Standardized Testing Pros And Cons Essay

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) was a turning point in the American education system. The law focuses on providing every child regardless of their ethnicity, income or background the best education that will lead them to a better future. It is without a question a step in the right direction as the children of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. To make certain that schools and educators are providing the best education in every school, standardized testing was introduced to serve as a method of assessment.
Many critics however see standardized testing as a tool that causes more harm than good. Their reasoning is that educators are focus on teaching what will be on the test rather than on material that will enhance critical thinking and life skills. The subjects and method of learning in classrooms has drastically changed in the last 20 years. Many will say the changes are necessary to keep up with technology yet the focus is not on comprehensive learning. In 1965, President Lyndon B Johnson introduced the Elementary and Secondary education Act (ESEA) with the purpose to develop education in low-income communities. The law was to provide additional funding to high risk schools. Funding became available to schools and communities to
These included sampling, stealth assessment, multiple measures, and inspections. Sampling, selecting diverse group of students to take the standardized test, would allow to have same information that is gather now a days just with a smaller pool of students. Stealth assessment, gathering information throughout the year, would give a better understanding how the children are learning and improving each day. Multiple measures, allows to have students be assess by different skills and performance. Inspections, performing evaluation onsite to see students and teachers interactions in class as well as class work. (Kamanetz,