...Standardized Testing: Harmful to Learning Standardized Testing: Harmful to Learning Currently impressionable youth are receiving test results that may seem of little consequence to most but to them it says they are not good enough, or smart enough. Many students have received these results and felt the disappointment it can bring not only to their academic life but also how it melts into their self-esteem and self-worth. Even a teacher feeling they have failed there students, being unable to achieve certain marks knowing students will suffer not only academically but also loose funding for programs that they so desperately need or want. These negative connotations along with incidents of impropriety have come to light in the process of standardized testing in our schools across the nations. Standardized testing has created a test driven education, altering teaching strategies with a higher stress environment for not only teachers but students as well, and has great consequences for all involved if they fail to meet mandated scores. History of Testing Testing isn’t new to education yet it has changed dramatically from where it started many years ago. The history of testing dates back for many centuries for many different reasons including our military, but most are centered on education and its effectiveness as a whole. When the military introduced aptitude tests they where to help find suitable candidates for positions such as officers, and other special...
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...of us have dreaded standardized testing. I know I have, as I was always trying to prepare myself whether it was taking classes offered after class, or just putting that extra time in at home. Standardized testing shouldn't be used to measure a students ability and knowledge in school. "The Council of Chief State School Officers and the country's largest school districts have spoken out in favor of reducing the number of standardized tests students take. The national teachers unions and other traditionally Democratic groups are on board with the idea too"(Kamenetz). Students aren't provided the feedback they'd like after taking a standardized test. One thing a student always looks forward to after taking a test is see their score along...
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...Standardized Testing; Worth it or Not? “When teachers talk about high school ‘standardized tests’ these days, they're not talking about the SAT. They mean federally mandated, timed, 'one set of multiple choice questions fits all' tests designed to measure students' performance in basic subjects like math and reading. Each state decides how to define educational proficiency, and tests use a minimum of three scores: Below Basic, Proficient, and Advanced” (Kumeh). These tests are put together not only to test the students comprehension in these subjects, but to also see if the teacher is meeting the specific objectives for each subject. States were not federally mandated to give their own standardized tests until 1994 when the Clinton administration changed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. In which, it stated that every state receiving federal money must test third through eighth grade students in math and reading yearly. However, when President George W. Bush passed the “No Child Left Behind Act” in 2001, it requires that not only do these schools need to test their students annually, but they must improve their scores from the previous year or government regulations will be put into place. “Testing has been a valuable part of the educational process since the days of Socrates. There is nothing new or scary about it. It lets teachers and parents know how kids are doing and lets students see the rewards of hard work” (Spellings). The US Board of Education is...
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...Standardized Testing The world is getting less intelligent, in regards to grammar and speech. The invention of spell check and grammar check has diminished the importance to properly learning grammar and punctuation. Students aren’t as worried about sentence structure or grammar because Word programs have built in features to correct them. Their papers are spelled properly, sentences properly structured without even realizing there was a mistake to begin with. It has defeated the purpose of a rough draft, if the first version of the paper is “perfect.” And annual Standardized testing was mandated in 2002 after the No Child Left Behind Act, when US students fell in math and science in world rankings. These program features and tests contribute to the students’ decline in a number of ways. By offering “multiple choice”, students’ understanding or ability to properly structure a paragraph or an entire essay isn’t being tested, their ability to recall information is. While being able to memorize things is helpful, it’s of no help long term. English and composition classes in higher education institutions will expect students to be able to demonstrate their understanding. “State assessments in mathematics and English often fail to capture the full spectrum of what students know and can do…. Students, parents, and educators know there is much more to a sound education than picking the right answer on a multiple-choice question” (Problems with Standardized Testing). Students are being...
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...Financial incentives, Standardized Tests is this the right path? Have you ever wondered what educational value a standardized test brings to high school students? If you are having trouble answering that question, well do not be alarmed because you are not alone. This question has been on the minds of many people for a very long time. Many people believe that standardized testing is essential for children to be educated; although, on the other hand there is another group of people that believe standardized testing is pointless. This particular argument is up to an individual’s opinion; although, what is not a matter of opinion is if rewarding students with a financial reward or incentive to put standardized testing as a first priority is a good idea. To give a financial incentive to a high school student for his or her performance on a standardized test is not only an unethical practice, it also will not increase standardized test scores or productivity on an academic level. The argument on the actual educational value of a standardized test has been debated for decades now. Some believe that standardized tests are culturally Bias. Others argue that standardized tests hold no value in educating young students. Then there is the state and federal governments who believe that a standardized test is the only way of gauging if a student has learned anything. The issue of standardized testing has been a sore sport of discussion amongst all people that believe getting an...
