Exploratory Paper: Is Standardized Testing Bad? Standardized testing has been around in one form or the other for centuries based on historical data which shows its use way back in imperial China and was used to determine the strengths and talents of individuals so that they could be effectively used in the emperor’s service. In the 19th century Great Britain introduced standardized testing to its’ territories and eventually Europe. The United States introduced standard testing to its citizens in the late 20th century and has rapidly integrated this testing tool into the nation’s public school system.
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.
Reality is often a disappointment. Devastation and desperation from a traumatic experience will cause a person to lose grip on reality, and once it slips through their fingers, they become aroused by delusion. Over-reliance on fantasy occurs when a person is only comfortable within the confines of their deluded reality. Dissociation can stunt psychological growth and development, potentially interfering with mental health and affecting close relationships. Consequently, this alienation makes forming a boundary between reality and fantasy challenging.
⦁ 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.
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
The way we test takes up time that could be used to learn something new. The first piece of evidence that I have, is that the tests cause stress to many people. The text stated, “Tests cause lots of stress and anxiety to people.” Some reasons are that parents believe that teachers have been “teaching to the test” throughout the years.
Unfortunately, despite having concerns over excessive test prep sessions, parents cannot do much to eliminate the root cause of the situation. The implementation of standardized tests has and still continues to negatively affect the overall education
Basically, the people who created these tests are just trying to see if we’re “they’re type of smart”, in other words we’re their test dummies. The people who gave these tests have no “children” whatsoever, therefore they know nothing about children. Educators are experiencing almost relentless pressure to show their effectiveness. In the same way, these tests don’t show all the qualities in a student.
Many colleges around the United States use standardized tests to determine admission. The use of standardized tests is very unfair to many students. Standardized tests are the best option for determining admission to get accepted into college. There is another option available such as high school grade point averages. Colleges should not use standardized test scores as the exclusive determining factor for admission.
Columbia University wrote that, “There are many people who simply do not perform well on tests. Many of these students are smart and understand the content, but it doesn’t show on the test. Many students also develop test anxiety which hinders performance” (Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing 1). To only have one way of accumulating test scores is unjust for the students who do not perform well in
They think exempting children with disabilities and those who are minorities by using alternative tests is unfair to those students since it is creating two unequal systems and one has accountability and while the other doesn’t. While others could argue that Standardized tests are unfair and discriminatory against non-English speakers and student with special needs. So these tests are prohibiting students from being able to realize their full potential. These could lead to some bias since some students greatly benefit from standardized testing because it helps them reach their potential by asking questions they like and are familiar with, while others have difficulties regarding these tests because they have different talents they probably excel in that are not tested during these tests. A research conducted by Val Klenowski looks into different collection and analysis different empirical data in state schools and argues for a greater balance in assessment types.
There is evidence to support that standardized tests are negatively affecting our students, lowering the quality of education, and leaving our students ill prepared for the “real world.” There is also evidence that standardized tests are not a good measurement of intelligence for everyone as discussed by Howard Gardner in his multiple intelligences theory. Evidence suggests that standardized tests should be reevaluated, changed, or completely eliminated. Participants I sent surveys (Appendix A) to 2 former standardized test takers.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that any good American wanting to have a civil conversation with another must avoid the topics of religion, politics, money…and education. Indeed, education, particularly in this day and age, is a large source of contention amongst educators, parents, and experts alike for a myriad of reasons, one being standardized testing. While a majority of educated individuals believe in the importance of standardized testing, others claim that these assessments fail to prepare or benefit students for future jobs. Mandatory standardized testing and its ability to effectively measure critical thinking stands as one specific facet that readily fuels this controversy.
Standardized testing, a common method of gauging a student’s ability since the invention of school itself. Over the years it has served its purpose well, but is it time to make a change? I say yes. Although a decent and simple method, today’s modern world leaves us with many superior options to replace it with. These many alternatives are left unexplored and ultimately unutilized in exchange for a flawed yet experienced system.
The test is an effective way to not only evaluates students’ objective skills in reading, writing and math skills, but also helps students to become more globally competitive (Walberg). Those against the use of standardized testing argue that the test do not truly teaches students, but creates problem solving tricks and artificial ways of thinking. They also argue the test is biased, they point out the correlation between test scores and external factors such as family income, location, and race. On the other hand, supporters say testing is both a genuine tool for knowledge and an objective way to measure academic performance, thus needed to be reinforced more (Walberg). The controversy over standardized testing creates an incentive for every students, parents, and educators to be involved.
