Standardized Testing Pros And Cons

A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in a constant manner. A standardized test can be formatted as multiple choice, essay, or a combination of both (Smith 1). There are two major kinds of standardized tests which include aptitude and achievement tests. Standardized aptitude tests predict how well students are expected to perform in their next educational setting. The SAT and ACT are aptitude tests that almost all high school students are required to take before graduation. The second kind of standardized test, the achievement test, is a test that school board members and citizens look upon to evaluate a school's overall effectiveness (Popham 2). The scores on both of these tests have been used as a benchmark, and allow

Both educators and parents have voiced their opinions of their stance on this rising number (Layton 1). A buildup of arguments began after the No Child Left Behind act was passed by Congress in 2001. This act required all states to test annually, in reading and math, from third to eighth grade and one additional time in high school. After continuous controversy, the government is now trying to help implement a plan to improve education along with standardized tests (Layton 4). President Obama addressed the negative comments about testing and noted a few positive things about standardized tests. Barack Obama voiced his opinion stating that standardized tests give schools the ability to quickly and accurately measure a student’s progress in school. He also noted that parents and teachers worry too much about testing and that teachers have reported that the joy of teaching is lost due to constant testing and scrutiny. President Obama says “I want to fix that.” (Layton

If test scores are good, it is implied that so are the teachers and the same goes for the opposite (Popham 1). This measurement is like measuring temperature with a tablespoon. A tablespoon is not an accurate tool to measure temperature, just like a standardized test is not effective in measuring a teacher’s ability (Popham 5). An example of this is Joshua Katz, a math teacher who recently experienced a decrease in salary by $1,100. The reason for this was because Joshua's teaching had gone from highly effect to effective, due to the new testing scores that year. Perhaps this kind of treatment is why the United States is lacking enough teachers for its school systems. A teacher's value should be determined by many factors, not just testing scores (Cox 2). No other nation uses the testing to set teachers salaries. Many other countries instead use the testing scores to help teachers improve and push them forward (Rizga 7). All of the controversy that has arisen makes it hard to remember and realize the original goal behind standardized testing (Rizga