Preview

The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
797 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing
Every year high school juniors wake up go to a testing facility that’s often not their regular classroom or school, and take a standardize test. The point of these tests is to give an equal opportunity to all students to show colleges their academic potential. Sixteen year old Darius Smith, African American student sits down to take his standardize test. Little does he know he is at a ninety nine point disadvantage just because of his race. Darius is not alone as standardize tests are riddled with inaccuracies that hinder academic growth and opportunities in our country. The assumption that standardized tests reveals a student's true strength and weaknesses is fundamentally wrong and is limiting our nation's academic development. Colleges believe that standardized test scores on the SAT or ACT is an effective tool during the admissions process to determine a student's intelligence and academic potential. Before the reliance of standardized tests, only the affluent and socially connected families were able to pursue a college education. In an effort make a college degree more attainable, the College Board was founded to provide a standardized evaluation of students through the use of standardize testing. SAT and ACT test scores are a poor tool when assessing academic potential because of these test's narrow content coupled with socio-economic imbalances, inaccurate prediction of future achievement, and racial bias. …show more content…
There is an undeniable disparity in financial resources and educational opportunities among communities that reflects differences in standardized test scores. A recent Princeton study divided students into three socio-economic classes to compare standardized test performance. They found that the wealthiest third of students scored substantially higher than those in the bottom socio-economic
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The Benefits Of Standardized Testing
    • 407 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Benefits Of Standardized Testing

    Standardized testing has become the focus of modern school reform since the implementation of the No Child Left Behind law in 2002 (Evans 1). The act was designed to hold all public schools to a high standard of education, measured by the results of students’ test scores on statewide standardized tests. Not all students are good test takers, and not all careers require the ability to take traditional tests in order to be successful on the job. A significant number of students nowadays would care much about standardized tests. This is because students feel like they must worry about a test which directly affects their grades and ability to learn. Standardized tests place a heavy weight on students that can lead to stress, take up instruction timing, and students won’t be able to learn anything from them.…

    • 407 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Educational Inequality: Post Brown Vs. Board Of Education World
    • 3045 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Educational Inequality: Post Brown Vs. Board Of Education World

    Educational Inequality exists for students of all backgrounds in the U.S. but this inequality is extremely pronounced in minorities. It is no secret that the whiter, richer, more educated individuals in this country have generally had greater access to more stable learning environments, more knowledgeable, academically concerned parents, and better educational resources. However, In the Post Brown Vs. Board of Education world, inequality still persists at high levels for people of color and poverty. Despite the abolition of obvious forms of discrimination, students of lower socioeconomic status continue to receive worse educations and attain lower levels of schooling…

    • 3045 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best 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 Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing In Schools
    • 1488 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing In Schools

    When going to school students are supposed to learn based off a curriculum, but instead they are learning based off a test. These test are meant to help students, but instead they are hurting them. Standardized test requires all test takers to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from common bank of questions, in the same way. Also they are scored in a “standard” or consistent manner, which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students or groups of students. Each state has a different name for their standardized test, for Virginia they call theirs the Standards Of Learning, SOL’s. These test are neither fair nor objective, puts pressure on the students, and it cuts off time in the school year.…

    • 1488 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Downfalls of Standardized Testing
    • 2017 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Downfalls of Standardized Testing

    In January of 2002, President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law. This act required that each state develop standardized tests for basic skills and administer the tests to all students in order to receive federal funding for their school. Each state was required to set progress goals, and each school in the state must make adequate yearly progress, meaning that each year, the current students must perform better on the test than the previous students. If these progress goals were not met continually, schools were in jeopardy of losing federal funding, and teachers were in jeopardy of losing their jobs. The ultimate goal of the No Child Left Behind Act was to have 100% of students in a school reach the state requirements by 2014.…

    • 2017 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing
    • 264 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing

    Have you ever thought you were taking to many tests? If you do it is because of the standardized tests. Some people think we test too much in schools. Other people think there is not enough tests or we need to keep the tests the same. I think standardized test should change because they are to much money, the tests are so long, and there is a lot of tests in school.…

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

    Why Is Standardized Testing Wrong
    • 1728 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Why Is Standardized Testing Wrong

