Standardized Tests Strengths And Weaknesses

Although there are few benefits of standardized tests, it does offer important data. One benefit is how it measures students’ and teachers’ strengths and weaknesses. Standardized tests are given out to measure teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom and a student’s success. The results are then compared amongst others who took the same test. If a student got a higher or lower score than the “standard” score on the test, then that is considered his or her strength or weakness. A teacher can then make an adjustment to the curriculum, that would focus on the student’s weaknesses. If every student is having the same issue in the same subject area, then that shows the teacher that he or she needs to reevaluate and make an adjustment to the lesson plan (Aycock). For those who like standardized tests, these assessments are more than just tests. President Obama says that “In moderation, smart, strategic tests can help us measure our kids’ progress in school, and it can help them learn,” (Layton). The most important reason standardized tests are
First, standardized tests put too much pressure on both students and teachers. The number of standardized tests that students are required to pass has exploded recently. Per a new study the Council of the Great City Schools found that “A typical student takes 112 mandated standardized tests between pre-kindergarten classes and 12th grade.” (Layton). Children as young has 10 years old feel pressure to pass their exams because they know that it’s a factor in admission to middle school (Wallace.) These tests are taking the joy out of teaching and learning. That is requiring teachers to spend too much time preparing their students for the tests rather than teaching. In fact, Alberto Carvalho Miami Dade-County Super-Intendent said that he believes that standardized tests are “abusive of both teacher and student time.”