End Standardized tests

Schaff, P.
Comp. I
24 Mar. 2014

End to Standardized Testing

Standardized testing was originally created to measure students’ performance and progress. In recent years, the public school system has relied heavily on the information this test provides, in doing so creating controversy. The debate over standardized testing has raised an inquiry question: What are the effects of standardized testing on the United States public education system? Students are taught only to pass tests, Standardized tests are not a true indicator of knowledge, and there are several missed opportunities for one on one teaching. Testing of America’s students using standardized questions are only taught to pass to tests being measured, there is no emphasis on basic education. In simply teaching the information on the tests, students miss out on real information they will need in the future; college and the real life will not need them to know generic testing information. Although proponents have stated that standardized testing supports consistency in the class room, as teachers need to follow a set curriculum to ensure students are

educated on the specific test subjects that are measured, this only perpetuates the focus on teaching to pass the Standardized tests. Critics of the NAEP state that this type of testing is not a true indicator on the progress of students. Too be able to measure this progress over time, testing at an individual level is required. Critics argue that standardized testing does not help teachers, if teachers are not careful there is potential to bypass critical learning in favor of teaching with the goal to ensure the students have the knowledge required to pass the specific questions, and subjects the NAEP measures. The three types of testing are currently administered by using separate examinations, sampling of students, and data collection methods. The main national testing measures nationwide achievement, taking into consideration current trends, and education practices. Long term assessments do not change as the main national testing does as the purpose is to document trends spanning 30 years. States will identify a sampling of 2,500 students per grade to conduct the testing. All of the testing is federally funded, however the states are responsible for the extra cost associated with training the educators. Although this method measures progress and trends, there continues to be a focus on only passing the tests not on academic achievement and progression into college level preparation. Only being emphasis on testing and teaching to pass the tests, students will not be taught using real world information. The National Center for Education Statistics produced a study in 1999 called “Trends in Academic Progress, Three Decades of Student Performance”. As interest in the education of America’s children continued, the 1970’s and 1980’s was an era of back to basics. The 1990’s focused on an increased emphasis on higher standards of achievements. In 1999 the final review and results were produced for the 20th century, reviewing 9, 13, and 17 year olds in reading, mathematics, and science. Improvement was shown across all age groups and assessment years for mathematics and science. The review of white versus black students showed the gap narrowed, except for the age group of 13 year olds that showed there was a decrease in mathematics scores for black students. The study shows that science scores were higher for white students on average than the black or Hispanic students, however this could not be categorized as significant. Parental education, school and home experiences were also taken into consideration in this study. Supporters of the NAEP and its strategy share that there is a great deal to be gained by the ability to measure progress over time, that without this testing the history to show this progress would not be readily available. Taking into consideration the NAEP was established to review and monitor the progress of the American education system over a period of time, we have seen success. We can see, based on the “Nations Report Card” and independent review the progress can be documented in a consistent method across time and can be used to adjust the education system as necessary. Although, the Standardized tests have shown results, and have proven there are trends and progress to be shown, it still stands the students miss out on individual testing and learning.