Standardized Testing Persuasive Essay

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Stress caused by testing also impairs the immune system and speeds up aging (Solley 5). Asides from the health risks inflicted by high testing pressure, students are prone to give up on learning due to fear of failure in tests. In 2005, a study conducted by Nichols, Glass and Berliner showed an inverse relationship between testing pressure of 8th or 9th graders and the likelihood of them graduating (Solley 6). Although standardized testing pushes students, it does not bring students methods of true learning. Studies find that in elementary schools, high CTBS and MAT scores correlate with superficial learning including copying down answers, skipping unmastered topics and guessing the right choices without thinking actively or asking questions. …show more content…

Knowing what will be on the tests, the teachers save a significant amount of their time from choosing what concepts to teach (Walberg 3). Without referencing test essentials, teachers may go off topic or skip important concepts. Testing scope makes it easier for teachers to plan a syllabus for yearly instruction that covers all the lessons the students need to learn within the semesters (Rose 3). It is crucial to lecture students about what they need to know, not just what their teachers like to talk about. As teachers free their time from planning what to lecture, they can ponder better methods of teaching. Excellent teachers are able to teach creatively and interestingly no matter what tests require. For instance, one teacher reveals that the class uses manipulatives in math and science more frequently to help students comprehend the concepts and get better scores on the standardized tests they take (Rose 4). With standardized testing demands, teachers can implement their own ideas of teaching methods based on their unique perception of students, and be encouraged to come up with creative ideas to promote student learning more effectively. Teachers can take pride in the results of their teachings, which is reflected by test