who submits evidence of completing an education following the same standards, specifically including standards on standardized testing scores, than they must be equally considered as a student who did graduate from a public school. In order to determine this student’s would-be rank in a high school class if it is a factor in determining admission, the institution must decide that student’s rank based on the average graduating students rank with similar testing scores on the standardized test
The tests are graded by a special machine that is not programmed to favor some students and not others. Yes, the tests are being graded non-discriminately but, this causes some concern for whether or not the tests are being graded accurately. Technology has been known to fail some times. The machines are very sensitive and the answers have to be filled in clearly and in a certain way or they will be counted wrong. Some students may know the answer but mark it wrong and their score will go down unfairly.
Dropping testing would “result in higher levels of academic achievement in entering classes at public schools” (Jaschik). A Wake Forest Study showed that “79% of the 2012 incoming class was in the top 10% in high school, before test optional it was in the low 60s%” (Balf). Students who have worked hard in high school should be rewarded for their diligence instead rewarding intelligent students who do not demonstrate the proper effort. When colleges accept students with better grades instead of those with better tests scores, they are more likely to get determined students who will excel in college. At public schools, a 30% increase of minorities and low income applicants was seen when schools become test optional (Jaschik).
As “Education week 's” Ron Wolk’s has said, “The system failed to educate them adequately, and now it punishes them for not being educated. " Ron Wolk is stating that with a school district failing to educate its students, these students have to pay the price by failing the test. High Stakes testing may also affect the district. Low scores could result in the reorganization of schools or a shift of resources to charter schools or private-school vouchers. Who knew that one test could severely damage a community and school
⦁ Students with Disadvantages and Disabilities: The textbook claims that critics believe high stakes testing disadvantages specific groups of students in relation to ethnicity, disibility, income, and language (Enz, Bergeron, & Wolfe 197). High stakes testing also increases the likelihood that at risk students will leave high school without a diploma, which may have an impact on their future economic success (Enz, Bergeron, & Wolfe. 197). These tests also hold all students accountable for the same knowledge, even if they have personal disabilities that may effect their test taking skills. For example, schools with a large amount of at risk students that are learning English will most likely have a harder time taking an all English high stakes test than a Caucasian student who has spent his entire life in America.
Many students are smart and understand the content, but it doesn't show on test scores (Gregory J. Cizek, 2001). In essence, testing brings out stress in even the brightest of students, messing with their heads come test day. The facts show that from the 50 states, 700 school districts claim that standardardized tests are causing greater anxiety than the average everyday assessments (Joseph Spector, 2015). In conclusion, student achievement
The state tried to force this child, Ethan, to take this test. In the meantime while Andrea was fighting the school system, Ethan Rediske passed away. It doesn’t have to be this way. Our children aren’t all dying of terrible diseases, but these standardized testing is killing our brothers and sisters creativity and passion for school instead. Standardized tests do not accurately measure what students know and what they can do, nor are they accurate predictors of future success
There are also much better ways to test a student’s capability to learn; a 2006 Center on Education Policy conducted a study and found that a curriculum that follows state standards and uses the test data as feedback led to higher scores than those that prioritized test-taking skills. When teachers are more focused on teaching material rather than test strategies, their students benefit from it (“Do Standardized Tests Show an Accurate View of Students’ Abilities?”). Several alternative methods to state assessments for measuring a student’s academic success include comparing high school graduation rates and the number of dropouts, offering advanced placement courses, and looking at the percentage of the former students that are admitted to colleges. State assessments are more harmful than helpful to students; they are a large cause of test anxiety and a majority of teachers can never fully prepare their students. Although state assessments are an easy way to be able to see the growth of students, that does not mean that they are the best
The students in my school are not free from oppression because the community they live in tells them that they do not need a high school diploma to be successful and that college is definitely out of reach. In schools, Tatum (2013) expresses that the impact of racism begins at an early age and “we are exposed to misinformation about people different from ourselves” (p. 65). This information is often engrained in student’s heads and some students of color internalize these differences and begin to believe it to be true. It is my belief that this false sense of self is often created not only in society but also in schools and students begin to perform the way they are expected to
They are meant so the someone can tell you if you are good enough to pressure a higher level of education. There is a major chain reaction that gets on to this point. First, one pays to take an eight hour long test, on a Saturday morning, to sit in an uncomfortable chair somewhere in a dark room and rack their brain with
There is overwhelming evidence that shows students retained in a grade at one point or another are more likely to drop out of school. If students are retained for not passing an exam, it sends a message to them that they are a
For example, many of the special needs students there is a stigma that unjustly groups them as useless and unintelligent, but after partnering with special Olympics for 3+ years I can tell you this is not the case. Many of the students are just functional as everyone else, it’s just whether or not people give them a chance to prove themselves before judging them due to their disabilities. One of the special needs students was a girl named Hailey, now Hailey had spina bifida and had a deformed back as a result. Now although Hailey had these issues, she didn’t let it affect her ambition to succeed and as a result she was one of the best players on our team (She helped us win district titles every year
