Does Standardized Tests Enhance Student Learning - Coursework Example

Table of Contents Introduction 02 Meaning of Standardised Tests 02 Characteristics of Standardised Tests 03 Benefits of Standardised Tests 04 Why Give Standardised Tests 05 Pros and Cons of Standardised Testing 05 Prudent Use of Standardised Tests 08 Personal Reflection 08 Conclusion 09 References 10 Introduction Standardised tests have been long used over the past and have been a controversial method for the assessment of students in a school. It has been an important indicator of students’ achievements and aptitudes. But still some standardised test scores have been misused in a wrong manner to track students, allocation of school funds and also in determination of teachers pay. It used properly and with right reasons, such tests can determine a student’s present level of strengths and weaknesses as per their abilities. Testing has been a part of the educational system over the decades with the aim of providing the students with the education they need for leading a meaningful, productive life in the new years. In this assignment we come across the meaning of standardised tests and the scope it has for the students. We study the steps involved in the making of such standardised test along with the characteristics of the same. Further we come across the benefits and the pros and cons of the standardised testing methods. Meaning of Standardised Tests A standardised test is any such test that requires every test taker to answer the same questions or selection of questions from a common bank and the scoring is in a standard or consistent manner for making comparison between individual students or group of students (Barksdale-Ladd and Thomas, 2000). When such tests are administrated, they are done as per certain rules and specifications for making the testing conditions same for all test takers. These tests are standardised and thus are more reliable and valid than the non-standardised measures. It is a lens into the classroom throwing light on the facts that why a child might be struggling, succeeding or acceleration on certain elements (O’Malley, K. (2012). There various types of standardised tests like Aptitude tests, Attitude tests, Intelligence tests, Interest tests and Personality tests. The scope of such tests is very wide and they are more accurate with better refinements. Characteristics of Standardised Tests Standardised tests are a part of the achievement tests and have certain characteristics which are as follows: Such tests are content based as the item-selection is done by competent judges. The administration in also standardised as it follows a specific direction and is bounded by time limits. Scoring follows a specific set of rules and the scoring key are prepared. The tests are carried out under certain norms with proper interpretation. Benefits of Standardised Testing There are a number of benefits of using well-developed standardised tests as a part of the school’s regime. They are ideal for the following reasons: Tracking Progress: This is a more reliable and practical way of tracking and showing progress in schools. The Standard Age Score (SAS) derived from the standardised tests is the most fairest and accurate ways of benchmarking students. The SAS helps in meaningful comparison of more than one test. Benchmarking of Performance: The tests help in understanding the performance of the pupils and setting a benchmark for assessing such performances. Screening: These tests act as screens in identification of students who are in more need of assistance including those who are more able or gifted. Diagnosis: The performance of a student can be diagnosed by comparing the student’s results on different kind of tests. By doing so the possible underachievement can be identified. Establishing a Baseline: The tests ascertain a baseline of skills, abilities and knowledge that students already have measured against the national or other school standards. These baselines give the teachers a picture of the thinking abilities of the pupils in different context. Target-setting: With the indication of potential performance at a further date, the future targets can be set. Provide Evidence of Value-added: The progress of the students relative to their set baselines can be established easily. Evaluating Intervention: These tests are the reliable and independent ways of measuring the results of educational interventions in the form of new reading schemes or student mentoring programs (Brown, 2008). Reporting to Parents and Others: The reports of the tests help to communicate the attainment and progress of the student to the parents and other senior leadership teams. Improving Teaching and Learning: The information gained through the standardised tests can be helpful in improving teaching and learning both at individual and group levels. Thus, the benefits of standardised tests clearly bring a picture of how it helps in the enhancement of student learning. Why Give Standardised Tests Standardised tests should be given by the students for the following few reasons: Regular assessment of students provides critical education and life-learning functions. It highlights the efforts of teachers and students on grabbing important materials. Testing helps the teachers to know some crucial requirements regarding the needs and abilities of the students. Regular tests provide the students and parents regarding the knowledge building and learning of the child. Test-taking experience and facility is something that the students gain as an important skill which shall be very helpful throughout their lives. Testing does not only reflects the performance of the students but also are used to create changes in the classroom thus helping in strengthen the educational system. Testing helping the gaps in knowledge. Tests encourage students to study. Pros and Cons of Standardised Testing Standardised testing has been a very controversial topic over the years, yet it has been identified to have various pros and cons which makes it important and brings it into consideration to be used as a measure to understand the impact it has on students learning and knowledge. The pros of standardised tests are: These tests hold the schools and teachers responsible and accountable. This is considered as the greatest benefit of such tests as they are the people responsible for teaching students what are the requisites for such tests. The scores of the students become public records which may result in loss of job for the teachers and schools if they are not at par under intense situations (Meador, 2014). They give the teachers an idea of what to teach and when to teach resulting in less wastage of instructional time. They do not narrow the curriculum rather they focus on the important areas of basic skills which the students need to master. It