To test or not to test? In many states this is no longer the question as standardized tests have become the norm for holding schools, teachers, and students accountable for their learning. Now the real question becomes: Are mandatory standardized tests credible or completely unfair? We want to know what you think!
The History
For years standardized testing has caused controversy around the world with two sides divided over the benefits and harms of using one test to measure and compare all students. In fact, the idea of testing students stems all the way back to ancient Greece! Socrates tested his students through conversation. This concept of ‘testing’ made its way to imperial China, where government job applicants had to write essays and compose poetry as part of the application process. The invention of the printing press in Europe pioneered the evolution of written exams. By 1845, public education advocates in the United States were calling for standardized essay tests. Soon after, spelling, geography, and math tests became customary in schools across the country.
In 1957, testing took a new priority in America after the launch of Sputnik, the Soviet space satellite. The ‘space race’ increased pressures on schools to show improvement and demonstrate superiority over schools in other countries. During the decades that followed and continuing to today, the popularity of testing took off.
Today, a standardized test is a test that has one standard set of instructions, questions, testing conditions, and time allotted to answer questions. These tests are considered statistically significant to be used for comparison purposes. That means all test takers are compared to other test takers. The scores can be used to compare a student or groups of students to a larger group of students, local, state or national.
The Debate
When comparing test results across students, fairness becomes a big issue. Proponents of testing believe all students deserve to be exposed to quality teaching and given multiple opportunities to learn. They believe standardized tests will uncover schools and teachers that need to rethink teaching practices and instructional delivery. They believe these tests hold schools, teachers, and students accountable for the learning that occurs during the year.
Opponents of standardized testing point out the flaws in the reliability and validity of the test. They are concerned about the great discrepancies between schools that have access to multiple resources and those school districts that can barely maintain their buildings. Opponents are also concerned about the language gap that continues to grow between native English speakers and English language learners.
The battle of standardized testing will be a hot topic for years to come. Both sides have arguments to support their case. Students, teachers and schools need to demonstrate student learning and achievement. Does standardized testing fairly measure this growth?
What do you think? Vote above or use the link below to state your case in more detail on our discussion board.
Filed under: Learning Tips | Tagged: education, feedback, learning
Standardized testing, like the STAR, is unfair to students and teachers. These tests assess children using limited modalities and discriminate against visual, tactile, and auditory learners. One test does not reflect a child’s capabilities and talents. Further, these tests discriminate against second language speakers, students with learning disabilities, and put labels on children that stay with them throughout their schooling and beyond. Children should have the opportunity to be assessed using a variety of modalities, such as verbal, short written responses, end of unit projects, etc. As for teachers, testing pressure leads to cramming information into students, much of which is developmentally inappropriate for their age. There is little time for review, and teachers struggle to find the time to engage children in real learning experiences that involve exploration, collaboration, and inherently engaging. An over emphasis on standardized test preparation doesn’t teach children to become effective problem-solvers and thinkers.
Sorry about the boo boo in my previous response.
I wrote:
…and inherently engaging.
It should read:
…and are inherently engaging.