Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing

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Standardized testing evaluates students' performance by measuring their knowledge and skills against a set of standardized criteria. The tests are usually administered in an objective and unbiased controlled environment. Standardized testing has been increasing in recent years, with many countries using these tests to measure students' performance at various levels of education.
Standardized testing has been a controversial topic in education for decades. While some believe standardized tests are necessary to evaluate children's competency, others argue that they do more harm than good. This paper will explore the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing in evaluating children's competency.

Proponents of standardized …show more content…

According to Wurman, the results of standardized tests can be used to hold teachers and schools accountable for their student's performance and to ensure that they are meeting the standards set by the education system.

However, opponents of standardized testing argue that these tests do more harm than good. They believe that standardized tests emphasize rote learning and test-taking skills too much and fail to capture the full range of a student's abilities. Critics also argue that standardized tests are biased against minority groups of students, such as those with learning disabilities or those who speak English as a second language. One of the main concerns regarding using standardized tests in evaluating children's competency is their ability to measure students' skills and knowledge accurately. Eddy et al. contend that more trustworthiness is required in the validity and dependability of observational evaluation methods available to test basic movement abilities in kids at school. The study's authors found that many of the observational assessment tools used to measure fundamental movement skills needed better psychometric …show more content…

Additionally, Wurman notes that a heavy emphasis on standardized testing can lead to a narrow focus on certain subjects and skills, potentially neglecting other important aspects of a child's education.
Despite the criticism, standardized testing continues to be used in several countries.
Parental support for standardized testing remains strong, with many parents believing that these tests are necessary for evaluating their kids' performance and ensuring that they get better education (Paige). While standardized testing can offer valuable data about a student's academic progress, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks of relying solely on test scores to evaluate student achievement (Tunnell). In particular, standardized testing may not accurately reflect a student's true level of competency or potential for future success, particularly for students with learning disabilities or other challenges.

In conclusion, standardized testing has become an integral part of the American education system but remains controversial. While supporters of standardized testing contend that it offers an objective assessment of student learning and growth in the education