Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing – Overview
For many years, standardized testing has been a subject of discussion in education. Standardized testing means using the same test for everyone, with the same rules and grading system, to compare how well students or groups perform.
Some say it is good because it helps measure students’ performance and holds schools accountable. Others say it is bad because it stresses students out too much, makes teachers focus too narrowly on test subjects, and does not show everything students can do. In this article, we will look at some key pros and cons of standardized testing.
How Standardized Testing Started?
Standardized testing has existed in the American education system since the mid-1800s, but it became widespread in all states after the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002. A standardized test, such as GED or SAT, often involves multiple-choice questions that machines can grade. Some also include open-ended questions graded by humans.
However, these tests have sparked debate because they can have big consequences. If students do not do well, they might get held back a grade, and schools or teachers could face penalties like closures or firings. Conversely, high scores can mean continued school funding and bonuses for teachers and administrators. So, while standardized tests aim to measure learning, they have also become controversial in education.
Modern-day Testing
Modern-day testing in the US began in 1965 with President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Since then, subsequent presidents have tried to reform the national education system.
Let’s take a look at what US Presidents tried to achieve:
1. Ronald Reagan: A Nation at Risk – Imperative for Educational Reform
In 1983, a group appointed by President Ronald Reagan called the Commission on Excellence in Education published a report called “A Nation at Risk: Imperative for Educational Reform”.
This report said that American education was in trouble and needed to improve. It told schools and school boards to raise all academic standards.
Reagan’s report also said that there should be more standardized tests and that schools should be held more accountable for how well they teach.
2. Bill Clinton – Improving America’s Schools Act (IASA), Goals 2000 Act
President Bill Clinton introduced the Improving America’s Schools Act (IASA) and Goals 2000 Act in 1994. These laws aimed to create a system where schools voluntarily agree to be accountable and conduct testing.
However, only a handful of states followed through with this plan. In 1997, President Clinton dropped his idea for a Voluntary National Test after spending $15 million on its development over two years.
3. George W. Bush: No Child Left Behind Act
President George W. Bush endorsed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2002. This law required schools to test students yearly in math, reading, and science.
If schools did not show enough improvement, they could be punished. It might mean they had to make changes or even be shut down or taken over by the state.
4. Obama: Race to the Top Program
In 2009, Barack Obama implemented his Race to the Top program. This plan offered states the chance to get more than $4 billion in extra federal money depending on how well their students did on standardized tests.
In 2010, President Obama suggested a big change to the No Child Left Behind Act. He promised to give states even more reasons to create standardized tests. These new tests would look at how many students finish school and how often they attend class, not just how they do on tests.
Post-Pandemic Testing
Standardized test scores suffered considerably during and after the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in 2022, math and reading scores hit their lowest levels.
Experts cannot decide how serious this decline is. Some express concern about how standardized testing impacts students’ future opportunities, while others argue that the scores do not align with what teachers teach in class.
Pros of Standardized Testing
Standardized testing has several benefits:
1. Ensures Fairness and Objectivity
When teachers grade students, there is a chance for differences in grading between classes. For example, a C in one class could be considered an A in another. On the other hand, standardized testing offers a fair and consistent measure of skills and knowledge without any subjective influences.
Test designers craft standardized tests to maintain objectivity. They evaluate results using the same set of questions given in similar conditions to all students. These tests are either graded by machines or by impartial reviewers. It means they precisely measure what a student knows and can do.
2. Provides Fair Data for Evaluation
Providing fair testing data helps ensure that students are doing well and getting the support they need. It also lets us know if there are any problems and helps teachers give extra help.
Without this fair data, we cannot tell if a school is doing a good job, if a teacher needs to improve, or if the education system needs to change.
The truth is that in our society, some people have more money and advantages than others. So, having tests that everyone takes helps to ensure that everyone gets a good education, no matter where they live or how much money their family has. These tests help schools and leaders know if they are doing a good job and if they need to make any changes to help all students succeed.
3. Shows Success Rates for Jobs and College
Standardized tests help us see how hard students work in school, which is important for college and jobs later on. They show if students are ready for more challenging things. When schools focus on helping students do well on these tests, it usually means setting them up for college and career success.
Research confirms that the skills and knowledge assessed in standardized tests such as the GED, SAT, or ACT are valuable for students pursuing various paths after high school. Whether students plan to attend traditional colleges or opt for trade schools or technical colleges, these tests measure essential abilities crucial for success in their chosen endeavors.
4. Helps Evaluate Teachers
Using these tests, schools and districts can see how teachers are helping students learn the main things they should know. It helps everyone understand which teachers are doing well and where they might need more support.
Cons of Standardized Testing
Standardized testing has been subject to criticism for several reasons:
1. Shows Only Which Students are Good at Test-taking
When students take standardized tests, many things can affect their performance. They might feel hungry, tired, or stressed out. Sometimes, what their parents or teachers have said to them before the test can also play a part.
So, standardized test scores tell us which students are good at taking specific tests. They do not always show how much a student knows or can do, especially if they feel hungry or tired during the test.
Also, because each state makes its tests, comparing scores between different states is hard. It means we cannot always be sure if a student in one state is doing better or worse than a student in another state based on these tests.
2. Does Not Enhance Diversification
Standardized tests do not show how good students are at thinking creatively or developing new ideas, like starting businesses. Schools do not receive rewards for teaching students to think critically and solve tough problems. Putting too much emphasis on these tests in the US makes it tough for students to do well in other parts of their lives.
3. Unable to Predict Future Success
Standardized tests measure how well you know certain subjects, such as Math, English, and Science. However, they don’t show how creative or problem-solving you are. These tests cannot measure important skills like critical thinking or problem-solving.
Researchers say that school grades (your GPA) are much better at predicting how well you will do in college or your career. GPAs consider a wider range of skills and behaviors important for college success.
So, while standardized tests are useful for some things, they do not tell the whole story. Doing well on these tests does not mean you will do well in college or your future job. That is because preparing for these tests only focuses on a small part of what you need to succeed later.
4. Unable to Provide Fair Metrics for Teacher Evaluation
Many experts argue that using standardized tests to judge the performance of teachers, schools, districts, or even entire states is not the right approach. They say these tests often do not match what teachers teach in the classroom.
For instance, imagine two classes taught by the same teacher. In one class, the student’s scores on a standardized test might be much lower than in the other. Using test scores to judge how good a teacher is might not be fair. That is why 27 states and Washington, DC, have decided to stop using standardized tests to evaluate teachers.
Final Thoughts
Standardized testing offers a standardized measure of student achievement and accountability, aiding in identifying areas for improvement in education systems. However, it can lead to increased stress and limited assessment of student skills. Balancing the pros and cons of standardized testing is crucial for effective educational evaluation and improvement.
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