standardized testing
One of the most controversial topics in education is the concept of standardized testing. Standardized testing has been around a long time and is used in many other ways besides in schools. Standardized testing can be used when getting a drivers license, or even to get a job. It first came about in 1917, when it was used as a mean of assessing militant recruits. During this time it was able to test young men quickly and enter them into the military based on their level of intelligence. Standardized testing was important in testing the objectives quickly, efficiently and in a cheap way. (Kaplan, Owings; 148)
There are many reasons why standardized testing is used and why it makes the schools life just a little bit easier. Schools can administer tests quickly because all tests have the same directions. The validity of the tests is what makes them so appealing to schools. They are easy to grade and when there is a large number of students taking the test it becomes more trouble free. It will result in more efficient results. Standardized testing also releases scores that compare to the “average” student. It is easier to compare results within the same grade level in all parts of the United States (Kaplan, Owings; 148). Some teachers also believe that standardized tests are a good idea because it can help educators figure out what they are doing right and wrong. They can alter their curriculum better so the teachers can spend more time on something that a lot of the students do not understand. Standardized tests also show the weaknesses in schools and the administration can then have teachers adjust and make better their methods (Sadker, Zittleman; 347).
Critics believe that standardized testing is actually not an efficient way to grade student’s knowledge. Also that teachers will teach too much to the test and students won’t have an effective learning experience. Teachers often feel like they are just doing drills and repetitive work with the
There are many reasons why standardized testing is used and why it makes the schools life just a little bit easier. Schools can administer tests quickly because all tests have the same directions. The validity of the tests is what makes them so appealing to schools. They are easy to grade and when there is a large number of students taking the test it becomes more trouble free. It will result in more efficient results. Standardized testing also releases scores that compare to the “average” student. It is easier to compare results within the same grade level in all parts of the United States (Kaplan, Owings; 148). Some teachers also believe that standardized tests are a good idea because it can help educators figure out what they are doing right and wrong. They can alter their curriculum better so the teachers can spend more time on something that a lot of the students do not understand. Standardized tests also show the weaknesses in schools and the administration can then have teachers adjust and make better their methods (Sadker, Zittleman; 347).
Critics believe that standardized testing is actually not an efficient way to grade student’s knowledge. Also that teachers will teach too much to the test and students won’t have an effective learning experience. Teachers often feel like they are just doing drills and repetitive work with the