Impact of standardized testing emphasis on teaching and. Using test scores to reward and punish teachers and schools encourages them to cheat the system for their own gain. I flexibly combine st with other nonstandardized assessments such as narrative. A 2011 usa today investigation of six states and washington dc. Pros and cons use of standardized tests page 4 who studies have shown adapt more easily to the gamelike point scoring of multiplechoice questions. Standardized tests are those where all students answer the same. Pdf school systems regularly use student assessments for accountability purposes. Standardized testing is again under scrutiny following the news that the house of delegates in maryland approved a legislation that will put a limit to the test to only two percent classroom time each year, which is equivalent to 20 hours annually. A perspective from cognitive psychology the authors 2015. There are countless debates on the pros and cons of standardized testing. I need books on the pros and cons of standardized testing.
In the following article, some of the positive and negative factors are discussed. Even if standardized testing were not only desirable to give the public a picture of basic competencies, but also an efficient way to do so, the costs have been too great. Standardized testing only provides a oneday evaluation for a student. Problems with using standardized test scores in highstakes evaluations of. Their use skyrocketed after 2002s no child left behind act nclb mandated annual testing in all 50 states. And standardized tests normed to a large population. This paper is an effort in combining the various sources on standardized testing. College board was a not for profit group of universities, colleges and other educational organisations. Standardized tests can help identify problem areas in individual students, as well as schools and curriculums. Sforsyth while standardized testing is stressful and time. Standardized testing is a contentious issue in canada, and internationally. Study says standardized testing is overwhelming nations public. Heres why we dont need standardized tests education week. Examining the pros and cons of standardized testing.
What are the pros and cons of potentially using nwea map growth as a statewide. Standardized testing frameworks in addition to designing to account for concerns of reliability, validity, and fairness, test publishers design a standardized test according to how its results will. Today sat and act are the most widely recognized standardized tests. Pdf this article explores the use of standardized tests to hold schools. This allows parents and teachers to see how a student is doing compared to other students in his or her class, city, and country. Descriptive statistics and chisquare findings for items in the principal. Typical student takes 112 required tests from prek through 12th grade. Us students slipped from being ranked 18th in the world in math in 2000 to 40th in 2015, and from 14th to 25th in science and from 15th to 24th in reading. Standardized testing and school accountability article pdf available in educational psychologist 452. The downside of standardized testing partnership for the public. There are a number of reasons standardized testing is good. There is just too much standardized testing going on in our schools. But lately, the common core curriculum and revamped tests are coming under fire.
If a student had a difficult morning and it affects their performance on the day they take a standardized test, then their scores may not accurately reflect their true knowledge or potential. California eliminated its high school graduation test three weeks ago, joining minnesota. Many would argue that teacher and student performance should be evaluated for growth over the course of the year instead of one single test. Standardized testing and its side effects has been part of the u. Standardized tests have been a part of american education since the mid1800s. Standardized testing can provide benchmarks for parents and teachers. The start of sat was at the scholastic aptitude test by college board in 1926. Standardized testing only evaluates onetime performance instead of a students progress and proficiency over time. Education in canada falls within provincial jurisdiction and every province and territory develo ps its own curricula. Standardized testing is a subject that many people feel strongly about. The pressure to perform on standardized tests in the united states has become.