Preview

Standardized Testing

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1279 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Standardized Testing
Synthesis Essay on Standardized Testing Standardized testing in the United States started in the mid- 1800’s (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org). This kind of testing was originally created to measure students’ performance and progress in school (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org). In recent years, the public school system has relied heavily on the information this test provides, in doing so creating controversy. Other than being a student myself, and participating in multiple standardized exams such as, CSAP, ACT, and SAT, I do not have much background knowledge on this debate. The debate over standardized testing has raised this inquiry question: What are the effects of standardized testing on the United States public education system? I believe that the effects that standardized testing has on the US public education system is good and bad. Within these articles if found common themes, including elements of objectivity and subjectivity, a rise in cheating, and measurement of student success. The different articles I used for my research were: “Why It’s Time to Get Rid of Standardized Tests”, by Noliwe M. Rooks, an associated professor at Cornell University, from Time Magazine, published on October 11, 2012 by The Time, Inc. The thesis of this article is “Standardized achievement tests unfairly advantage white and Asian students and disadvantage the rest” (Time, Ideas). The second article used was, “Is the Use of Standardized Test improving Education in America?” by ProCon.org, updated on October 15, 2013, published by Procon.org. The thesis of this article is, people who believe that standardized tests are good for the US believe that the tests are fair and objective. On the other hand, people who believe that standardized tests are not beneficial for the US believe that tests are not fair or objective. The third article I researched was “Do Standardized Tests Show an Accurate View of Student’s Abilities?”, by Concordia University in Oregon. The thesis of


Cited: "Do Standardized Tests Show an Accurate View of Students ' Abilities?" Do Standardized Test Show an Accurate View of Students ' Abilities? Concordia University, n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. . Emanuel, Ezekiel J. "Test Our Children Well." New Republic 244.16 (2013): 9-10. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. Rooks, Noliwe M. "Time: Ideas." Ideas Why Its Time to Get Rid of Standardized Tests Comments. TIME, 11 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. . Schneider, Stephanie, and Matt Christison. "Argument: Are Exams Bad For children?" New Internationalist All Posts RSS. N.p., July 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. "Standardized Tests - ProCon.org." ProCon.org Headlines. Procon.org, 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. SCHNEIDER, STEPHANIE, and MATT CHRISTISON. "Are Exams Bad For Children?." New Internationalist 464 (2013): 30-32. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Pros And Cons Of Nefarious Standardized Testing
    • 1419 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Pros And Cons Of Nefarious Standardized Testing

    Michelle Obama once said, “If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I would not be here. I guarantee you that.” Standardized testing began a long time ago in China. It was a basic form to determine the eligibility for positions in the government of the ruling class. A standardized test is an analysis that is overseen and scored in a scheduled manner. In 2001 President George W. Bush passed the ‘No Child Left Behind’ education reform which expanded the state mandated standardized testing and assesses the schools performance. Standardized testing is not a proper way to measure the abilities of students. Students will take so many standardized tests that they become…

    • 1419 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Standardized Testing
    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Standardized Testing

    Standardized tests are defined by W. James Popham, former president of the American Educational Research Association, as "Any test that's administered, scored, and interpreted in a standard, predetermined manner." Standardized tests have been part of school systems since the 1800`s.(Standardized) Their use skyrocketed after 2002's No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandated annual testing in all 50 states. Standardized testing confuses some students and the amount of testing can stress them out, leaving them to get bad grades on them denying them certain things like scholarships and grants or even the ability to move up a grade level. Standardized testing should not represent the students of America competence.…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Are The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing
    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages

    What Are The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing

    Standardized testing has been a heavily debated topic for many years because it is not evident if testing is more beneficial or detrimental for children or schools. There are many pros and cons associated with the use of standardized testing. Most educators agree that there needs to be a method of accountability for schools and school districts. However, the question remains, are students tested too much? Additionally, to what extent can a standardize test assess students achievement? Some states use alternative methods of assessment. President Obama pledged to reduce the amount of standardized testing in our schools mainly because it is clear that standardized testing has not improved student achievement in the United States. Standardized…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Validity of Standardized Tests
    • 1261 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Validity of Standardized Tests

    I intend to research the validity of standardized tests in school. The standardized tests can include the Stanford 9, PSAT, SAT, CRCT, etc. I chose this topic because I feel that educators and political leaders place an undue amount of importance on it. A flaw in standardized testing is that while two students know the same subject material, one may get a question right while the other does not. Through my research, I tried find a more effective personalized test that would help most of the students. This topic appeals to me because I generally do well at standardized tests. Before we go further, let me explain what standardized tests are. They are just one type of assessment, although they often get the most publicity. We need to know "What is the purpose of the assessment?" and "Is this purpose worthy or meaningful? The approach we take appears to be overly punitive when it really should be ultimately served and the primary goals should be helping students. Our students are disconnected, bored, and alienated from their own natural ability to learn while they needed to be hopeful and learn with a joy. Currently, 49 states use standardized tests. Our President George W. Bush 's NO Child Left Behind Act has mandated high-stakes testing in grades 3-8 across the country and tells us how much importance we are giving to this type of tests. Not only has the creator of the SAT Carl Brigham stated, "If the unhappy day ever comes when teachers point their students towards these newer examinations, then we may look for the inevitable distortion of education in terms of tests."…

    • 1261 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Case Against Standardized Testing
    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Case Against Standardized Testing

    Sanchez, Adam. "Why testing fails our schools." SocialistWorker.org. International Socialist Organization, 14 Jan.2010. Web. 11 Jan. 2017.…

    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Should State Governments Replace Standardized Testing?
    • 1246 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Should State Governments Replace Standardized Testing?

