Standardized testing - Research Paper Example

Client’s 3 December Standardized testing is an illusion which is taking a huge toll on the growth and development of children in schools. Can a fish climb up a tree? The answer is no, similarly each student is much different than the other. They are different and have different qualities. It is completely unjust to judge them using the standardized testing format. Are students getting enough opportunities to learn? This is a very important question that needs to be answered before coming to the standardized testing format.

Many students find learning opportunities to be few and far between in schools and this hampers their growth and development. The purpose of this paper is to shed light upon the pros and cons of standardized testing. The method of standardized testing is unbiased and this is arguably its biggest pro. It does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race or religion. Standardized method of testing works well in indentifying the needs of underperformers and those who are succeeding. Specific programs can be developed for underperformers to make them excel.

It is a good method in order to achieve proficiency. It can also help create a more transparent education system. Being fair to each and every student is very important and standardized testing proves to be a very effective system when it comes to being fair to students. Standardized testing is considered to be an unfair system by many. This is because it does not take into account the differences in students and each and every student is judged using the same guidelines. This seems to be unfair and unjust.

It is very important to consider the differences in each student. Not everyone can be a monkey and accomplish the daunting task of climbing trees. Assessment and education are two very important topics. Standardized testing is a good way of imparting education but when it comes to assessment it fails on more forefronts than one. Standardized testing has had a positive effect on many students. They have achieved great success academically because of this method. It is also a very reliable way of measuring the achievements of students.

At the same time many consider this method to be highly flawed. “After No Child Left Behind (NCLB) passed in 2002, the US slipped from 18th in the world in math on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to 31st place in 2009, with a similar drop in science and no change in reading.” (Walker, Tim) Standardized testing is unfair to non-English speakers and there is hardly any doubt about this statement. The native speakers can easily acclimatize to standardize testing but it becomes a mammoth task for a non-native speaker to get used to this system of testing.

As a result of this many non-native speakers fail to graduate. “According to late education researcher Gerald W. Bracey, PhD, qualities that standardized tests cannot measure include "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." (Strauss, Valerie) The test preparation gets really monotonous for students and this is why most students dread preparing for tests.

Most students experience tremendous stress during exams. When it becomes too much to handle some of them even choose their end their life. The Stanford-9 exam comes with a booklet just to let a student know what to do should he vomit over the paper. To conclude it is fair to say that standardized testing has pros and cons like a two-sided coin. Its biggest con is that it assesses every student in the same manner and its biggest pro is that it does not discriminate students on the basis of their race, color or religion.

Works Cited Tim Walker, "PISA 2009: U.S. Students in the Middle of the Pack,” www.neatoday.org, Dec. 1, 2013 Valerie Strauss, "The Myths of Standardized Testing,” Washington Post, Dec. 1, 2013