Standardized Testing
By Taylor Vernon
Embedded Files
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Identify the definition of standardized testing
Describe the pros of testing
Establish the cons of testing
Standardized tests comprise a very important role in a child's education. Many children will take at least one standardized test every year, which means many teachers will spend significant class time on test preparation. The results can reflect the teachers' efforts as well as that of the the students. In some states, standardized tests are the yardstick for determining whether a child gets to progress to the next grade level.
Standardized tests comprise a very important role in a child's education. Many children will take at least one standardized test every year, which means many teachers will spend significant class time on test preparation. The results can reflect the teachers' efforts as well as that of the the students. In some states, standardized tests are the yardstick for determining whether a child gets to progress to the next grade level.
What Is Standardized Testing?
What Is Standardized Testing?
A standardized test is one that is administered to students in a way that is highly consistent, meaning that all of the questions are the same, each student gets the same amount of time, and the scoring is done the same way for everyone.
Children start taking standardized examinations in elementary school, commonly referred to as primary school, in the country (Starr, 2020).
Students will need to decide if they will have to take the SAT or ACT, which are standardized examinations used to gauge students' intellectual preparedness for higher education, while they are in high school and contemplating entering college or university.
Graduate students who have earned a bachelor's degree and are thinking about continuing their education will almost certainly need to take additional standardized exams. The GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT are the four most popular standardized exams for graduate school (Scogin, 2017).
Pros of Testing
Pros of Testing
Preserves teacher accountability
Test results can also be used by school officials to determine whether instructors require more training.
More teacher training may be required if certain classrooms are performing below state requirements (Edadvanced, n.d.).
Establishes a benchmark for comparing student performance across districts
Standardized assessment examinations are intended to both assess data and do quantitative analysis on that data. This makes it possible for schools to compare the performance of their children to that of the representative sample used in the standardized process using the final published evaluations
Supports educators in shaping their curricula
Teachers may use a student's standardized test results to guide instruction on how to fill up knowledge gaps in a specific area.
Cons of Testing
Cons of Testing
Too much pressure
Many teachers suffer trying to focus their attention on the tests rather than what's best for their students
These tests put uneccessary restraint and stress on teachers and their curricula
Poor job of effectively evaluating a student's skills in other vital areas
For example, critical thinking or creative problem-solving
It divides each student into distinct academic sub-categories like math or writing rather than considering them as a whole person.
Only reveals a student's inadequacies, not their strengths
This assessment disregards a student's strengths due to its constrained evaluation parameters (Edadvanced, n.d.)
Conclusion
Conclusion
Standardized testing is clearly not going anywhere any time soon. Both supporters and detractors agree that the examinations have at least some usefulness as a broad indicator of assessment for students, instructors, and schools (Scogin, 2017). The challenge appears to be striking a balance between allowing for alternative evaluation techniques and appropriate applications for test results (Minjong, 2018). Although incomprehensive, standardized testing is a useful tool. It can provide valuable context when paired with data from other sources. A healthy balance appears to be the end objective for those who have the wellbeing of students in mind.
References
References
Edadvanced. (n.d.). Education Advanced, inc.. Retrieved January 28, 2023, From https://educationadvanced.com/resources/blog/standardized-tests-the-benefits-and-impacts-of-implementing-standardized/.
Minjong Youn. (2018). The influence of standardized testing pressure on teachers’ working environment. KEDI Journal of Educational Policy, 15(2), 3–22.
Scogin, S. C., Kruger, C. J., Jekkals, R. E., & Steinfeldt, C. (2017). Learning by Experience in a Standardized Testing Culture: Investigation of a Middle School Experiential Learning Program. Journal of Experiential Education, 40(1), 39–57. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.odu.edu/10.1177/1053825916685737.
Starr, J. P. (2020). Standardized testing: Making the best of it. The Phi Delta Kappan, 101(6), 61–62. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26977080.
Quiz Time!
Quiz Time!
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of standardized testing?
A. Establishes a benchmark for comparing student performance across districts
B. Supports educators in shaping their curricula
C. Too much pressure on students and teachers
D. Preserves teacher accountability
Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of standardized testing?
A. Only reveals a student's inadequacies, not their strengths
B. Supports educators in shaping their curricula
C. Too much pressure on students and teachers
D. Poor job of effectively evaluating a student's skills in other vital areas
Answers:
Answers:
C
B
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