    Some agree that standardized tests should be replaced with authentic assessments for individuals. While others agree that state tests should stay due to their reliability and fairly assessing student performance. However, there are many evidence that go against state testing. For example, standardized tests leave out a very significant part of education such as creativity, critical thinking, and motivation. And state tests are graded by undereducated people who understand nothing about what they are grading. Also, state tests do not show any improved performance in students. They put pressure on students just for assessing teachers if they taught the state standards. Lastly, standardized tests take a one size fits all approach of giving different students the same tests. Altogether, the different points of view both make sense and it will take state governments time to choose with what to go…

    • 1246 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Standardized Testing Argumentative Analysis
    • 484 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Standardized Testing Argumentative Analysis

    Standardized testing in our education system is oftentimes frowned upon. Though some disagree with standardized testing, others see it as an advantage to education in the future. I recently reviewed two articles with opposing opinions on this controversial topic. I noticed that one article worried more about how they felt emotionally, and less focused on the academic advantages or disadvantages. This is an issue in America, I believe when it comes to education we should worry about educational outcomes and not emotional distress due to the criteria in which you are required to abide by.…

    • 484 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Is Standardized Testing Unethical
    • 449 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why Is Standardized Testing Unethical

    Standardized tests are playing a detrimental role in American public schools. Many students who prepare to take a standardized test worry about the strategies other than using what they’ve learned in class to come to a conclusion on an answer. The Standardized tests that are given to students are unethical because they alienate students whose family has a low income and kids who are of ethnicity. They are also unethical because they rely heavily on false data brought in by students test scores. Schools that have high test scores are given more money by the federal government and schools that have low test scores are given little money or even worse, face closing leaving many teachers jobless. Standardized tests should not be heavily relied…

    • 449 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Standardized Testing Essay
    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Standardized Testing Essay

    Sixty-six percent of parents in America are opposed to standardized testing because test scores are being used to evaluate teachers’ teaching ability. Also, sixty seven percent of parents in the United States think there is too much emphasis on standardized tests (Walker). The tests are unfair to non-English speakers and kids with special needs because they still have to take the same exact tests (Ravitch). Tests creators should ask themselves is it really necessary to put kids that are in kindergarten up to third or fourth grade under that much stress? Standardized testing has a negative impact on schools. Parents are opting their kids out of standardized tests because of many reasons like they believe the tests do not help their kids, they…

    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Usefulness of Standardized Testing in Elementary Schools
    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Usefulness of Standardized Testing in Elementary Schools

    Kohn, Alfie. “Standardized Testing and Its Victims.” Education Week. 27 Sep 2007:. Web. 7 Jul 2011. .…

    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Standardized Testing Argumentative Analysis
    • 280 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Standardized Testing Argumentative Analysis

    In the argument between the affirmative and negative side of whether or not the use of standardized tests improve education, both sides clearly presented the history and status quo of how standardized tests have been a part of American education since the mid 1800s. Each side touched upon their own opinions about No Child Left Behind Act, and how the US students slipped from 18th in the world in math in 200 to 31st place in 2009, with a similar decline in science and no change in reading. The affirmative side says the tests are neither fair nor objective, that their use promotes a narrow curriculum and that teachers are teaching to the test. They also argued that excessive testing undermines America’s…

    • 280 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Standardized Testing Argumentative
    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Standardized Testing Argumentative

    Standardized testing measure how well a student is doing and how well they are prepared for college and beyond. “...to develop common assessments that will provide meaningful feedback to parents, teachers and policymakers to ensure all students are progressing toward attaining the skills they need to be successful in college, careers and life.” ( corestandards.org ) “The imperative then is not to eliminate testing; it is to make sure that tests are aligned with meaningful curriculum, rigorous standards, and useful professional development and that teachers are involved in the test adoption process” (Coggins Opposing Viewpoint in Context). The problem is not standardized testing, rather the way it is approached needs to be altered. Too often these tests are not written to meet the needs of students and educators in one particular school, but a hundred or so schools. If these test were changed to meet the needs of select schools, the tests would gain effectiveness. Although many see standardized tests as the best way to guide classroom lessons and to recieve data of what a student has learned, it limits lessons to a test and causes pressure on educators and…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Standardized Testing Argumentative Essay
    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Standardized Testing Argumentative Essay

    Standardized tests are a heated debate in the country as of today. Many people believe that standardized tests do not truly show a student’s knowledge. Students are more focused on passing a test instead of actually learning the content. Not only do these tests hinder students, they also affect teachers as well. Standardized tests may seem good in theory, but in fact, they may be doing more harm than good.…

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Synthesis Essay On Standardized Testing
    • 1551 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Synthesis Essay On Standardized Testing

    Standardized testing is a pivotal part in our education as a way of measuring a child's academic knowledge and growth has been present in the United States education system for nearly a century now and doesn't plan on leaving our education system anytime soon. In fact, in the past decade the amount of state issued exams has actually increased. While assessments can be a beneficial way in evaluating some forms of a student's performance in school tests despite, its history and significance, the effectiveness and requirements of these exams have been a constant source of controversy for both of the parties involved. Not only does it affect the teaching and learning that occurs in the classroom. Standardized testing can also have a negative impact…

    • 1551 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Standardised Testing Within Australian Education
    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Standardised Testing Within Australian Education

    Standardised tests can be a valuable education tool, providing a basic measure to see how children are performing in relation to their peers and other children from other schools. However, concerns have been raised about how heavily they are relied on for feedback about student performance. Most critics of standardized tests care very much about children and the education that they receive, but feel that standardized tests alone cannot accurately convey…

    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics