Why Is Standardized Testing Wrong
The No Child Left Behind Act has seen the spread of standardized testing and used for the wrong purposes. Schools have been pushed schools to use the standardized tests so learning, teacher and school quality can be measured and also determine sanctions based on scores. Not only are sanctions given, but also decide whether the student should go through school. The scores of children dictate if they should go to the next grade, stay in the same grade, or graduate. School systems use the tests as a way to have control on what is taught and how it is taught. Many experts believe that using tests to take educational decisions based on the factors stated above are not fair. A study done by National Research Council stated that testing did not increase
learning, but caused a decrease. The consequences of misusing tests included making students leave school, teachers leaving their jobs, and less interaction between students and the school environment. In 25 states, high school graduation tests have been used to penalize low income students, disabled, and new English speakers. Taking tests to track the learning of students hurt children who take time to understand, yet, the tests do not help the quick learning students. There is a speculation that the low scores students have to be put into lower level of classes rather than being motivated to do better. The low score students are held back which causes students to do poor in academics and low self-esteem. Majority of students that are affected by the tests are low income, disabled, and new English speakers. They are known to not receive a diploma and be put into a “dumb-down” curriculum. Teachers are involved in the process of student learning and they cannot be judged on how students perform because different factors come into play. Since teachers are graded if students perform well on tests, then it could lead great teachers away from becoming teachers or principals. Standardize tests are only a little part of evaluating a student. Children behaviors, improvement, and effort should also coexist with the tests. Students should not have to face the pressure of doing better so their school earns high ranking. Standardize tests are used for the purpose, so the school can be evaluated and given low rates because the students did not perform well on the test. Since majority of students that are targeted are low incomes, disabled, or first time English speakers, it leads them to stop their education because they do not have the encouragement to do better. They are placed in low level classes because they do not fit in the range of required scores.
learning, but caused a decrease. The consequences of misusing tests included making students leave school, teachers leaving their jobs, and less interaction between students and the school environment. In 25 states, high school graduation tests have been used to penalize low income students, disabled, and new English speakers. Taking tests to track the learning of students hurt children who take time to understand, yet, the tests do not help the quick learning students. There is a speculation that the low scores students have to be put into lower level of classes rather than being motivated to do better. The low score students are held back which causes students to do poor in academics and low self-esteem. Majority of students that are affected by the tests are low income, disabled, and new English speakers. They are known to not receive a diploma and be put into a “dumb-down” curriculum. Teachers are involved in the process of student learning and they cannot be judged on how students perform because different factors come into play. Since teachers are graded if students perform well on tests, then it could lead great teachers away from becoming teachers or principals. Standardize tests are only a little part of evaluating a student. Children behaviors, improvement, and effort should also coexist with the tests. Students should not have to face the pressure of doing better so their school earns high ranking. Standardize tests are used for the purpose, so the school can be evaluated and given low rates because the students did not perform well on the test. Since majority of students that are targeted are low incomes, disabled, or first time English speakers, it leads them to stop their education because they do not have the encouragement to do better. They are placed in low level classes because they do not fit in the range of required scores.