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Standardized Testing Informative/Explanatory Essay

795 Words4 Pages

Tajae Hinds 12.18.14
Government Per. 1
Research a topic that is widely debated in the United States. Write an informative/explanatory essay that explains the debate topic and the argument amongst Americans.

Should the United States schools put so much emphasis on Standardized Tests?
In a growing number of states, scores on standardized tests weigh heavily in determining whether a 10 year old advances to the next grade with their classmates or whether a teen can get his high school diploma. Tests scores also determine which teachers keep their jobs, how much those teachers are paid and even which public schools are shut down or turned over to private management. Students complain about the test prep and the constant reviewing. But do we really need to put all this emphasis on standardized tests and scores? Schools are under tremendous pressure to raise scores. Testing, it seems, has become more of a focus than teaching. The goal of setting high standards for all is a noble one, but not as necessary as we think. …show more content…

Are we measuring intelligence and practical ability, or are we simply measuring test taking ability? Standardized tests are an unreliable measure of student performance and measure only a small portion of what makes education meaningful. According to late education researcher Gerald W. Bracey, PhD, qualities that standardized tests cannot measure include creativity, resilience, motivation, persistence, endurance, reliability, enthusiasm, empathy, self-awareness, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, honesty, and integrity. These qualities are not deliberated by a No.2 Ticonderoga pencil, paper and a test

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Modern Day Standardized Testing Persuasive Essay

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In addition, Testing puts teaching to the test. When standardized exams become all important in a school or district, it has a massive impact on teaching and learning. Educators frequently start “teaching to the test” if they feel that their jobs only depend on how well students perform. Educators may also stop trying new techniques and teaching methods in the classroom. With every minute counting on the way to their students’ next exam, teachers will worry that a method that is not tested will backfire and their students will score worse than before.

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Arguments Against Standardized Testing

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1631 Words | 7 Pages

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1384 Words | 6 Pages

Standardized testing is a fundamental part of the American education system and that has been the case for many years. During those years, such testing has provided the education system with some benefits. However, for the most part, this testing has had a detrimental effect on the quality of schools, how teachers teach, the education of students, and the American education system itself. As such, this kind of testing has proved to be more harmful than it is beneficial. As a result, standardized testing should be removed from the American education system because it influences schools to inefficiently use classroom instruction time, encourages inefficient teaching methods, produces inaccurate scores, and restricts the creativity of students, a quality that they need.

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1472 Words | 6 Pages

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