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The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing

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On a global scale, American students have significantly fallen behind in educational rankings as measured by the two major international large-scale assessments, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), in math, reading and science from 2000-2015 (OECD, 2016). The TIMSS is the largest and most extensive cross-cultural student achievement assessment ever conducted and reflects curriculum-based skills and knowledge taught in schools. The PISA gauges real-world problem solving, cross-curricular competencies, and literacy in reading, mathematics and science. In both of these international assessments, the U.S. continues to rank below average and behind many …show more content…

Many argue such tests take a one-size-fits-all approach that lacks the ability to deliver accurate results and that no matter how well designed the tests are, that they will never be a solution for all issues. Standardized exams lack the ability to adequately measure such a large and diverse population presented within the United States student body. These imprecise instruments are based on false assumptions that compound biases and inequalities. Opponents argue testing doesn’t really level the playing field for all students as was originally intended by NCLB. Standardized testing has been shown to penalize students from disadvantaged backgrounds because while being given the same exams, students from more affluent backgrounds have the means to hire personal tutors and take expensive test prep courses to specifically prepare for tests (Neill & Medina, …show more content…

After falling to the bottom of the position of global education rankings, the nation decided to overhaul its system completely. The turning point came in the 1970’s when all teachers were required to have master’s degrees. Even though all degrees are state-funded, acceptance into teaching programs in Finland is now more competitive to get into than medical programs. Only the top 10% of each graduating class are chosen to practice in education. As a result, the profession of teaching in Finland is given the same regard as the professions of doctors and lawyers. Finnish Educators say the country’s success lies in the basic primary education provided from age 7 through 16, after which most students go to vocational or academic schools. During this time the educational aim is to serve as an equalizing instrument for society (Sahlberg 2016). Finland’s roots lie in the Lutheran church, pillars of which are the religious belief in equality and opportunity. These beliefs are taught in schools and set the stage for the educational curriculum, which serves as broad guidelines for

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All students dread one thing when it comes to school - testing. Standardized test are the main focus in our school systems instead of actually gaining knowledge at the end of the year. As a mother, Michelle Rhee, understands the lack of attention given on education as a whole instead of just waiting on the scores, but she still agrees on continuing with standardized test. Kristina Rizga opposes the opinion of Michelle Rhee as she does not believe standardized test truly measure the intelligence of a student. Kristina Rizga proves her stand against standardized test by utilizing solid use of argumentation.

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Walt Whitman shows a connection between the senses and science in his poem, “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer, by expressing his thoughts of the astronomers class and his thoughts when he experiences the stars for himself.” The connection begins after Whitman first starts to discuss the astronomer’s lecture, stating “I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide and measure them” (Whitman 3), however he later writes, “I became tired and sick” (Whitman 6). His quote gives the impression that he is not as engrossed with the lecture as his surrounding audience, whom applauds at the words of the knowledgeable astronomer. It is not until the narrator leaves the class and steps out into the mystic night that a connection is made between

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883 Words | 4 Pages

Basic, Boring, and Plain are just three words of how to never describe the thought provoking research book, The Smartest Kids in the World, by the author, Amanda Ripley, who logically argues that education must be reformed. She mainly underscores the need to apply the revolutionizing techniques that she deliberately unveils to the audience with a hurl of statistics and appealing testimonies from foreign exchange students to the very developed nation: The United States. Ripley urges the nation to implement more rigor into students’ coursework, hire highly educated teachers, and hold both teachers and students accountable for results in order to prepare students for the flood of trenches that lay ahead. The author quickly grasps the attention of the reader by presenting three unlikely candidates, Finland, Poland, and South Korea, as her main role models of a good educational system that the modern world should learn from.

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276 Words | 2 Pages

Some of the major differences in the Finnish education system is the perception and the organization of their schools. “The two main elements of strength in the Finnish educational system

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199 Words | 1 Pages

Standardized testing not only stresses out students, but it also leads the teachers to go in a dilemma whether to focus on the curriculum or to get students ready for the standardized testing. No one has ever enjoyed taking a test in his or her entire educational history. Similarly Mr. Estrada’s 4th grade class was not every excited about taking standardized test. Each student has his or her own level of learning. As the students were taking the test, I noticed some students were panicking, while others were confused.

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1507 Words | 7 Pages

Since 2006, overall SAT scores have dropped by 21 points. It is safe to say that the increase in standardized testing has done more bad than good. When standardized testing became more prominent, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) saw a plateau in reading and math scores. Additionally, the NAEP saw no further closure in the test score gap. The test score gap affects all minorities.

