Standardized Testing Damages Education Essay - 694 Words

Intro The purpose of standardized testing is to help guide the teachers teach students the basics of what they need to know in order to move ahead in school. These tests are standard for core classes in any grade but differ from state to state. For Virginia it’s SOLs (standards of learning) in Arizona it’s AIMS (Arizona’s instrument to measure standards), although the name differs the purpose it the same in all states. These tests are to measure how much the students have learned throughout the year. To help improve the results from these tests, the no child left behind act was created in 2001. The bill does this by making the states and schools more accountable for the student’s progression. It improves the academic achievements for†¦show more content†¦Dropout rates increase due to testing In studies, dropout rates are related with failing standardized tests â€Å"high-stake testing does indeed increase dropout rates† Shriberg, Fall 2006, Disse nt Vol.53, No.4. These high-stake tests have been affecting dropout rates since 1986 and earlier. â€Å"States dropout rates in 1986 were highly correlated with minimum competency testing† Shirberg, Fall 2006, Dissent Vol.53, No.4. These high-stake testing dropout rates include mostly high school students â€Å"results show that in schools with proportionately more students of low socioeconomic status that used high stake minimum competency exams, early dropout rates- between the eighth and tenth grades- were 4 to 6 percentage points higher than in schools that were similar but for the high stake test requirements† Shriberg, Fall 2006, Dissent Vol.53, No.4. Standardized testing AKA â€Å"high-stake testing† does not encourage students, mostly in high schools to â€Å"stay on course and head towards the end†. Standardized testing does not benefit passing students. Exit exams which consist of standardized tests is a lose, lose situation even when some students pass them â€Å"exit exams hurt students who fail them without benefiting students who pass them†. Robert and Grodsky, May 2009, Phi Delta Kappan Vol.90. Many qualified students that deserve a diploma are denied of the opportunity to get oneâ€Å"indirect costs of denying diplomas to thousands of otherwiseShow MoreRelated Problems With Standardized Testing Essay1454 Words   |  6 PagesIn Standardized Testing and Its Victims, an article written for Education Week, Alfie Kohn states: Standardized testing has swelled and mutated, like a creature in one of those old horror movies, to the point that it now threatens to swallow our schools whole.... Our children are tested to an extent that is unprecedented in our history and unparalleled anywhere else in the world. While previous generations of American students have had to sit through tests, never have the tests been given so frequentlyRead MoreStandardized Testing Essay examples1573 Words   |  7 PagesStandardized Testing Every year thousands upon thousands of children, ages seven and upwards sit down to take their scheduled standardized tests. This generation has been classified as the most tested in history. Its progress through childhood and adolescence has been punctuated by targets, key stages, attainment levels, and qualifications (Stalin in School 8). Each year the government devises a new standard and then finds a way to test how each student measures up to this standard. TheyRead More Standardized Testing Essay example1558 Words   |  7 PagesStandardized Testing Every year thousands upon thousands of children, ages seven and upwards sit down to take their scheduled standardized tests. This generation has been classified as the most tested in history. Its progress through childhood and adolescence has been punctuated by targets, key stages, attainment levels, and qualifications (Stalin in School 8). Each year the government devises a new standard and then finds a way to test how each student measures up to this standard. TheyRead MoreFederal Regulation Over National Curriculum And Testing Essay1727 Words   |  7 PagesThe education system in the United States could definitely use some serious changes. As of now, what we are doing is not producing the results it should and it would seem that it is time for a change. But the last thing this change should be is a federal regulation over national curriculum and testing, if anything, that would increase the current problem. There are numerous issues with the current education system to be addres sed. One of the main focuses will be on its lack of concerns for students’Read MoreAmerican Schools: Should Be More Equitable for Students of Lower Classes and Minority Races1364 Words   |  6 Pagesethnicity, and gender issues. Although the gender differences in classrooms do have some affects on the quality of American education, they are not the main reasons why American schools are in danger. The most serious problems in American educational system are the barriers that students from both lower classes and minority races are facing. In K-12 schools, standardized testing seems to be the one issue that creates problems. In terms of enrolling into college, the financing is the most common reasonRead MoreThe Importance Of Standardized Testing In Education1140 Words   |  5 PagesThe standardized test has become the staple of the United States K12 education system. Students at all levels are routinely tested, and schools evaluated based on the scores. It’s easy to l ook at this as a necessary part of the system, a needed way of assessing both school and individual student performance to ensure quality across all schools. These tests are regarded as a tried-and true way of doing this, when in reality they are neither old nor accurate in assessment. I move in this essay thatRead MoreStandardized Testing: Does It Really Tell Academic Performance?638 Words   |  3 PagesStandardized testing is any test that remains the same and is given in the same manner to all test takers. Standardized testing began in China as a part of job applications. They became more frequently used in the early 1900’s to determine an individual’s intelligence. The army used these tests to determine if soldiers were officer material. In 2000, Finland had the highest PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) scores in the world. Finland uses very little standardized testing comparedRead MoreThe Nonconstructive Nature of Standardized Testing Essay74 0 Words   |  3 PagesStandardized testing? Those two words are being heard by students all over the world and is beginning to be a repetitive non constructive assessment. This nonconstructive assessment has become relied upon by the school board to somehow grade the students accurately on a subject that is taught in a small window of time. This is a window that is a two week period and doesnt give teachers nor students enough time to learn or teach it. This is detrimental to the student body by not allowing a themRead MoreAre Standardized Exams Sufficient as a Test of Knowledge?1186 Words   |  5 PagesEducation is an important concept of a human’s life. The system of education teaches us from a young age how to read, write, and be able to get through a lot of every-day activities. Without education, people would face obstacles in participating fully in society (Ackley). Education is something that once learned cannot be taken away. Since primary school children are tho ught different materials and activities to be able to advance to the next grade level. How a school goes about teaching theseRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Standardized Testing871 Words   |  4 PagesThe Negative Effects of Standardized Testing The purpose of the No Child Left Behind Act is designed to close the achievement gap between high/low performing children and improve/strengthen accountability amongst schools (Department of Education). As a result, the Department of Education has implemented a sanctions and rewards system, stipulated in the No Child Left behind Act. If schools do not perform according to the act, funding will be withdrawn, teachers and administrators could get laid off