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...Higher education is increasing as the years increase and the importance of grade standardization has increased. The emphasis on GPA, SAT, ACT and other standardized test have been placed on high scale of a students’ future success. Is this nonsense? Some professors feel that these standardizations are the best alternatives as it sets an equal scale for everyone of all ethnicities, genders, and races. Others argue that each individual cannot be grouped in the same category because of their differences in learning and testing strategies. With there being so many different aspects to determine the future of a person, there was a search for a standardization scale to be put in place, ultimately, matching the future of a person with the higher...
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...Standardized Testing and Its Effects: An Annotated Bibliography The first standardized test was administered by Horace Mann in the nineteenth century as as a result of the concern with the educational reform in America (Gallagher, 2003). Although the students’ results were disappointing, this lead to the movement of using standardized tests throughout curriculum. In spite of the controversy, the popularity of this form of testing has increased greatly over time. The debate on standardized tests has been an ongoing issue throughout history. While some believe that these tests are an unjust, incorrect way to measure intelligence, others suggest that standardized testing is a vital part of the educational process. In order to gather an unbiased...
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...Standardized Testing Should Not Take Place in Kindergarten Kourtney C. Robles-Stewart Rasmussen College English Composition G124/ENC1101 Section 04 Teresa Kelly March 4, 2016 Abstract Standardized testing in kindergarten has become a very controversial topic across the nation. While there may be advantages of implementing standardized tests in schools, the disadvantages seem to be never-ending. The following paper will analyze the effects standardized testing can have on children of all ages with an emphasis on kindergarteners. It will look into the factors that impact test scores and how the tests compare to normal classroom activities and behaviors. A brief look into the role the United States government has played in standardized testing across the nation will also be covered. Standardized Testing Should Not Take Place in Kindergarten It’s a normal Monday morning when a mother is getting her, normally, very eager five-year-old ready for school. Her daughter has never missed a day and has always been overly-excited to get back to class after the weekend off, however, today is not the same. The little girl who once loved going to school to see her teacher and friends, now wants nothing to do with it, she simply doesn’t want to go. Her reasoning, “it’s not fun”. Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming more common across the nation as curriculum modifications are being made by educators to prepare young students for standardized tests. Since "No Child Left Behind"...
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... agrees standardized testing is best to measure a students “educational goals.” (Walberg 1) Truly, in the results of testing haven’t done this. “The scores don’t provide very much useful information for evaluating a student's achievement” (Harris “and others” 1) Scores from a standardized test don’t measure a student achievement. Schools now don’t care about a student’s achievement due to standardized tests. According to Phillip Harris, arguing that standardized test does a “poor job” with measuring student's achievement. In addition Richard Rothstein, an education economist stated ‘Measurement of student achievement is complex-too complex for social science presently available.’ (Harris “and others” 1) These methods include standardized testing. Rothstein statement was made in 1998. More than a decade later, there is no easier way to evaluate student achievement. The great amount of testing that happens in public schools makes the scores on test carry the weight and schools depend on the number. Reducing the...
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...Testing in schools has always been common; teachers need a way to arbitrate if students are understanding and obtaining the knowledge being taught. However, a different type of test is becoming prominent in school systems. Standardized testing, examinations administered and scored in a standard manner (7), are taking over the school systems. Standardized tests administered to students are either aptitude tests or achievement tests. Aptitude tests predict student’s performance, like the common ACT and SAT that colleges frequently use; achievement tests evaluate teacher and school effectiveness (7). Although standardized tests are becoming significant in school curriculum, the results do not accurately represent student or teacher abilities....
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...No Child Left Behind created a strict emphasis on standardized testing. Many advocates of this policy argue that standardized testing increases student performance and accountability in public education. Standardized testing creates testing anxiety for the student and the teacher, that hinders performance. Standardized testing under the original policy only mandated for reading and math assessments. Reading and math standardized test dismantle education holistically. Teachers of other subject begin to decline in importance and don’t receive the same amount of classroom resources as reading and math teachers. “This emphasis would result in increased educational focus on the subjects of reading and mathematics, while taking away instructional time from subjects not covered by the law” (National Education Association, 2010). 44% of public schools have decreased the amount of time spent on science, social studies, and arts by about 145 minutes per week to focus on law mandated tests (National Education Association, 2010). When evaluating No Child Left Behind many of the flaws drawn from evaluating are a result of the policy implementation. These penalties and requirements were never tested, so there was no proof...
