Arguments Against Standardized Testing

Standardized testing is one of the most passionately debated educational topics in America. As a student within American school system, thoughts of my own are formulated on such topics. Standardized testing is a debate on whether or not they are useful in improving instruction and performance. While some believe that standardized test such as EOG (End of Grade), SAT, or ACT are great ways to strengthen a student’s instruction and performance, I. myself have to disagree for many reasons. As a student who has taken an ACT and many EOG’s, I believe that standardized test are not the best source of evidence when dealing with growth in education. I, for example, am one of many who would classify ourselves as brilliant thinkers, but poor test takers. Not only are poor test takers at a disadvantage, they are forced to take a long, and pressured test which does not prove their learnings of the year. Taking a standardized test should not determine whether or not a student would earn their diploma. Not only do standardize test determine whether or not someone may graduate, they may also determine whether someone would be accepted to a college. Even though some colleges look at grades throughout your high school
life, most colleges mainly focus on your ACT and SAT scores. Standardized testing can not improve instruction or performance when a test may not me be the best way for students to prove what they truly know. Not only does testing unfairly rate a student, it may also cause stress and bad nerves. As a student, knowing that a test can influence one's future, it can possibly impact the way they perform on the test. Bad nerves and stress can also alter the confidence of those taking a test, causing them to doubt themselves and not rely on what they know and instead on what they “think” is correct. As a student who has stressed and has had bad nerves, I believe that testing should be optional. Understanding that others, such as teachers, agree with standardized testing, it is possible to comprehend their reasoning.
Mella Baxter, a reading teacher from Florida, believes that test have a positive influence on instruction and performance because standardized test around the states help ensure consistency throughout time of child education, She also believes that it allows teachers to know what to teach their students. Even though this is true, students, as said before, may not perform their strongest work if they are a bad tester. Standardized testing is simply unfair to students and should be made optional. As for colleges and future teachers, looking at the yearly grades and the consistency of those grades explain the students intelligence and
efforts.
As of now, standardized testing is one of the many passionately debated educational topics in America and will probably always be. Even though some believe that standardized tests such as EOG (End of Grade), SAT, or ACT are great ways to strengthen a student’s instruction and performance, somethings can never truly be proven. Until this debate is properly proven, I would have to disagree and say give power to the students. After all, students of today’s generation will be the power of the next generation.