Standardized testing should not be a one size fits all method. There are many different factors that need to be taken into consideration in the academic evaluation for each individual student such as, life circumstances and mental health. Standardized testing fails to consider these factors therefore it offers no meaningful measure of progress in addressing the students educational needs and evaluation of knowledge. Things that needed some improvement were my analysis. I feel like my first paragraph lacked detail when explaining my source. I also feel like i could have reviewed my work more before turning it in because I noticed a lot of grammar errors.
Ever wondered how standardized testing affects a student’s ability to progress in school? Well for over 200 years, standardized testing has been used in public schools throughout the country and has been a method in which schools accept or reject students from their schools. The tests have had a lot of debate around it and teachers have questioned whether these tests are benefiting or hurting their students due to their negative impacts. Standardized testing is not a useful method for students and for schools.
One reason why students are not excelling in school and tests is because of their own life circumstances and mental health problems. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that “feelings of disappointment, anger, helplessness and fear are typical reactions to test anxiety”.These tests put so much pressure on students, making it difficult to perform at their best. What’s not being taken into consideration is anxiety which can worsen students’ performances. The Washington Post “It looks like the beginning of the end of America’s obsession with student standardized tests” explains how research has proven that these tests are not beneficial and are only making it worse for students with life circumstances. Valerie Straus demonstrates, “They had long pointed to extensive research showing standardized test scores are most strongly correlated to a student’s life circumstances. Real reform, they said, means addressing students’ social and emotional needs and the conditions in which they live, and making improvements in school buildings.” This proves that schools should take the students’ mental health more seriously and make healthier improvements at school so the students feel more comfortable. It’s important for schools to do this because it will not only make the students more excited to learn but it will also improve students’ test performance. Moreover, Colleges relied on SAT and ACT scores to better their school’s reputation. The Washington Post “It looks like the beginning of the end of America’s obsession with student standardized tests’ ‘ that they would accept students with high SAT and ACT scores to better their school and ability to push students. Valerie Straus demonstrates, “Scores on the SAT or ACT became an important factor in deciding who was accepted. College rankings — led by the annual lists of U.S. News & World Report, which were heavily weighted on test scores — became powerful as students relied on them and schools tried to improve their rankings with targeted reforms.” This proves that colleges were more focused on their school’s reputation rather than their student’s mental health and ability to do good in their school. Instead of looking at the student’s strengths, they use their test scores for their own benefit. Lastly, students in all grade levels struggle with tests because of their own circumstances, while teachers and lawmakers need to make it more comfortable and convenient for them knowing that they have their own struggles.
Standardized testing is not flexible and is super time-consuming for students. The article, “Examining the Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing” explains how the tests can show work that the students are not too clear about which can make them anxious moving forward. Derrick Meador demonstrates, “Some students may excel in the classroom yet not perform well on a standardized test because they’re unfamiliar with the format or develop test anxiety. Family strife, mental and physical health issues, and language barriers can all affect a student’s test score. But standardized tests don’t allow personal factors to be taken into consideration.” This proves that being given standardized tests can ruin a child’s mental health. No parent wants to hear their child come home and tell them school was boring because they had another test, they should not be educated in this manner because sooner or later this will develop test anxiety within their child. Therefore being given a standardized test will not work out because they fail to understand that kids are at various stages in their emotional and maturity development. Kids want to feel accepted and not feel as if a test depicts their future. Moreover, “Examining the Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing” explains that, teachers tend to teach what’s going to be on the tests instead of teaching the students new material that will benefit and bring out their creative side. Derrick Meador demonstrates, “Standardized testing causes many teachers to teach to the tests, meaning they only spend instructional time on material that will appear on the test. Opponents say this practice lacks creativity and can hinder a student’s overall learning potential.” This proves that
Teachers who spend time on just the material of the test fail to educate kids on the focus of quality education. Test scores do not let parents see what their kids are actually learning in school. It is very limited because most teachers are told to teach a curriculum based on standardized tests and not prepare their students for the real world.
In the book The Test: Why Our Schools are Obsessed with Standardized Testing But You Don’t Have to Be, Anya Kamenetz explains how standardized testing can affect schools financially. Anya Kamenetz demonstrates, “The feedback loop is closed when rising real estate values result in higher property taxes, meaning even more money flows to the schools that post the best scores. In the book, Warren advocates a universal public voucher system to neutralize the unequal effects of local property taxes on school funding, a position.” This proves that Warren wants money to not only be funded to schools with high test scores but to all schools regardless of their scores. Funding money to a school that needs it can help hundreds of students and teachers excel. Moreover, in the book The Test: Why Our Schools are Obsessed with Standardized Testing But You Don’t Have to Be, Anya Kamenetz explains how the schools with low test scores get closed down so the states don’t lose money. Anya Kamentez demonstrates, “Schools that fail to meet test score targets are sanctioned, lose their leadership, or close; districts and states must give the tests and follow the rules or else lose billions of dollars in federal education aid.” This proves that standardized tests are not made for the student’s benefit of learning but to test the school’s teaching abilities. As said in the previous quote districts will shut down if they do not match up to their expectations as administrators.
As expressed, these days standardized testing isn’t used to benefit kids but only ruins their mental health and lack of learning. If test scores are high it’s viewed as the staff in the school is doing a good job teaching, but if it’s low it’s viewed as doing a bad job. These tests clearly are made to benefit schools rather than educate kids. Students should be given the comfort and material that will bring out their creativity which will make them enjoy school and feel comfortable around their teachers and peers. Children should not be put under so much stress just for schools to use their test grades as a way to prove that they are a good school!
