Pros & Cons of Standardized Tests
Standardized tests are a measure of a student's academic knowledge in various subjects. The tests often are used to place students in appropriate classes and grade levels and provide data about state and national subject-area standards.
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Accountability
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One of the positive things about standardized tests is student and teacher accountability. Students are tasked with learning specific skills and being able to apply them on a formal assessment. This accountability also allows teachers to readjust instruction based on individual scores. If any student needs work in a particular area, the teacher can address these inadequacies appropriately.
Objectivity
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In most cases, standardized tests are objective. There are wrong or right answers, and there is no room for feelings or emotions. The basic premise involves knowing and applying the designated skill.
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Diminished Creativity
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A disadvantage is the tendency of standardized tests to force teachers to "teach to the test." Some teachers feel a decrease of creativity in their lesson planning.
Emotional Effects
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Standardized tests can have emotional effects on the students taking them. Students get test anxiety and can become overly competitive with their peers.
Test Bias
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Many educators, parents and students believe standardized tests are biased because test questions might not address students with disabilities, varying cultures, language barriers or gender and socioeconomic factors.
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References
- Photo Credit taking test image by Petro Feketa from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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good one for my research.
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Karen Fleming
Apr 27, 2010
Standardized tests measure very little other than how well a student can take a test. It is a judgement from 1 day in a student's year. If they have test anxiety or had a rotton night, it is not a true measure. Schools that did not work with that student in the past years (a student new to your school or district) get penalized if that student does poorly on the test, even though your school had nothing to do with their past learning elsewhere. A 9th grade student coming to your school with a reading ability of 4th or 5th grade cannot pass a 9th grade reading test. They may have improved by several grade levels while at your school but a test does not show this. I believe there needs to be accountability, but why not use something like a portfolio to show progress for each student?
