The Controversy of Standardized Testing
- Jessica Middleton
- Feb 25, 2016
- 6 min read
(https://cvkerr.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/standardized-test-comic.jpg)
Standardized testing is a hot-button issue for many students, parents, and educators. Some believe that it is the most efficient and accurate way of measuring student achievement and facilitating a proper curriculum, whilst others disagree. However, many of the studies done on the effectiveness of testing contradict each other. For instance, while 93% of studies have shown that student testing has had a positive effect on student achievement, in a report from May 26, 2011, the National Research Council found no evidence that test-based incentive programs are working, stating that, "Despite using them for several decades, policymakers and educators do not yet know how to use test-based incentives to consistently generate positive effects on achievement and to improve education." Are standardized tests really the pinnacle of inspiring and measuring student achievement? Or is it possible that we have not yet found a way to utilize these tests to accurately measure and incentivize student achievement? Or is it a flawed system all together?
In measuring student ability, we must first realize that not all students have the same abilities and capacity for learning and performing on these tests. For instance, students who are not 100% fluent in the language that the test is given in, or students with learning disabilities. Some argue that they should be tested the same. Michelle Rhee, the former school chancellor of Washington D.C., believes that they should take the same tests, stating that, “"You can't separate them, and to try to do so creates two, unequal systems, one with accountability and one without it. This is a civil rights issue.” However, some would argue that it is discriminatory to force students to participate in a test that is not compatible with their skill sets. Is it worse to be kept from taking these tests, after spending the same amount of time learning the material as other students, or is it worse to be forced to take a test that will be inevitably harder for you than other students?
Additionally, professionals disagree about whether or not these standardized tests are actually the most effective means of measuring student achievement. Those in favor of the tests state that the scoring of these tests is an unbiased and objective way of measuring achievement as they are normally scored off by either a computer or third-party system off of a concrete set of answers or strict rubric, and are therefore free from bias. However, some would argue that the the popular multiple choice format of standardized tests is unrealistic, as the real world will not always present you with simple right or wrong answers. Moreover, standardized tests have also been criticized for not being able to measure all of the important aspects of learning efficiently. Gerald W. Bracey, PhD and well-known education researcher states that there are several qualities that standardized tests cannot measure, such as, “...creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, curiosity, endurance, reliability, enthusiasm, empathy, self-awareness, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, sense of beauty, sense of wonder, honesty, integrity." This may lead to putting students with different learning styles at a disadvantage, as they will not be assessed in the field of knowledge that they perform best in.
Another point in favor of standardized testing is the cost factor. It often takes up a small portion of most school district’s budgets, costing an estimated 2 to 33 dollars per student yearly (data varies between districts). Also, as computer and technology usage increases, it is becoming even cheaper and easier to administer and grade tests, as everything can be done on the computer. However, in some cases this cost factor will not always be so low. For instance, (according to the Texas Education Agency) Texas spent $9 million in 2003 student testing, costing Texan taxpayers an estimated $88 million per year from 2009 to 2012. Additionally, the often multi-million dollar businesses responsible for administering and grading the tests have a history of making major errors in grading and delivering test scores. One such instance was in 2010 when Pearson, the distributer of the Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test (F.C.A.T.), delivered the test scores over a month late and were challenged by school official on their accuracy in grading.
One of the popular points against standardized testing is the amount of stress it puts on students. The high pressure, often high stakes tests are known to often cause serious cases of anxiety in students, in some cases worrying them to the point of illness. Gregory J. Cizek, an education researcher speaks of how testing, “... produces gripping anxiety in even the brightest students, and makes young children vomit or cry, or both." Some are even saying that putting this kind of pressure on students is robbing them of their childhood. A study by the Gesell Institute of Human Development has showed that increased emphasis on testing is making, "...children feel like failures now as early as Pre-K…”. However, those in favor of standardized testing would contest this. The U.S. Department of Education states, "Although testing may be stressful for some students, testing is a normal and expected way of assessing what students have learned." Also, many professionals in the real world are required to take high stakes tests to get licensed, such as lawyers, physicians, and real-estate agents.
Finally, one of the major points against standardized testing is that it limits the ability of teachers to teach properly. Due to time constraints and strict curriculum, teachers may have to cut out important lessons to make time for teaching the material that will be on the test. Additionally, they are often forced to rush through the lessons they do get to teach in order to cover everything, leaving students without a proper understanding of the curriculum. Moreover, some believe that the current structure of standardized testing and education is leading to a decline in the creativity of students. Test preparation efforts are often criticized for eating into class time. Additionally, many believe that this is leading to a decline in the creativity of students. A study done by the University of Maryland found that the pressure teachers were feeling to 'teach to the test' since the No Child Left Behind Act* was leading to declines in teaching, “higher-order thinking, in the amount of time spent on complex assignments, and in the actual amount of high cognitive content in the curriculum." Furthermore, some of the critics of standardized testing believe that the high stakes of the tests, students and even teachers are more likely to cut corners to do well, possibly by means of cheating or cramming the information in what some call a “drill n’ kill” routine.
These claims are, of course, contested by educators in favor of standardized testing. For instance, a 2005 issue of Education Policy Analysis Archives, states that good teachers understand that, "isolated drills on the types of items expected on the test," are unacceptable, and principals interviewed said, "they would sanction any teacher caught teaching to the test.” Also, 73% of teachers surveyed in a 2002 Public Agenda study said that they, "have not neglected regular teaching duties for test preparation."
In summation, the topic of standardized testing is quite controversial. With contradicting arguments from both sides of the debate, it can be hard to conclude what the real answer is. Whilst some believe that it is the most accurate way of measuring student achievement and encouraging a complete curriculum, others believe that is more harmful than it is helpful. What do you believe?
*An act passed in 2002 requiring annual testing in all 50 U.S. states
Discussion Questions: How do you feel personally affected by standardized testing? Do you believe that the current system of standardized testing is fair? What are some disadvantages to the current standardized testing system? What are some advantages?
Source: ProCon.org. "Standardized Tests ProCon.org" ProCon.org. 3 Apr. 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2016. <http://standardizedtests.procon.org/>.
Additional Resources:
Standards:
Standard 1 SS.8.C.1: The student will evaluate the roles, rights, and responsibilities of United States citizens and determine methods of active participation in society, government, and the political system.
Standard 7 SS.912.A.7: Understand the rise and continuing international influence of the United States as a world leader and the impact of contemporary social and political movements on American life.
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