Standardized Testing Persuasive Essay

January 8th, 2002. This is the day an act was put into place where students grades 3rd through 12th have to take standardized tests at the end of every school year. There are two types of standardized tests, Aptitude and Achievement Tests. Aptitude is the ACT and SAT, which shows how well students will do in future colleges. Achievement tests are what is taken in K-12 schools which students and the school board look at to see how well students are being educated. In the article,”Education Standards: An Overview”, the authors Deborah Lee and Denis B. Geier explain,”Since the administration of President George W. Bush introduced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, intense debate has taken place over the role of standardized tests in

In the article,”Why Standardized Tests Don’t Measure Education Quality” published by Educational Leadership, the authors explain,”Such information, because it illuminates a child’s strengths and weaknesses, can be helpful not only in dealing with their child’s teacher but also in determining at home assistance”(Popham 1). Not everything can be taught in the classroom and sometimes kids need to find extra help outside of school. These standardized tests have always been an efficient way to show where these problem areas are so that students can focus on areas where they need more attention. Continuing to use these standardized tests heavily impact the learning of American students. By looking at the data from standardized tests in American schools, they can show what extra work needs to be done in order to improve students’

Based on a survey conducted at West Forsyth High School, participants answered the question “Do you think standardized testing improves students overall education?” We got this response from a student,”No, it induces stress and puts importance on passing one test over retaining the knowledge for practical life.” From studying to taking standardized tests, they can negatively affect students and put them in a bad place of mind. However, there is no need to be stressed. A lot of standardized tests are applying these important topics learned in classrooms, and they are not a part of students' grades. There should be no stress based around a test that is only used to see if teachers are putting their work in. Standardized testing doesn’t work. Standardized testing doesn’t work. Standardized testing doesn’t work. That’s what every student says but when it comes to an administrator or counselor they respond differently. Administrator Mr. Parker took the same survey, and he said,”I think that if used correctly then it can improve students overall education. While we know the process can be stressful for students, the data that we receive is used to determine if we as a school are doing a good job in preparing our students. For example we know that if a large group of students `performed poorly on a section, then we should look at our teaching practices to determine what we need to shift in