...Standardized testing was drastically changed in The United States in 2002 when congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act. Standardized testing has now become a normal and crucial part of a child’s academic agenda in the United States. The big debate is whether or not standardized testing really increases educational achievement. One way to simply answer this is just by looking at the correlation of high achieving educational countries and the amount of standardized testing incorporated into their educational systems. Asian and European countries are among some of the highest academically successful countries in the world. What is one thing in common among these Asian and European countries-- their high use of standardized testing. Although the use of standardized testing can increase the chances of academic achievement it can also come with some negative attributes. With standardized testing you lose creativity and critical thought processing. Students are being trained to answer what they believe the creator of the test believes is the right answer not what the student actually believes to be the right answer. Students are also taught to believe that there is only one right answer and that answer is either A,B,C, or D. According to Ron Maggiano “The overemphasis on testing has...
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...The first standardized tests appeared in America during World War I as a means of placing U.S. Army recruits into military roles that suited their skills. Later the psychologists that created those tests created the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT. The objective was to create a full-length test to judge the overall intelligence of a student applying to college. The ACT was later created in 1959 with a similar goal. The two tests today contain sections for reading, writing, math, and in the ACT, science. Today, standardized tests are defined as any examination that is managed and scored in a standard way. Throughout time standardized tests have been progressively changing in their measurement of individuals. Today there are two noteworthy sorts...
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...Standardized Testing: Harmful to Learning Standardized Testing: Harmful to Learning Currently impressionable youth are receiving test results that may seem of little consequence to most but to them it says they are not good enough, or smart enough. Many students have received these results and felt the disappointment it can bring not only to their academic life but also how it melts into their self-esteem and self-worth. Even a teacher feeling they have failed there students, being unable to achieve certain marks knowing students will suffer not only academically but also loose funding for programs that they so desperately need or want. These negative connotations along with incidents of impropriety have come to light in the process of standardized testing in our schools across the nations. Standardized testing has created a test driven education, altering teaching strategies with a higher stress environment for not only teachers but students as well, and has great consequences for all involved if they fail to meet mandated scores. History of Testing Testing isn’t new to education yet it has changed dramatically from where it started many years ago. The history of testing dates back for many centuries for many different reasons including our military, but most are centered on education and its effectiveness as a whole. When the military introduced aptitude tests they where to help find suitable candidates for positions such as officers, and other special...
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...Standardized Testing: Debunking the Myths Trestin M. Holmes Wiley College ENGL 1302 08 OL-English Composition Dr. Don Lawson November 17, 2014 Abstract The purpose of this research is to thoroughly examine the myths and preconceived notions pertaining to standardized testing and compare it with factual evidence. The criteria that will be used to accurately analyze this study will consist of evaluating the overall effectiveness of standardized testing in terms of student achievement, estimating how much of a financial burden standardized testing has proven to be in past years, and observing the adverse impact that standardized testing has had on children from a statistical & realistic standpoint. This will undoubtedly give insight on how much of a detriment standardized testing is in today’s society. Standardized Testing: Debunking the Myths What is Standardized Testing? A standardized test is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent, or "standard", manner. Standardized tests are designed in such a way that the questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent and are administered and scored in a predetermined, standard manner. Any test in which the same test is given in the same manner to all test takers is a standardized test. Thesis Standardized tests have been a part of American education since the mid-1800’s and its use has skyrocketed since the induction of 200’2’s “No Child Left Behind Act”...
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...experiences and combines the unknown of what revolves the world to create something new (Lavelle). Standardized testing should be forbidden due to becoming a threat to students and teachers, causing stress on students, and leading many not to graduate high school. The extension of standardized testing is it is becoming a threat worldwide (Kuehn). The principle of standardized...
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...favor of standardized tests. Aspects include: o Standardized tests are less time-consuming than more complicated assessments that need personal time with every student. o Standardized tests are easier to administer. There are explicit directions given and each student is given the same directions in the same way. o They are easier to grade, machines do it for us. o Very easy to use a computer to track progress and levels of achievement for different groups of students in different subjects. (Holloway) • Objectivity-It is very easy for a test to be objective, it doesn't have emotion or moods or biases. When giving more personal assessments, it is very possible that the teacher or person assessing the student can let their emotions or biases affect how they score that student. • Instigator of change-Standardized tests can be a powerful tool to change classroom and school practices (Gardner). We can use testing to tell us whether we have a problem (Gerstner). When we identify a problem in a classroom, school, or district we can then take active steps in correcting that problem. In addition, achievement data from tests provide teachers with valuable information to improve classroom and student learning (Gardner) • Accountability-Setting high expectations for students and holding them accountable for the same standards, leads to achievement gains. High-stakes testing forces students to take education seriously. (Nathan) • Standardization-Holding all students accountable...
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...math on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) to 31st place in 2009” (Standardized Testing). The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed by George W. Bush on January 8, 2002. The Act required all United States students have 100% proficiency on state reading and math test by the year 2014 (Standardized Tests). Since this act has been passed by Congress there has been a wide debate over the requirements and standardized test. The No Child Left Behind Act is not an effective educational policy because the teaching focus is on standardized testing, there is a negative impact on students, and penalizing on schools and teachers for not...