    Author Alfie Kohn explains that, “Research has repeatedly found that the amount of poverty in the communities where schools are located, along with other variables having nothing to do with what happens in the classrooms, accounts for the great majority difference in tests scores from one area to the next”(7). A factor such as resources available to the school as well as the level of affluence of the community in which the school is located contributes to these students setbacks. Test results show primarily socioeconomic status and available resources. In other words they tell us how the students’ houses are. One educator suggested that a way to save time and money would just be by asking a single question: “How much does your mom make?...OK, you’re on the bottom” (Kohn 7). Though that statement is slightly exaggerated, it does have some truth to it. Students, teachers, and schools should not be punished because of test scores especially considering all the socioeconomic factors included. Statistics and facts show that schools in better communities have more successful students while students who attend schools in more urban, low income areas are less successful when compared to students living in better economic communities. This is not the fault of the children therefore they should not be held accountable or punished by not receiving money and grants just because tests scores…

    • 1728 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing Research
    • 1374 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing Research

    An American educator who was examining the British educational system once asked a headmaster why so little standardized testing took place in British schools. "My dear fellow," came the reply, "In Britain we are of the belief that, when a child is hungry, he should be fed, not weighed" (Bowers 1). Even though this quote can be construed as being comical and light-hearted, the anecdote suggests the obvious question: "Why do we do so much standardized testing in the United States?" Standardized testing places incredible amounts of stress on teachers and school administrators, as well as the students taking the tests who are afraid that if they don't pass this exam, they might not be able to graduate. Standardized testing does not take in to…

    • 1374 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing
    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing

    When the topic of standardized testing arises are there typically two types of people. Those who are for standardized testing and those who are against standardized testing. In this article it talks about how both sides affect the minority races. On one hand Sonja Brookins Santelises states that standardized tests can benefit from these tests. She goes on to saying these tests gives parents a way to view if their children are not being served well by the teachers and the school district. I am personally not for standardized testing, but I like the point that Sonja made. It is the first point of view from an opposite opinion of mine that I can agree with. There were other parties in this article that were against the standardized test and their points were…

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

    Argument Against Standardized Testing
    • 755 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Argument Against Standardized Testing

    In today’s world, there are many social issues that are present. My group has decided to take action against one of those social issues. In particular, the social issue of standardized testing. Examples of standardized testing include the SAT and ACT. It’s a social issue because it affects millions of students every year. It’s a problem because it’s an inaccurate representation of a student’s knowledge. As a result, action needs to be taken to solve the issue. In this case, my group did a social action to raise awareness about the issue. Standardized testing is an ongoing dilemma and needs to be solved.…

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

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing
    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing

    As a student who has taken an ACT and many EOG’s, I believe that standardized test are not the best source of evidence when dealing with growth in education. I, for example, am one of many who would classify ourselves as brilliant thinkers, but poor test takers. Not only are poor test takers at a disadvantage, they are forced to take a long, and pressured test which does not prove their learnings of the year. Taking a standardized test should not determine whether or not a student would earn their diploma. Not only do standardize test determine whether or not someone may graduate, they may also determine whether someone would be accepted to a college. Even though some colleges look at grades throughout your high school…

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

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing
    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing

    Standardized testing is used in most schools. These are tests that are designed in a way, which are given out and recorded in a consistent method. In standardized testing, all test takers are required to answer the same set of inquiries. These are exams that usually have multiple-choice, or true or false questions, and test takers are given a certain amount of time to answer all the problems. Standardized testing is usually used to compare the performance of individuals in a relative manner.…

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

    Benefits Of Standardized Testing
    • 861 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Benefits Of Standardized Testing

    Standardized testing is not the best way to measure how well a teacher teaches or how much a student has learned. Schools throughout the United States put their main focus on standardized tests; these examinations put too much stress on the teachers and students and cause traumatizing events.…

    • 861 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing
    • 1758 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Arguments Against Standardized Testing

    Standardized testing is good in theory but in reality it is causing many problems. The…

    • 1758 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Standardized Tests
    • 2501 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Standardized Tests

    For years, children of all ages have been required to take standardized tests in order to assess their capabilities and theoretically prepare them for further education. These tests are often the main factor in acceptance into colleges and universities, used in grade advancement for younger ages, and an overall indicator of a person’s ability. However, because of the lack of variety in the subjects they evaluate, standardized tests are often under scrutiny for whether or not they are actually as necessary as the school systems all across the county make them out to be. With ample evidence supporting both sides of the argument, there are an outstanding amount of students, principles, and community members that stand against the excessive and dependent use of standardized tests. Standardized tests are not accurate depictions of a student’s ability to perform in an academic setting whether it is college or the next grade that they face.…

    • 2501 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics