Taking a Look at Standardized Testing

Did you know that kids take 20-25 hours on standardized tests. Sides of this argument are how they should change the test, while the other is keep the same tests. I think that we should change because there’s too much time spent on it, because government money can be spent to limit tests, and we don't need to many tests.

Standardized testing has been an inevitable part of life for countless Americans, making them question the validity of their life choices since the third grade. When taking standardized tests, one encounters some obvious drawbacks. Any student who has been forced to take one of the hundreds that exist can recount the tales of stress and feelings of inadequacy that linger after every test taken.

Standardized Testing is any form of a test that is scored in a standard manner which makes it easier to compare the relative performance of students. The different types of standardized tests included the SAT, which is the scholastic assessment test which is given out by the college board, and the ACT which is American College for Testing and is administered by the national admissions test (Lieberman). These types of tests help colleges pick which students to accept and which students to deny. As useful as they seem, they aren’t all that easy to do. A huge load of time and intense studying that causes a huge amount of stress is put into these standardized tests. Students are constantly being tested and have to take trail tests to see if they

Standardized Testing is one of the many issues currently plaguing the education community. Testing is a very touchy and controversial topic in the politics of education, particularly in the United States. There are many varying opinions debating on the successes and failures in the process of testing today. The controversies over standardized testing in the United State, and specifically New Jersey, stem from the testing process and the creation of these tests. Some claim that standardized tests are culturally biased, which is a disadvantage to minority students. These tests also are very costly, and affect the education budget. The tests also pose a large time commitment, with preparation for the tests, as well as the time allotted to take the tests themselves. Preparations for the tests can also have issues, with some educators teaching toward the test, to ensure a higher success rate for the students. The grading and processing of these tests also comes into question, because the tests might not be an accurate measure of student achievement. Standardized testing is a very controversial topic because of the extremely high stakes. The successes or failures of students on these tests affect the students and the schools. With the new obsession with high performance rates, standardized testing has become more high stakes.

When I was younger I always saw my older siblings dread going into highschool and I never understood why. I mean, you get more freedom, you can drive, and you’re that much closer to graduating. What’s not to like? Well, let’s just say I was too young to understand everything that went along with high school. The loads of homework, being in sports, having a job, and trying to have a social life along with your busy schedules. On top of that, you can’t forget the horrid tests every high school student is forced to take. The SAT, ACT, ITBS, MAP, and COMPASS tests are just a few of the tests we have to take throughout our four years. Two of those tests are optional, but the rest are mandatory. You’re given a set amount of time

Standardized testing first started in the mid 1800s, testing the amount of knowledge that a student knows when it comes to the three main subjects; math, science and history. The big question is if these tests are accurate in testing the knowledge of the student, or only testing the ability of the student to take tests. Those against say that standardized testing overall is not worth the time and the money for no overall improvement in the students. They believe there is too much emphasis put on testing, causing the students to over stress. Those on the other side of the spectrum argue that standardized testing is the only cheap and effective way to evaluate students and their knowledge. They argue it is a way for them to be able to measure the progress of

Standardized tests are based around a curriculum a student should be learning from their teachers. This allows the state and national Boards of Education to

The purpose of education has shifted from learning & gaining knowledge to see how well students can show patience, obedience, and willingness to work, so that colleges can pick out people that are going to work hard (Brabeck).We memorize, study for the test and forget it and repeat the cycle all over again. That’s why when young children ask adults or parents for help with their homework, they struggle to help because they can’t remember it. Also if the purpose of school was to learn, than why do they make us do standardized testing ? Standardized testing is not used in any way to see how much we’ve learned, but rather how much we can memorize/remember. Which is creating a conformity within our learning, and destroying creativity (Brabeck).

Standardized testing now days has changed and gotten a lot more helpful than it was in the past. Students are given a chance at studying what they learned and then use the studying on the test. So many teachers and educators believe that a standardized test is more important than an advanced test.

In 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed to improve the education system. Standardized testing is one of the results of President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act. States are required by law to test students every year from 3rd grade to 8th grade and once from 10th grade to 12th grade in at least reading and math. Here in Georgia, the test is the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). Standardized testing is both good and bad for a student, the school, and the teachers. With all of its’ pros and cons, standardized testing should remain an important aspect of our school system.

The original form of standardized testing had a fine proposal for accountability and quality control, but constant legislation change make it difficult for teachers to redesign and modify lesson plans to align with federal and state guidelines. Which have confused and disorganized the system, as well as the massive population increase and sizeable amount of academic and environmental variables.

I am planning on doing my causation essay over the effects standardized testing has on a students attitude and outlook on their impending future. Majority, if not all, have taken a standardized test and this life-altering questionnaire has been the source of hatred towards schooling and negatively impacts our mindset due to a simple number never being high enough to truly show what one is capable of. I recently received my SAT score and was highly disappointed that I did not achieve the score I felt I worked for. This, in turn messed up my plans for attending my top choice college because I was thrown into the “average category.” This conforming test pushes you to the limit on stress and time and is the loathed obstacle that greatly determines

A standardized test, according to James Popham, is “Any test that is administered, scored, and interpreted in a standard, predetermined manner”. Tests like these have been around for centuries, noticeably since the 1800’s in the United States. Today's tests are forms of those created in 1965 for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In 2002, these tests were enforced in all schools in every state of this country as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act (Is the Use…).

Standardized testing is a large part of the education system today. Most schools take at least one every year. The tests were put in place with good intentions, but overall failed as a way of raising standards. Standardized tests should be removed from our schools because they have a negative effect on most school environments, effects both students and teachers emotionally, has yet to be proven to increase overall educational performance, have been proven to be biased in multiple studies, limit the creative ability that is used in the classroom setting, is not an accurate measure of a student’s intellect, it takes up valuable class time and results in overall counterproductivity.

Standardized tests are tests that is administered and scored in a consistent manner. Any test in which the same test is given in the same form to all test takers is a standardized test. The term-standardized test is often heard along with high-stakes testing. Standardized tests are administered, scored, and interpreted in a consistent way, so that the results of large groups of students can be compared. This type of test allows teachers and administrators to see why a child might be struggling or succeeding on specific elements of their grade-level standards. The results that come back from these standardized tests help inform the next step in learning for our students. There are many pros and cons that go along with standardized tests as well as ways that it can affect both the teacher and the students in the classroom.