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...Should public schools continue standardized testing? The United States government implemented the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA), signed into law on January 8, 2002 by President George W. Bush (US Government Printing Office, 2002). This Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills. In order to receive federal school funding, states must give these assessments to all students at select grade levels. The Act does not assert a national achievement standard. Each state develops its own standards (US Government Printing Office, 2002). Since the creation of this act, various debates challenge the practical use of the standardized tests. The debate presented for this paper is an argument, “Should public schools continue standardized testing?” The favorable arguments are that the standardized tests are fair, backed by parents, improves the quality of the curriculum, and the usage of standardized tests outside of the public education system. The arguments against standardized testing are stereotyping poor performing students, testing anxiety, low morale with teachers, and basing teacher evaluations on student performance. Additionally, ethical, moral and legal issues are identified in relation to standardized testing and their effects on high-stakes testing. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the given arguments, both for and against standardized testing from different sources and to conclude with a consensus of the arguments with the authors of this...
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...Annotated Bibliography THESIS STATEMENT: In order to improve our level of education and help students to retain and learn what teachers are teaching, the state needs to remove standardized state level of testing; this will encourage children of young age to think creativity and think outside the box, encourages organic learning and prevents the unnecessary stress on young children. Robinson, K. (2013, April) Ted Talks Education How to escape educations death valley [Video File] Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_how_to_escape_education_s_death_valley#t-782486 Ken Robinson is an author, speaker and international advisor on education. He emphasized on importance of education and how it is that we are to change the way we are teaching in America. He mentions that while the standardized testing is ok, we should however expand on the notion with state testing and expand within the arts. He mentions that 60% of children drop out of school before they get into high school. He also states the No Child Left Behind act is based not on diversity but conformity. He compared Finland to each state within the America. Finland does not use any standardized testing; yet they are consistently above average. The difference with Finland and any state in America can be summed up by 3 things. 1) America in general or state level does not individualize teaching and learning. 2) America in general or state level does not invest in the teacher. He states that America...
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...Psychological Testing Andrea K. Clark 06/15/2015 PSY/475 Introduction to Psychological Testing The goal of this paper is the summarization of key suppositions and basic questions related to psychological testing. A definition of the term ‘test’ shall be provided, as well as explanations of the main test types and identification of the chief users and usages of these tests. Additionally, there shall be a discussion of a comparison and contrast of reliability and validity beliefs and how they influence psychological testing. Definition of Test The definition of a test is “a critical examination, observation, or evaluation” that generates information (Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2015). Tests are utilized to identify, characterize or measure an individual’s or group’s knowledge, intellect, skills, capabilities or aptitudes. In the psychological fields, tests are assessment tools that standardize these characterizations, measurements, and identifications. Psychological tests are “a systematic procedure for observing behavior and describing it with the aid of numerical scales or fixed categories” (Hogan, 2007, p. 39). Main Test Types, Chief Usages, and Users According to Hogan (2007), “we classify tests into five major categories: mental ability, achievement, personality, interests, and neuropsychological tests, with several subdivisions within some of the major categories” (p. 41). There are also different test classification methods: standardized, non-standardized, self-reports...
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...Standardized Tests Keisha Rucker English 102 11/11/2012 Rachel Hawley Standardized Tests What is Standardized Tests? Standardized Tests is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent or standard manner. Some different types of standardized tests are SAT, ACT, and ISAT. These different tests are biased in the public school system across the United States. Standardized test take up a lot of student’s energy, adds a lot of stress, and takes away from their creativity and social life. Standardized tests are just one measure of performance in a Student’s portfolio, according to education commissioner Peter McWalters (Jordan, 2005). WASHINGTON, D.C., Standardized tests are "like a lock on the mind, a guard at the factory gate," the executive director of the National Education Association said today, noting that "the only real beneficiaries, aside from the test marketers themselves, are insecure school managers striving for comfort in their relations with school boards, legislators, and governors”( Standardized tests, 1976). Critics have demonstrated that many standardized test are biased because their questions tap a set of knowledge and skills more likely to be possessed by children from a privileged background (Kohn, 2000). Most tests are written by people who don’t have any experience teaching students. Students from different cultures may lace higher importance on different skills. They may be stronger or weaker in areas tested compared to other students of...
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