Standardized Testing In Higher Education
Imagine a world where students are replacing their opportunity to prepare for college and think for themselves with cram sessions for state standardized tests. In the United States, this is an everyday problem. Unfortunately, educators keep ignoring the warning signs that show that something needs to change. State standardized tests are state issued tests that measure a student's ability to recall and apply knowledge. America has recently placed extra emphasis on these tests, and by doing that, the quality of education has declined. Students are finding themselves more and more unprepared for a higher education or the work force. Although educators think that state standardized tests improve education, they instead decrease the quality of education.
…show more content…
The education system is trading students’ age-appropriate thinking and learning for standardized test-taking. It is imperative for students who want to attend college since they are missing out on crucial knowledge or problem-solving skills. “This failure to require higher-level thinking is part of the reason our students are not prepared for college” (Vatterott 36). Not only are they not prepared for college, they aren’t prepared for the workforce either. The workforce requires crucial problem-solving skills and communication skills just like colleges do. “Unless state standards change, most students will graduate from high school unprepared for the workforce” (Test Preparation Does Not). Not only will graduating students have trouble getting a better job to support themselves while they go into crippling debt, but the generations after them will continue to struggle. Some teachers’ salaries are based upon the scores of their students on the SAT, ACT, and other standardized tests. This is not only unfair for both the teachers and students, but it affects the quality of the education. Instead of teaching things that go with the curriculum, they cut most of it out to try and incorporate more test-taking strategies and the such. “...in this highly charged climate of data-driven accountability, teacher effectiveness and compensation are increasingly being tied to student scores on standardized tests” (Froese-Germain). Because of this, some students are being left behind and not getting the proper education or help they deserve because teachers are too scared of not meeting ends due with their
The education system is trading students’ age-appropriate thinking and learning for standardized test-taking. It is imperative for students who want to attend college since they are missing out on crucial knowledge or problem-solving skills. “This failure to require higher-level thinking is part of the reason our students are not prepared for college” (Vatterott 36). Not only are they not prepared for college, they aren’t prepared for the workforce either. The workforce requires crucial problem-solving skills and communication skills just like colleges do. “Unless state standards change, most students will graduate from high school unprepared for the workforce” (Test Preparation Does Not). Not only will graduating students have trouble getting a better job to support themselves while they go into crippling debt, but the generations after them will continue to struggle. Some teachers’ salaries are based upon the scores of their students on the SAT, ACT, and other standardized tests. This is not only unfair for both the teachers and students, but it affects the quality of the education. Instead of teaching things that go with the curriculum, they cut most of it out to try and incorporate more test-taking strategies and the such. “...in this highly charged climate of data-driven accountability, teacher effectiveness and compensation are increasingly being tied to student scores on standardized tests” (Froese-Germain). Because of this, some students are being left behind and not getting the proper education or help they deserve because teachers are too scared of not meeting ends due with their