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1749 Words | 7 Pages

Introduction Standardized tests may be used for a wide variety of educational purposes. For example, they may be used to determine a young child’s readiness for kindergarten, identify students who need special-education services or specialized academic support, place students in different academic programs or course levels, or award diplomas and other educational certificates. Thesis Statement Standardized tests should not be eliminated completely, but should rather be evaluated in addition to other factors such as grades, extracurricular activities, and volunteer hours. This would take pressure off of students during standardized tests, allow colleges to see how well-rounded the students are, and give students who are better in other areas

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895 Words | 4 Pages

Standardized tests are very common in today’s modern society. They are used as a tool to measure a person’s performance and indicate how their estimated performance will be in a college class. Every year hundreds of students take the ACT or SAT in order to get accepted into their college of choice and to receive scholarships, but they fail to see the problems with these standardized tests. As more and more people take these tests, the national average score falls causing doubt in the extremely important system. This is leading people to question whether or not the ACT and SATs are accomplishing what they were created to do.

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647 Words | 3 Pages

In fact, the increasing use of standardized testing will do more damage than good, because of its failure to capture the entirety of a student’s body of work. Furthermore, the overwhelming stress that the United States government, and school systems have placed on the usage of standardized tests has become detrimental to American education, and is not the most effective way to gauge the intelligence of American students. The American educational system should be fixated on providing each child enough attention and information so they can succeed in that class and in the future. However, the increasing focus on having to pass a standardized test has blinded schools of the real goal, because they are required to get their students to pass the standardized tests.

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600 Words | 3 Pages

Book VII of the Republic, begins with a description of a group of people who have lived chained and motionless to a wall for their entire lives. The individuals stare at a blank wall as shadows are projected from objects passing in front of a fire that lies behind them. Over time they begin to give names to the shadows that they see and believe these sounds they hear echoing from the walls come from the shadows. These sites and sounds are the only reality that the prisoners know and believe that they see are real. Socrates then poses that one of the prisoners becomes free from his chains and turns to see the fire.

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839 Words | 4 Pages

The consensus of the population agrees as well – so why has the problem not been resolved yet? Many educators in Canada are putting their efforts into educational reform but, are not implementing any good ideas. The search must start in the countries which have some of the best education systems in the world. When we turn to Finland, we remark that the main difference

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228 Words | 1 Pages

It is a known fact that standardized tests are needed. Even with their flaws, they provide a baseline for counties, states and the country as a whole to compare students and they are a crucial part of college admissions. They cannot be taken away. But the extent of their influence in a student’s education should be limited. Limiting the amount of tests given or creating a system in which the tests are not the main component that shows the level of a student’s intelligence can result in a better school experience for students, teachers and parents.

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1801 Words | 8 Pages

We think that this system should be implemented into other countries’ education system. The lack of stress on the child throughout comprehensive education would benefit the child to learn more about life before needing to focus on actual studies. We also believe that equality throughout the Finnish education system is vital to its

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1580 Words | 7 Pages

The current plight of the American education system is partly due to a serious shortage of teachers who can effectively instruct the students on the material and skills expected of their grade level and beyond. One reason may be because the current requirements for all teacher candidates are quite soft, as in many states, candidates are subject to only a number of requirements, including a bachelor’s degree, the completion of teacher training, an exam of school content knowledge, and other certifications (“Teacher Certification and Licensing Guide”). The most likely reason, however, of low-quality instruction in school is due to an inherent lack of intrinsic motivation and discipline in many teachers to do their best for students to excel in school and life, and if the teachers are too lazy and incompetent to do their jobs, students are more likely to follow that example and do so likewise in their own lives. This is shown in a chapter from Theodore R. Sizer’s book Horace's Compromise: The Dilemma of the American High School called “What High School Is,” where a story is told from the perspective of Mark, a typical high school student in the United States, including

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1248 Words | 5 Pages

Students' intelligence aren't measured at all for the first sixed years, so they can focus more on learning, collaboration, and personal needs rather than competing with other students for an "A". The difference between the "weakest" and "strongest" is the smallest in the world. About two thirds of students attend college, and that is the highest rate in all of Europe. They also have longer breaks compared with other schools, and teachers only spend four hours a day in the class room and two hours for extra help. Today, Finland's education system is proven to be most effective, and students outperform most of the world.

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