Standardized testing in K-12 schools needs to be revamped. These tests do not measure the full academic scope of students because they only test some of the material that students learn throughout the school year. Many students learn at different paces and levels and the data driven environment of schools now clearly is not designed for everyone. In Tennessee, the TCAP is the major standardized test. This test can determine many things for students such as passing on to the next grade. This seems to be a broken system that I think does not factor in the many differences in student’s learning abilities, environment and interests. The solutions to this issue can be summed up with one word, variation. There should be different types of tests for different learning situations …show more content…
The results from these tests determine the amount of funding that will be provided for schools each year, as well as teacher and administrator salary increases and job security. The seriousness of these tests being the determining factor for so many things, can and has, put too much pressure on teachers and administrators. Recently a large group of teachers and administrators were found guilty, in an Atlanta court, of altering tests to help increase test scores. In this case the school district was failing, and the superintendent was said to have placed immense pressure and a sense of fear in many who worked for the school district. These unethical practices caused many of the teachers and administrators who stood trial, to be convicted and sentenced to jail time (Blinder). This is just one example of how the pressure to do well on these standardized tests can cause unethical behavior. Many of those teachers in Atlanta stated that they did not change the scores to look good or get money for themselves, but they did it to get money for their students and