Essay On Standardized Testing

Standardized tests are defined by W. James Popham, former president of the American Educational Research Association, as "Any test that's administered, scored, and interpreted in a standard, predetermined manner." Standardized tests have been part of school systems since the 1800`s.(Standardized) Their use skyrocketed after 2002's No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandated annual testing in all 50 states. Standardized testing confuses some students and the amount of testing can stress them out, leaving them to get bad grades on them denying them certain things like scholarships and grants or even the ability to move up a grade level. Standardized testing should not represent the students of America competence.
Most standardized tests are multiple
Standardized test can help teachers know what has to be taught for the test and can help them to educate their students. Standardized tests provide data to aid teachers when planning teaching strategies. However, this can lead to what is called teaching to the test. This is where teachers only stress the stuff on the tests and they do not teach some of the things that the student will need further down the road.(ASCD) This can make the class more boring and decrease the value of learning. Students will not want to come to a class where all they do is work on papers or quizzes preparing them for their standardized tests later in the year.
Standardized test are over testing students. Students standardized test scores should not represent a student's competence. Students can have many problems when taking a test or many distractions. There can be many external factors when a student's takes a test. They could have had a fight early the day with their parents or they could have had something emotionally happen to them lately taking their focus of the test. However, their are some good sides to the test but their are a lot of bad sides and problems that can affect the student's competence. Standardized tests should not represent a students