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Summary Of Fundamentals Of Standardized Testing

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Sasha Zucker states in her article “Fundamentals of Standardized Testing” that standardized tests are unbiased because machines grade the tests to avoid human errors in grading. However, the bias that occurs on standardized tests is mostly found in the students taking the test, such as in their culture, disabilities, emotions during the test, and any other aspects in their life that would cause test scores to greatly differ from what they could be and the test scores of other students. Having machines grade the standardized tests removes a very small amount of bias in standardized testing and does not provide for an unbiased testing method. Zucker also states about viable tests that “For a test to solve this combination of challenges effectively, …show more content…

Valid – The test must be shown to measure what it is intended to measure. Unbiased – The test should not place students at a disadvantage because of gender, ethnicity, language, or disability.” Yet, all three requirements for a test to be viable do not apply to standardized testing. Results produced are not consistent, as the day to day lives of students are constantly changing; Issues in the students’ lives may affect their thoughts, emotions, and health that would affect the results of their tests, providing a variety of test scores for one person alone. The validity of the test is also in question as it does not account for differences in students’ backgrounds and personal life so test scores do not accurately measure student’s abilities, but rather, it measures their ability to memorize information and test taking skills. Standardized testing holds a very large amount of bias, as the students of different ethnicities, cultures, and languages, have to confront many biased questions that are present in standardized tests. Therefore, standardized testing, according to Zucker’s analysis of an effective test, should not be used as an effective measure for testing students’ intelligence as it breaks the three requirements that make …show more content…

For example, colleges and working establishments could look at standardized testing scores as a guideline in deciding whether a student should be accepted, rather than being the final decision maker. GPA can determine a certain level of maturity, intelligence, and self discipline in students because to achieve a high GPA students must maintain good grades in each class throughout 4 years of schooling, showing a high level of determination which will benefit not only the student but the college or workplace as well (Sheffer). Thus, GPA can be a good indicator of acceptance by colleges and workplaces and should carry a higher level of influence than it already does in society. To prepare students for tests, schools change the curriculum and how it's taught to match the material on the standardized test. So, while the curriculum might be a helpful for taking the test, it means that students will only be taught a limited amount of material, will not be given an explanation of why it works, and will not be taught material that isn't on the test but may be helpful in college or work establishments (Perrone). Students end up memorizing material for the tests that they don’t even understand and probably won’t understand until they have to relearn it in college. Thus, another method to help fix problems with standardized

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