Standardized Testing Strengths

Portfolios are useful tool for identifying the strengths and weaknesses, whereas the current standardized tests are provides limited feedback. While the standardized tests are, by design, suitable for punishing or rewarding purpose, the portfolio approach provides insights necessary to improve teaching-learning environment thus, serves as a learning tool. Using standardized tests as the evaluation technique for identifying educational gaps in schools with different economical and social background is also deemed appropriate by stakeholders. In a survey by Public Agenda, only 44% of the superintendents and 42% of the principals surveyed believe NCLB will raise academic standard About 70% of the teachers think that the students are required
It is build upon the assumption that “our public schools are in crisis, and that the best way to improve them is by using standardized tests (up to now only in reading and math) to rate student achievement and teacher effectiveness” (Rose 20). Since the test scores are tied to the federal funding, the high stake tests have altered the focus of the teaching activities towards the preparation for the tests. It increased the teaching focus on math, science, and reading, but reduced the time spent on history, geography, and art etc. Even in math and reading, the topics that didn't directly relate to the tests were also eliminated. The objective way of evaluating whether the students have learned material taught in class using multiple-choice questions or true/false tests also has led to some unexpected problems. For example the current standardized tests are known for the unproductive teaching-for-test approach, reduced creativity and innovation, stress and anxiety among students and teachers (Holmes; Jorgenson). On the other hand, portfolio-based assessments allow students a more creative way to showcase their experiences and academic progress. In a typical portfolio assessment, students verbally present their work and argue persuasively what they have learned in a unit or subject. It evaluates the performance in real-life scenarios unlike the standardized test that is more likely to evaluate the memory rather than the understanding. In addition to the long-term evaluation, portfolio-based approach let the students and teachers to be creative and enjoy the teaching-learning process. The method allows the evaluator to analyze weakness and strength of the students and focus the resource on specific areas. Due to these advantages, we suggest the government to modify it policy to incorporate