The Usefulness of Standardized Tests
The Usefulness of Standardized Tests
When one is employed at a school, and starts noticing loads of confidential boxes being delivered, “Smarties” candies and “Smart Pencils” being distributed to students, and last but not least; witnessing that the stress of the school is rising…You know it’s testing time. This all happens at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Many tests take 1 to 2 days when others, have a duration of 2-3 weeks. As an employee of an elementary school, I have had many years of preparation and participation of such events. All employees must sign affidavits before administration of tests occur, and all materials are delivered and picked up on a scheduled timeframe. “Standardized Tests are a type of exam that assess the student’s capability on the basis of multiple choice questions (MCQ’s).” (Pandey) There are many issues (pros and cons) associated with these exams. In this assignment, I will point out a few pressing issues in retrospect to website articles and personal experiences being an administrator of such tests.
Let’s begin with focusing on the fact that we are the United States of America. The US Department of Education has always had standardized tests. But they have been more so enforced since the Bush Administration in 2001. In 2001, President George W. Bush’s’ Administration passed a very important bill, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, (or NCLB). “NCLB is the latest federal legislation that enacts the theories of standardized - based education reform. Which is based on belief that setting high standards and establishing measurable goals can improve individual outcomes in education. “ (Wikipedia) The NCLB Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools. The act does not assert a national achievement , but goals are set by each state. “However, NCLB has a required, supposed
When one is employed at a school, and starts noticing loads of confidential boxes being delivered, “Smarties” candies and “Smart Pencils” being distributed to students, and last but not least; witnessing that the stress of the school is rising…You know it’s testing time. This all happens at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Many tests take 1 to 2 days when others, have a duration of 2-3 weeks. As an employee of an elementary school, I have had many years of preparation and participation of such events. All employees must sign affidavits before administration of tests occur, and all materials are delivered and picked up on a scheduled timeframe. “Standardized Tests are a type of exam that assess the student’s capability on the basis of multiple choice questions (MCQ’s).” (Pandey) There are many issues (pros and cons) associated with these exams. In this assignment, I will point out a few pressing issues in retrospect to website articles and personal experiences being an administrator of such tests.
Let’s begin with focusing on the fact that we are the United States of America. The US Department of Education has always had standardized tests. But they have been more so enforced since the Bush Administration in 2001. In 2001, President George W. Bush’s’ Administration passed a very important bill, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, (or NCLB). “NCLB is the latest federal legislation that enacts the theories of standardized - based education reform. Which is based on belief that setting high standards and establishing measurable goals can improve individual outcomes in education. “ (Wikipedia) The NCLB Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools. The act does not assert a national achievement , but goals are set by each state. “However, NCLB has a required, supposed
Cited: Abel, Katy. “The Standardized Testing Debate”. Family Education. Web. 23 March 2010.