gives the parents an idea of how their children are performing as compared to the others in their area and schools. On a large scale it also helps in comparing the local area against the national landscape. It allows comparison between students from different schools, districts and states under the same parameters. The ability to compare data is invaluable and has been the main reason for the adaptation of the standards (Thompson, 2009). The set established standards provide the teachers with the guidance for what is to be taught, otherwise the students of the third and sixth grade would have been taught the same contents. Standardised tests are objective in nature which is developed by experts after undergoing intense process to remove bias. Accurate comparisons between sub-groups are assisted through standardised tests. They include data on ethnicity, socioeconomic status, special needs, etc. which helps in development of programs and services. Most parents approve of standardised testing and maximum students find it to be fair and accurate. Cons of standardised tests: The standardised test does not take into consideration the external factors and the results are based upon a single day’s performance. Many students do not perform well during tests but they understand the contents very well. Many develop test anxiety resulting in bad performance during tests. Many teachers teach only according to the tests which directly hinders a student’s overall learning abilities. The rising stakes for teachers shall result in an increase in such practices. The pressure to get the students ready for the exams results in negligence of teaching such skills that shall help them to go beyond the tests. These tests only evaluate the individual performance rather than the overall annual growth. Many have argued over this fact and thus the evaluation should take the overall growth of the student into consideration. Both the educators and students come under a lot of stress as a result of standardised tests. Many teachers have been found to quit their jobs as a result of such testing. Although the teaching is done by computers but the inceptions are done by teachers which may result for the questions to be of a particular style or state. But Asian origin students have performed well in the US making this argument vague. Misconception regarding kids with learning disabilities has been a concern. It has proved wrong as such students perform better under necessary support and motivation (Wehmeyer and Palmer, 2003). Tremendous pressure to raise the scores of the students of a school has diverted them towards negative measures like decreasing the recess time making a toll on the children’s social, emotional and academic well-being. Enormous stress on both teachers and students has resulted in negative health consequences of all (Abrams, Pedulla and Madaus, 2003). Despite such negative and disadvantageous factors the process of standardised tests has been successful globally making the schools to follow the system to enhance their students’ knowledge and skills. Prudent Use of Standardised Tests Considering the negative consequences of standardises tests the best way of resolving the same is the prudent use of standardised tests by taking into consideration the following few criterion: Ethical issues: The ethical responsibilities of the tests depend mostly upon the code of conduct that the professionals adhere to. All test takers are to be made aware of the purpose of such test and the assessment procedure should be done with strict confidentiality. Criteria for Selection: Selecting the appropriate test for a student is the most daunting task. Selecting the best should be done according to a strict model with some strict rules and guidelines. Fair and Valid Interpretation of Results: The test results are based on the interpretation according to the test manuals. All test takers find it tough to justify the interpretation of test results as the manual may be unhelpful, ambiguous and unclear. It requires a level of flexibility to get a fair and valid interpretation of the test results. Role of Standardised Tests in Assessment: The tests are required to be considered as a primary source and not just the sole source in the assessment of a student. It should not be used as the only one potentially useful source. Personal Reflection Standardised tests and high-stake tests should be promoted by all schools all over the world as they are a mirror to reflect personal performances. Although it has a number of disadvantages adding a negative vibe to the same yet the positives are way above the same giving the schools and institutions a reason to implement standardised tests in their learning and teaching process. These tests provide information where individual performance or group performances can be used in multiple ways. Conclusion The assignment concludes that standardised tests are any such test given to a large number of students at a time and under standard conditions along with a set of standardised procedures. After completing the research on this topic the assignment concluded that it should be used as a diagnostic measure by all. The study of the benefits and the advantages and disadvantages of the same makes the picture more clear and perfect for its importance in improving student learning and enhancing their skills and knowledge development. Learning should always be fun and providing ample opportunities to explore and discover new and exciting ideas. References Abrams, L. M., Pedulla, J. J., & Madaus, G. F. (2003). Views from the classroom: Teachers' opinions of statewide testing programs. Theory into Practice, 42(1), 18-29. Barksdale-Ladd, M. A., & Thomas, K. F. (2000). What's at stake in high-stakes testing: Teachers and parents speak out. Journal of Teacher Education, 51(5), 384-397. Brown, G. T. L. (2008). Conceptions of Assessment: Understanding What Assessment Means to Teachers and Students. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Meador, D. (2014). Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing. Retrieved on 25-12-14 http://teaching.about.com/od/assess/a/Standardized-Testing.htm O’Malley, K. (2012). Standardized testing. What is it and how does it work? Pearson: Research & Innovation Network. Retrieved on 25-12-14 http://researchnetwork.pearson.com/college-career-success/standardized-testing-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work Thompson, D. (2009). Why Standardized Testing is Important: in the homeschool environment, retrieved on 25-12-14 http://www.triangleeducationassessments.com/standardizedtesting.pdf Wehmeyer, M.L. & Palmer, S.B. (2003). Adult outcomes for students with cognitive disabilities three years after high school: The impact of self-determination. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, Vol. 38, pp. 131-144. Read More