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...Annotated Bibliography for Standardized Tests Sammy North DeVry University Annotated Bibliography for Standardized Tests Everyone is affected by the strength or weakness of our educational system, from the students and their ability to succeed in college and in the workplace, to the employers who hire them—and everyone in between. Every taxpayer is a stakeholder in education, because these tests are paid for by tax dollars, and the return on investment in education is not where it should be. Standardized tests should be abolished and replaced with end-of-year subject tests because they will save time and money, lead to increased mastery of core subjects, and diminish dropout rates. Clemmitt, M. (2007, July 13). Students under stress. CQ Researcher, 17, 577–600. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/ This article discusses the pressure that students face in public schools today. Homework has increased, as has stress caused by high-stakes standardized testing. This type of pressure results in less time for children to play, sleep, and interact with their parents. The solution is to limit the time children spend on homework, but given that American students lag behind their international peers in tests of basic subjects, decreasing schoolwork seems not to be the answer. Although Clemmitt is a journalist and not an expert on the subject, she cites many experts and authoritative sources to lend credibility to the article, including books and surveys from...
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...Should schools use standardized testing to determine student achievement? Students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade combined take about 113 mandated tests annually (Strauss). This staggering statistic has led to the debate on whether standardized testing should be used by school districts across the United States to determine student achievement. As a result of this onslaught of tests to the rising generation of students, it has led to an uproar of angry parents, students, and even educators. Why do we still continue to overload our students with these immeasurable, redundant standardized tests every school year? Standardized testing should not be used to determine student achievement. These needless mandated tests damage the learning...
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...Standardized Testing Should Not Take Place in Kindergarten Kourtney C. Robles-Stewart Rasmussen College English Composition G124/ENC1101 Section 04 Teresa Kelly March 4, 2016 Abstract Standardized testing in kindergarten has become a very controversial topic across the nation. While there may be advantages of implementing standardized tests in schools, the disadvantages seem to be never-ending. The following paper will analyze the effects standardized testing can have on children of all ages with an emphasis on kindergarteners. It will look into the factors that impact test scores and how the tests compare to normal classroom activities and behaviors. A brief look into the role the United States government has played in standardized testing across the nation will also be covered. Standardized Testing Should Not Take Place in Kindergarten It’s a normal Monday morning when a mother is getting her, normally, very eager five-year-old ready for school. Her daughter has never missed a day and has always been overly-excited to get back to class after the weekend off, however, today is not the same. The little girl who once loved going to school to see her teacher and friends, now wants nothing to do with it, she simply doesn’t want to go. Her reasoning, “it’s not fun”. Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming more common across the nation as curriculum modifications are being made by educators to prepare young students for standardized tests. Since "No Child Left Behind"...
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...Standardized Testing and Its Effects: An Annotated Bibliography The first standardized test was administered by Horace Mann in the nineteenth century as as a result of the concern with the educational reform in America (Gallagher, 2003). Although the students’ results were disappointing, this lead to the movement of using standardized tests throughout curriculum. In spite of the controversy, the popularity of this form of testing has increased greatly over time. The debate on standardized tests has been an ongoing issue throughout history. While some believe that these tests are an unjust, incorrect way to measure intelligence, others suggest that standardized testing is a vital part of the educational process. In order to gather an unbiased...
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...Testing in schools has always been common; teachers need a way to arbitrate if students are understanding and obtaining the knowledge being taught. However, a different type of test is becoming prominent in school systems. Standardized testing, examinations administered and scored in a standard manner (7), are taking over the school systems. Standardized tests administered to students are either aptitude tests or achievement tests. Aptitude tests predict student’s performance, like the common ACT and SAT that colleges frequently use; achievement tests evaluate teacher and school effectiveness (7). Although standardized tests are becoming significant in school curriculum, the results do not accurately represent student or teacher abilities....
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...Financial incentives, Standardized Tests is this the right path? Have you ever wondered what educational value a standardized test brings to high school students? If you are having trouble answering that question, well do not be alarmed because you are not alone. This question has been on the minds of many people for a very long time. Many people believe that standardized testing is essential for children to be educated; although, on the other hand there is another group of people that believe standardized testing is pointless. This particular argument is up to an individual’s opinion; although, what is not a matter of opinion is if rewarding students with a financial reward or incentive to put standardized testing as a first priority is a good idea. To give a financial incentive to a high school student for his or her performance on a standardized test is not only an unethical practice, it also will not increase standardized test scores or productivity on an academic level. The argument on the actual educational value of a standardized test has been debated for decades now. Some believe that standardized tests are culturally Bias. Others argue that standardized tests hold no value in educating young students. Then there is the state and federal governments who believe that a standardized test is the only way of gauging if a student has learned anything. The issue of standardized testing has been a sore sport of discussion amongst all people that believe getting an...
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...I grew up Loudoun County, one of the richest counties, where education was extremely important. My education was centered around being the best we could be, which often meant getting good grades and passing standardized exams. Throughout my schooling, we took approximately thirty-four standardized exams beginning in 3rd grade. At the time, I never thought anything of it, it was the usual. After taking this course, I began to reflect upon my education and realized how much the accountability movement impacted my education, specificity high-stakes testing. The goal of the accountability movement was to create equitable education for students, specifically set by the No Child Left Behind Act. High-stakes testing is the main element of the accountability movement because...
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...Standardized tests are poor because they measure a student's level of education by giving them tests that if they fail, it would jeopardize their future therefore they should get rid of them. It is wrong for a student to complete four years of high school with good grades and other good qualifications, and then have that student take a test and be placed at a remedial level due to the scores they receive. Standardized tests are a waste of time, because some people actually know the information and are smart, but they are just bad tests takers or maybe they just are not good with a test, which does not mean they should be put in remedial classes or be denied admission to the university they want to go to because of that. Standardized test are...
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