Across all 50 states of America, standardized tests are used to assess students on their level of knowledge regarding certain educational abilities. It is a test that is administered and scored in a consistent or standard manner, and they are designed to measure the same set of questions given to each student. Some examples of standardized tests in the present time are the SAT, ACT, and State testing.
They are used for information-based statistics for educational systems. For example, it allows for comparisons to be made among schools in regards to student achievement, and can inform instruction for educators. Standardized tests have been used to test students since the mid-1800s. However, the difference between then and now is that they were once required, and now they are not. So the question is, do standardized tests still provide the same benefits they once did, or are they slowly fading away?
Junior Hannah Beckley believes that “the benefits of standardized testing are making sure that students are on track with the curriculum and understanding challenging concepts. Students need to take these tests to make sure they are understanding the concepts taught in class, but tests should not be the only thing graded. It should be a combination of class assignments, too.”
There are certain advantages to taking a Standardized test. For instance, they can be argued as objective measurements. Being able to compare test results from students across different schools and regions can help teachers and educational systems determine what they need to work on. The data present helps schools and governments improve their abilities to help students in the long term future, and prepare them for life careers. These tests help show the areas where students are struggling and what subjects need more attention or resources.
11th Grade AP English Language teacher, Mr. Fitz, states, “I think standardized tests are one of the many tools that people can use when they are on their way to adulthood. It can reveal the strengths and weaknesses that may be present for each student. For example, if you wanted to be an architect, but you’re not so good at math, you may want to rethink your decision.”
On the other hand, these tests are not required, and as much as you are allowed to opt out of them, some don’t. Many students take the test anyway but don’t care about the outcome, which leads to misleading results because the answers submitted are false guesses. When tests aren’t required, it reduces the motivation students have to try their hardest since the pressure is lifted of needing to do well on the assessment. Additionally, reliability is challenged because students aren’t proving their academic skills and showing what they’re capable of. Nearly 80 percent of educators said they feel moderate or large amounts of pressure to have their students perform well on standardized tests.
Junior Spencer Black says, “Some tests like the SAT are important for college but I don’t think state testing is important. When I took the test at least, there was a lot of stuff that did not reflect what I knew and what we did in class. Also, the Science one was on a bunch of things I’ve never done before like Geology.”
Standardized tests were brought to schools in order to challenge the students and gather information on what the government and schools can work on. However, many students think it’s unnecessary to continue doing parts of standardized testing like state. Will Standardized tests continue to grow and keep improving, or will it come to an end?