Standardized Tests Essay

education reform in the United States. They resulted in stricter standards for teaching certification, changes in standardized testing, and a raise in teachers salaries especially in the South. President Bush passed the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002 to also try to boost education performance especially for racial minorities and urban centers. NCLB required schools to give mandatory tests to determine student aptitude in core subject courses. Schools are rated according to the Adequate Yearly Progress

implementation of foreign language classes in early education is more beneficial than learning a second language as an adult and increases the understanding of nearby culture. In addition, learning a foreign language as a young child produce higher test scores years later, increases cognitive mental development, and creates a marketable, knowledgeable individual in the workforce. Foreign language instruction should begin in elementary school and continue through high school. It is proven that the

other subgroups on the DC-CAS standardized tests were equivalent to an additional five months of schooling. These improvements were attributed to money incentives that the school offered (Turque). This evidence shows that in Washington D.C hispanics increased their standardized test scores to a proportion that is equal to another full academic year of learning all because of cash incentives. Additionally, the article states, “the group that achieved the biggest test score gains was students who had

Introduction Two scholarly articles were analyzed and synthesized to facilitate this writer with an understanding of authentic assessment. Scenarios and examples were provided as evidence on the impact and importance of authentic assessment in a natural environment (caregiver, home or school). Both articles revealed the authors’ purpose and perspective that authentic assessment provides a representation of students’ strengths and weakness along with opportunities for them to associate and link

The Problem Between the years 2000 and 2005, the number of children living in poverty is reported to have increased by over 11 percent (Fass, 2006). This is based on the national poverty guidelines which supposedly offer an annual income that a household must make less than to be considered “living in poverty”. However, for a household to be able to afford necessities such as food and adequate shelter, they would have to have access to funds equal to twice the amount of their considered “poverty

states use a state-wide testing system. The state-wide systems use standardized tests. All tests consist of the same exact set of questions and are scored the same way. The testing system is used to measure academic achievements. In addition to the state-wide tests, educators use classroom evaluations, tests, quizzes, mid-terms, homework and final exams to further evaluate the students’ progress within the class. The state-wide test results allow the educators to modify their teaching to increase their

is falling behind in education compared to other countries. The illiteracy rate is high, and the graduation rates for inner city children are low. The causes of this crisis are everyday problems such as lack of interest in school, poverty, and standardized testing. There are many solutions to the problem, but one solution, Professional Learning

free twelve year education, there are strings attached. Standardized tests are not taken without preparation. It requires practice tests, study guides, tutors, and countless hours of time. The problem for poor students is that they may not be able to afford any practice. One might ask how they prepare? They do not. The Christian Science Monitor talks about how money plays a crucial role when it comes to the SAT by saying, “Expensive test-prep courses may give affluent students a marginal advantage…”

America’s school system and student population remains segregated, by race and class. The inequalities that exist in schools today result from more than just poorly managed schools; they reflect the racial and socioeconomic inequities of society as a whole. Most of the problems of schools boil down to either racism in and outside the school or financial disparity between wealthy and poor school districts. Because schools receive funding through local property taxes, low-income communities start at

dramatist Sophocles said, “I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.” Cheating is acting in an unfair manner to gain an advantage over others. Cheating can take place in multiple situations, such as in sports, relationships, and on tests. In today’s society cheating is frowned upon, but is overlooked in different situations. According to a study by conducted nocheating.org “80% of the country's best students cheated to get to the top of their class.” It is human nature to want to gain