Benchmarking of Performance: The tests help in understanding the performance of the pupils and setting a benchmark for assessing such performances. Screening: These tests act as screens in identification of students who are in more need of assistance including those who are more able or gifted. Diagnosis: The performance of a student can be diagnosed by comparing the student’s results on different kind of tests. By doing so the possible underachievement can be identified. Establishing a Baseline: The tests ascertain a baseline of skills, abilities and knowledge that students already have measured against the national or other school standards.

These baselines give the teachers a picture of the thinking abilities of the pupils in different context. Target-setting: With the indication of potential performance at a further date, the future targets can be set. Provide Evidence of Value-added: The progress of the students relative to their set baselines can be established easily. Evaluating Intervention: These tests are the reliable and independent ways of measuring the results of educational interventions in the form of new reading schemes or student mentoring programs (Brown, 2008).

Reporting to Parents and Others: The reports of the tests help to communicate the attainment and progress of the student to the parents and other senior leadership teams. Improving Teaching and Learning: The information gained through the standardised tests can be helpful in improving teaching and learning both at individual and group levels. Thus, the benefits of standardised tests clearly bring a picture of how it helps in the enhancement of student learning. Why Give Standardised Tests Standardised tests should be given by the students for the following few reasons: Regular assessment of students provides critical education and life-learning functions.

It highlights the efforts of teachers and students on grabbing important materials. Testing helps the teachers to know some crucial requirements regarding the needs and abilities of the students. Regular tests provide the students and parents regarding the knowledge building and learning of the child. Test-taking experience and facility is something that the students gain as an important skill which shall be very helpful throughout their lives. Testing does not only reflects the performance of the students but also are used to create changes in the classroom thus helping in strengthen the educational system.

Testing helping the gaps in knowledge. Tests encourage students to study. Pros and Cons of Standardised Testing Standardised testing has been a very controversial topic over the years, yet it has been identified to have various pros and cons which makes it important and brings it into consideration to be used as a measure to understand the impact it has on students learning and knowledge. The pros of standardised tests are: These tests hold the schools and teachers responsible and accountable.

This is considered as the greatest benefit of such tests as they are the people responsible for teaching students what are the requisites for such tests. The scores of the students become public records which may result in loss of job for the teachers and schools if they are not at par under intense situations (Meador, 2014). They give the teachers an idea of what to teach and when to teach resulting in less wastage of instructional time. They do not narrow the curriculum rather they focus on the important areas of basic skills which the students need to master.

It gives the parents an idea of how their children are performing as compared to the others in their area and schools. On a large scale it also helps in comparing the local area against the national landscape. It allows comparison between students from different schools, districts and states under the same parameters. The ability to compare data is invaluable and has been the main reason for the adaptation of the standards (Thompson, 2009). The set established standards provide the teachers with the guidance for what is to be taught, otherwise the students of the third and sixth grade would have been taught the same contents.

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