Standardized Testing For Better or For Worse - 1334 Words

Standardized Testing: For Better or For Worse? Almost everyone in the U.S. recognizes that standardized testing is a central part of the education system in our country. What many people don’t know though is the history of where it came from. Beginning in the mid-1800s prestigious universities decided they wanted to give more students across the country a better chance at going into higher education, but at the time there wasn’t a way to measure the capabilities of students in both high class and low class families. This is how standardized testing came into play. If a student could do well on these tests regardless of their financial position than their scores would hopefully speak for themselves. Although, now standardized testing†¦show more content†¦Then there are also the disadvantages that affects both teachers and students. Teacher’s are no longer expected to just present the information that would aid students, but they’re now arguably forced to â€Å"teach to the test†. â€Å" In general, teachers report spending from one to four weeks of class time on the following: having students complete worksheets that review expected test content, having students practice item formats expected on the test, and instructing students in test-taking strategies.† (Herman, Joan L., 1991) is a quote from a book that is based on the correlation between standardized testing and teaching. The amount of time spent on preparing students across the nation for testing increases with each additional test put in place, and this is time that could be spent preparing children and young adults for various other things. The results that a teacher’s students get on the test are also meant to reflect their ability to teach, but this isn’t always so clear cut. The tests don’t take into account the personal factors that could affect a student’s scores. A student could have personal problems at home, could be court-ordered to be in school, or just not want to try their best, and ultimately all these things will unfairly represent a teacher’s potential to teach. This is not only a misinterpretation of a person’s ability to relate information, but also an ineffective measurement ofShow MoreRelatedThe Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing1286 Words   |  6 Pagesto graduate because of their poor scores on standardized tests. Students all over the United States are forced to participate in statewide standardized tests each year. Many claim that standardized testing allows for teachers to help their students easier, and that it holds school districts accountable. Wh ile school mandated standardized testing can be useful, statewide standardized testing is ineffective and negatively impacts students. Standardized tests can cause unnecessary stress on, alreadyRead MoreNo More Tests in School1582 Words   |  6 PagesWe Should Not have Tests in Schools Testing in school measures no more than a student’s ability to take a test. The amount of pressure on a student during a standardized test is immense. Einstein a German theoretical physicist once said, â€Å"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.†(Einstein). Having everybody in a diverse country take the exact same tests doesn’t accurately measure their ability on theRead MoreResearch Paper over Standardized Testing1330 Words   |  6 PagesCatherine Burgess 1 Burgess 1 Mrs. Edmonds English 3 AP 2/20/2013 Standardized Testing The current period of learning is being determined by standardized testing, and has become the main focus of many arguments within the education system. Students all over the United States are being subjected to standardized tests often throughout their years in school due to legislation that has been set by Government over the past several years. While there are many upsides to the reasonsRead MoreStandardized Testing Essay996 Words   |  4 Pagessystem is standardized testing. A standardized test is any examination thats administered and scored in a calculated, standard manner. There are two major kinds of standardized tests: aptitude tests and achievement tests. Standardized aptitude tests predict how well students might perform in some subsequent educational setting. The most common examples are the SAT’s and the ACT’s. The SAT and the ACT attempt to estimate how well high school students will perform in college. But standardized test scoresRead MoreAre Standardiz ed Exams Sufficient as a Test of Knowledge?1186 Words   |  5 PagesOne issue that is frequently brought up in the system of education is whether standardized exams are a good way to test the knowledge of a student and whether they should be given in a school to determine if a child advances. Standardized exams are a subject many people feel very strongly about. Some believe that it is stressful and time consuming; others consider that it can be beneficial. I believe that standardized exams should not be given to students and should not be used to determine theRead MoreThe No Child Left Behind Act903 Words   |  4 Pageschildren’s education has gotten better, money in the school system is being spent smarter, and the amount of standardized testing has been increased. Although the No Child Left behind Act was believed to better education and the schooling system in America, many believe that since the act was signed the school system has actually gotten worse. One of the main reasons that it is believed the school system has worsened is because of the major increase of standardized testing. The No Child Left behind ActRead MoreIs Standardized Testing A Reliable Measure For College? Essay1392 Words   |  6 PagesTori Novak Danielle Ryle ENGL015-071 5 April 2016 Is Standardized Testing A Reliable Measure For College? Standardized testing has been around since the early 1900’s. Today, it determines a high school student’s future. Every year juniors in high school start to prepare months in advance for the SAT’s and ACT’s. Along with the test itself, comes stress that is not necessary. The debate of standardized tests defining a student’s academic ability or not has become a recent popular controversialRead MoreStandardized Testing: The Real Threat to American Schools by Alfie Kohn1304 Words   |  6 PagesStandardized testing requires student to answer same or similar questions with given answer choices that are often in multiple choice or true or false form. Dating back from 2200 B.C standardized testing is recorded being used in China ,where people applying for government jobs had to take an examination ,testing their knowledge on confucian philosophy and poetry.During the mid-1800s in Industrial Revolution ,soon after child labor laws were enacted taking children out of farms and factories andRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Standardized Testing1193 Words   |  5 Pagesnow, standardized testing has been at the forefront of all education and is part of the reason students dread going to school. Although standardized testing has become a significant part of our education, it does have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the instruction we are getting. This topic is essential to many because the use of these such tests are damaging our education system. The question most familiar to students and many others, is why we are subject to standardized testing? SomeRead MoreA Brief Note On Death With Standardized Testing1471 Words   |  6 PagesDeath with Standardized Testing High-stakes standardized is a hot topic all across the United States at the moment. Some people are for it while others are against it. As many would argue, standardized testing provides a benchmark for student’s progress in the classroom and that it holds teachers and students accountable for their work. On the contrary, standardized testing is more destructive to a student and even a teacher’s educational experiences. Therefore, standardized testing such as the