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Pros And Cons Of Being Standardized

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Are Standardized Tests Truly Standardized?

A standardized test is "any form of test that requires all test takers to answer the same questions ... and that is scored in a 'standard' or consistent manner" (Standardized). These two requirements of a standardized test attempt at assigning a fair grade to each student that is representative of that student's overall knowledge and understanding of one or many subjects. Some of the most known types of standardized testing in the US are the PSAT, the SAT, and the ACT which each have their own purposes such as admission into colleges. In a perfect world, standardized testing would work and would be fair since every student gets the same tests with the same qualifications and answers. However, some …show more content…

He says “For a fair selection everybody has to take the same exam: please climb that tree”. Such a simple sentence highlights one of the biggest flaws in standardized testing; it is not made for everyone nor is it standard. Taking a deeper look at each of the individual animals proves its point even further. First, a bird is depicted who can easily fly to the top of the tree, but in no regards can it “climb that tree”, likely representing a student that can achieve high scores in school or on other tests, but has trouble succeeding on standardized testing. Next is a monkey, who can climb the tree with ease, representing a student that has no problem with taking and succeeding at the test. Next is a penguin, who is technically a bird, yet cannot fly, representing a student who should be able to do well in school yet does not achieve highly on standardized tests. The largest animal is an elephant which by no means can climb the tree, representing a student not able to succeed at standardized testing. The fish may be the most curious one, as highlighted by typepad.com, because “The fish, being the intellectual of the group, already perched himself atop *a* tree” (TYPEPAD). This could represent a student that was set up for success such as financially or mentally, but fails to meet its overall expectations. The seal and the dog have about the same trouble as the elephant. This piece of art captures the problem beautifully since it seems the ‘proctor’ is asking a simple, standardized question about climbing the same tree for fairness, yet the different types of students all are unique and have their own levels of successes and failures, representing the non standardness of the standardized

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All students dread one thing when it comes to school - testing. Standardized test are the main focus in our school systems instead of actually gaining knowledge at the end of the year. As a mother, Michelle Rhee, understands the lack of attention given on education as a whole instead of just waiting on the scores, but she still agrees on continuing with standardized test. Kristina Rizga opposes the opinion of Michelle Rhee as she does not believe standardized test truly measure the intelligence of a student. Kristina Rizga proves her stand against standardized test by utilizing solid use of argumentation.

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He uses logos to give a solid logical ground in his examination of why grading should be abolished, and the system that should be instated to take the place of the grades that oppress. Speaking of the tests that Harvard and other institutes of higher education use for admission purposes, he says “Presumably, these college-entrance tests are tailored for what Harvard and similar institutions want. By the same logic, would not an employer do far better to apply his own job aptitude test rather than to rely on the vagaries of Harvard section-men?” (Par 5). By applying logic, he makes a compelling argument for the abolishment of ‘universal’ testing, to be replaced by job-specific criteria.

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Is Standardized Testing Bad

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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.

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Arguments Against Standardized Testing

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A major factor in a student’s future is his or hers ability to perform well on arbitrary standardized tests. This is the “tree” they must climb in order to achieve future success. Although standardized tests like the SAT have been a way of gauging a student’s ability to learn and retain information for years, they are an inaccurate measurement. Being created over 100 years ago, reconsidering the policy of issuing the SATs is crucial.

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The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Test Scores

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Standardized test scores should not be reflective of how well a student comprehends the subject matter, let alone these scores are inaccurate and unfairly predetermine educational mobility for many disadvantaged students. Phelps (2005) defends standardized test and argues that student test takers have an equal ability and opportunity to learn the subject matter tested. However, students all start off school at different levels, some with previous knowledge and others come into school not even speaking the english language. The quality of education each individual student obtains is in no means comparable therefore, this already creates an uneven foundation for “equal” standardized test taking.

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Arguments Against Standardized Testing

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Their argument consists of three main points: objectivity, comparability, and accountability. Objectivity seems useful because it provides an “accurate unfiltered measure of what the student knows” (Churchill). Comparability is useful in seeing how one’s pupil compares to others of their age group and helps parents decide which school to choose for their child to attend (Churchill). Test results are used to decide which schools deserve federal funding and which require disciplinary action. High stakes testing affects entire communities with the

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What Are The Arguments Against Standardized Testing

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Standardized testing. Many people are highly familiar with those tests, especially the SAT, as they are used in the majority of schools and educational institutes. Standardized testing is often used as a “means to assess students, teachers, and schools,” making it the easiest way for the school board and Government to monitor educational institutes all over (Morris). Standardized tests are tests that are administered and measured in a specific and consistent way for every school that utilizes them. The students who are taking the tests have a set amount of time to finish a number of questions from different subjects, with the questions sometimes being multiple-choice or true or false (Morris).

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Arguments Against Standardized Testing

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Have you ever thought of what our education system would be like without standardized testing? Henry Chuancy and Wilbur Bender invented standardized testing, the SAT specifically, in order to identify the gifted and talented students (Tozer, 2002, p.231). The Early Cold War had just begun and The United States believed the key to winning it was detecting the gifted and talented students and grouping them so they could excel above the rest (Tozer, 2002, p.231). In this paper, I will argue that standardized testing is needed in our education system. As stressful as standardized testing can be, I believe it is a crucial part of today’s education system and allows students to be measured by intelligence.

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Arguments Against Standardized Testing

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Many years ago, tests were given to place students into classes and determine students who needed additional help. Today, tests are used to judge the success or failure of students’ teachers and schools (Kohn, 2000). According to a new study from MIT neuroscientists working with education researchers at Harvard University and Brown University ‘Tests are designed to measure the knowledge and skills that students have acquired in school students who have the highest gains on test scores do not exhibit the ability to analyse abstract problems and think logically ‘. This just shows that the students who excel on such test do not need to be intelligent. Standardized tests tend to measure the temporary acquisition of facts and skills, including the skill of test-taking itself, more than genuine understanding but rather; evaluate how fast a student can answer questions correctly (Kohn, 2000).

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Standardized Testing Persuasive Essay

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Standardized tests have some positive aspects, but they are not exploited to their maximum, and threfore make a lot of people unhappy. However, they cannot be eliminated because such tool is the most accessible, and required in every step of life. If only students like me, and others around the world could come together to think of a way in which we could be more integrally evaluated, there wouldn’t be as many problems. Drastic changes don’t even have to be implemented right away. Instead, small changes year after year can lead to a better future, but in order to do this, we must keep moving.

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The Pros And Cons Of Standardization

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Slaves to Standardization The United States of America is an extraordinarily multi-cultural society and encompasses a wide variety of ethnicities, religions, languages, and ideologies, as well as a host of other cultural aspects. This requires us to embrace our differences and respect and learn from cultures other than our own, which is generally considered a positive development. However, there are several glaring exceptions to this philosophy of celebrating our differences. One such exception is evident in the political realm, where differences and disagreements seem to be equated with evil intent – I have lost count of how many of my acquaintances claimed that those voting for the other candidate (whichever that was) in the last presidential

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Persuasive Essay On Standardized Testing

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The teachers are geared towards teaching just what they must in order that their students perform well in the standardized test. The needs of the students are placed on the back burner. (Squire 1) Even the students who do really well in these standardized tests do not think that these tests are an accurate measure of their intelligence they feel like they are just playing the game put before them. Sometimes the students are given certain drills to perform like rote learning, just to do well in the standardized test, (Herrington & Moran 219) Standardized tests have made the teachers’ vision myopic as all they are geared towards catering for this testing.

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