Standardized Testing Supplying the upcoming generations with knowledge is considered one of the most important functions of society. It serves as a comfort for all, knowing that the future of the country will be handled by people who have largely been educated. However, because of the push for a method to measure the level and overall improvement of a student’s education, standardized tests were born. These exams are intended to gauge the skills mastered by all students, but have proved otherwise. Standardized testing hinders school systems by creating a test score centered classroom, limiting teachers to a narrow curriculum, and keeping schools from producing students that have a love for learning. The Glossary of Education Reform classifies …show more content…
The Washington Post covered a report released by the American Federation of Teachers. The AFA studied two medium-sized school districts (who remained unnamed) for nineteen school days, and compiled their studies in July of 2013. According to the report, “Students can spend 60 to more than 110 hours per year in test prep in high-stakes testing grades (Strauss).” The report also states, “If testing were abandoned, one school district in this study could add from 20 to 40 minutes of instruction to each school day for most grades. The other school district would be able to add almost an entire class period to the school day for grades 6-11. Additionally, in most grades, more than $100 per test-taker could be reallocated to purchase instructional programs, technology or to buy better tests (Strauss).” The AFA’s study was just the beginning. Parents and teachers all over the country have been up in arms over this new type of learning environment. Gone are the days of the classic classroom, where teachers plan lessons that engage all types of learners. Students are forcefully molded to fit a system where test scores are the main