Percentile Biases

The administrator must be an individual who has had proper training in administering and interpreting norm-referenced educational and psychological tests; however, it is not required the individuals has a Doctoral degree (Pearson, 2009b). Materials needed to administer, score, and interpret the test include: the stimulus book, record form, response booklet, word card, pseudoword card, audio CD, Oral Reading Fluency, CD player with speakers, stopwatch, blank scratch paper, pencils without erasers, and an optional audio recorder (Pearson, 2009a). The administration instructions are conveniently written in the Record Form, which increase the ease of administration. The instructions were thoroughly analyzed to minimize misinterpretations and misunderstandings that could lead to a lower score (Pearson,

Standardized tests can also be biased or unfair because questions on these tests necessitate understanding and abilities that typically children from advantaged families have (Kohn, A, 2000). Children who live in poorer communities have a

The fight to eliminate prejudice in both the German and American workplace has made great strides through decades of activism and legislation but, we can still witness or experience prejudice today. Prejudice can take on many forms whether it's built around race, sexual orientation, religion, culture, gender, or age. Castles and Kosack’s Prejudice, Race, and Class interpret three different principles of prejudice against immigrants: the cause, high rate among the working class, and the three distinct functions.

Standardized tests do not cover real-life topics. Standardized tests are less educational than parents think. States make schools take these tests in-order to get more funding and to see how the teachers are performing. These tests have many effects on the students and their grades. The Kansas Silent Reading Test is one of the first known multiple choice standardized test in America. This test was created to reduce “Time and Effort” in administration and scoring (Standardized). Although schools do use the standardized testing methods in the classrooms today that was not what it was originally used for. Standardized testing began in the United States during WWI because the Army needed a method to determine which soldiers were “Officer Material” (Billy 75).

Standardized tests are completely unfair. In The Washington Post, Marion Brady argues this issue. She states that students that do not speak English or have special needs take the same tests as every other student. Also, non English speakers are taking these tests without mastering the language first. Special needs students

There are many valid arguments, deeming it unfair to multiple parties. For example, those who speak a different language or have immigrated to the United States cannot easily be equipped to handle the standardized testing well known to our community, because they do not have enough time to master our language before being thrust into the testing realm. Special education students are also discriminated against, having to take the same standard of testing as their peers who do not have special needs. Standardized tests also don’t measure anything outside the scope of what is deemed meaningful education. “According to late education researcher Gerald W. Bracey, PhD, qualities that standardized tests cannot measure include "creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, curiosity, endurance, reliability, enthusiasm, empathy, self-awareness, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, sense of beauty, sense of wonder, honesty, integrity."” (ProConorg). There is also the argument that teachers are just “teaching the test” rather than instilling our young generation with predominant qualities needed to be successful in life. These tests, according to studies done, are narrowing the curriculum taught, and increasing the price on testing, making it difficult on our educational system’s budgets. Some believe that

In America, standardized testing started to show up during the Industrial Revolution when more and more children began attending school rather than working in factories or on family farms. Due to a “back to basics” movement during the 1970s, there was a big emphasis on “low-level functional skills and the proliferation of minimum-competency tests”(Marzano 9). However by the time we get to the 1990s, standardized tests began to be

“There is something deeply hypocritical in a society that holds an inner-city child only eight years old "accountable" for her performance on a high-stakes standardized exam but does not hold the high officials of our government accountable for robbing her of what they gave their own kids six or seven years before,” quote Jonathan Kozol. As this quote apptly states many children are often robbed of simple childhood pleasures by standardized testing. These strenuous tests should be cut back to the absolute minimum. Standardized tests should not be required because they provide unnecessary stress, are often inaccurate because of computer and human error, and some students, particularly minorities, are at a clear disadvantage.

Quote 1: “On a global basis, the question has to be “do assessments disadvantage students from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds?”

Ultimately, with specific reference to the ideology of civil rights sociologist W.E.B. DuBois, bias in standardized testing appears auspiciously addressed through a cultural reformulation of historically debasing race and gender stereotypes, the adoption of standardized testing alternatives, and the emendation of western-centric curriculums and culturally-loaded test

Many groups consider this exam beneficial to certain groups but oppress other diverse groups such as African Americans, Latino and Native Americans. Education will be taught differently depending on their location and their population. Afterall, schools hire what their budgets can afford. While some schools could afford to hire teachers, who may have a higher education, others are not as fortunate. This could have an impact and influence on skills that are taught such as test taking skills. Assessment such as the IQ test contribute to the minority groups and their education system. If the result is low, they will have a higher chance of oppression as a result of the school or district they attended affecting the cultural group(s)

The current uproar over standardized testing is being battled by cultural minorities who demand equality. “Cultural bias” refers to the idea that the differences between scores of racial and ethnic groups are caused by a bias towards the “American-born, English-speaking majority” of the US population. From the simple IQ test to the SAT, standardized testing has become an unfair predictor and artificial decision maker for this country’s minority, especially those newly immigrated. Economic and cultural biases leave for little opportunity for these examinees to perform well, partially because of the failure of the government to prepare and assimilate minority students.

In the beginning of the 20th century, French psychologist Alfred Binet developed an intelligence test to pilot student achievement. Since then, a plethora of tests of similar rigor have emerged throughout the world; however, when looking towards the United States, it is apparent that these tests are in favor. In the United States, standardized tests have been a part of student life for more than 50 years (Fletcher). The problem arises in the sense that these tests are now more pressure-packed and ubiquitous than ever. This can be linked to the fact that in the U.S., students are now taking more standardized tests than ever before.

Test administrators should understand and clarify why the test taker is being assessed,(American Educational Research, 2014). Additionally, they should also understand why certain tests, inventories, and diagnostic procedures are selected. As a student, in the process of achieving a Master 's degree in clinical psychology, it is essential to be aware of the reasons for certain tests, their reliability, and validity.

There comes a time when we all come across a specific test such as school tests, driving test, or even as simple as food tasting test. However, there is a difference between regular tests and testing’s when referring to psychological testing. There are several different psychological tests that many psychiatrists, psychologists, and school counselors use to determine certain abilities, however each of the tests are used for a specific purpose. It is vital for the individuals to contain high knowledge of the tests before applying it to others.