Standardized Testing Individuality

As the fourth quarter of the school year begins, it often brings with it a host of standardized tests, and teachers and students alike groan at the thought. The English geeks shudder at having to take math tests, and the math nerds shudder at having to write essays. “Looking at standardized testing from the outside, it’s easy to find theoretical reasons for it, but not enough hard data to justify its importance.” (Walker). While test scores have improved in recent years, American standardized testing does not value the individuality of students, because testing suppresses diversity and imagination, testing standards are meaningless, and they do not prepare students for real life. First, testing does not value student individuality because