The Truth About Standardized Testing
Children’s education is one of the most important and pressing matters in countries all over the world. Everyone wants the best education for their children. The question is though, “What path is the best?” The big push right now is for students to use standardized testing, in order to get the most out of their education. However, some parents and government officials are skeptical as to whether standardized testing is really helping the in the war against poor education. Some are radical enough to say that standardized testing is destroying some children’s education. Then there are those who think that standardized testing is the next best thing. But who is right? The statistics, concepts, and reasons of standardized testing all point to one direction. Standardized testing is the best resource that the education system can use to create the best learning environment possible for their students.
Standardized testing’s statistics explain why it is a helpful tool for students. Lauren Camera brings the statistics in her article ‘Parents Support Testing’ by saying, “The survey also found that 29 percent of parents believe standardized tests ‘put too much stress on my child’ and another 43 percent believe the tests are stressful but that the stress is manageable.” (Camera) These statistics show that many parents have faith in the standardized testing system, and that everything their children are going through is manageable. Parents have been in their children’s shoes as well, so it is fair to say that the 43 percent who say it’s manageable have a good idea what they are talking about. Parents want what’s best for their children and to protect them. This statistic reveals that the majority of parents side with standardized testing, which is a big consideration since they have a much better view on their child’s goals/needs then their teachers do. “Another instance is an approaching major examination which leads a college student to double time on studying and reviewing of lessons.” (Sincero) In the article Ms. Sincero wrote, she addresses how stress can improve performance especially students in school. This quote shows why the stress of standardized testing won’t just be manageable for students but will help their scores improve. Standardized testing may have a way to go, but the path it is on is the right one.
The concept of standardized testing shows people how it should be used, and why it is a great resource for students and their parents. “Children attend schools that use testing to set goals and measure progress rather than consider it a punishment. The school regularly share test data with me (a parent).” (Gandy) What Mrs. Gandy is trying to show us is that the concept of standardized testing, when used properly, is a great benefit to the students and the parents. If teachers, students, and parents all get on board with standardized testing, then the original concept can be properly used, and their children’s education will increase in value. “They can and must take the tests, so they know if they’re mastering the critical skills they are learning from great teachers and great classes, skills they’ll need to pursue the college and career of their dreams.” (Gandy) Mrs. Gandy gives a phenomenal explanation on why these students need to take the standardized tests. If everyone gets on board and work together, the goals of this country’s students will be much more achievable. If everyone embraces the concepts of standardized testing, students and teachers will be able to use it in a more effective manner.
The reason for standardized testing is to bring forth the best learning environment and to provide the best growth for the students in schools. Through all the debates and arguments about “why standardized testing is good” and “why standardized testing is bad” people lose sight of the reason why they chose this path all of those years ago. “We need hard, objective information on school and student performance, and the best available evidence comes from standardized tests.” (Churchill) Mr. Churchill has written several articles about the real reasons behind standardized testing. In this quote we see his logic regarding the sense of need for standardized testing in order to keep schools and students accountable for their work. “They can and must take the tests so we know if they’re mastering the critical skills they are learning from great teachers and great classes, skills they’ll need to pursue the college and career of their dreams.” (Gandy) This summarizes the reason as to why the students in our countries should continue to do standardized testing. To opt out of it would put their career and life goals in jeopardy. If schools, students, and parents embrace the true reasoning behind standardized testing, then we will be able to take advantage of its true potential.
Standardized testing is no new thing. It has been around for decades and has progressed and gotten better as the years have gone by. If the schools, parents, and students stop fighting the continuation of standardized testing then they may very well be able to continue to push standardized testing to new potential and continue its growth. The statistics of standardized testing’s past show that there is still room for more growth in its efficiency and effectiveness. The concepts show what can still be gained if we continue down the path of standardized testing. Finally, the reasoning behind the driving force of standardized testing shows why we need it, and what should be done with it. The future of this country's children is one of the most important matters being debated today. Everyone needs to come together to use the standardized testing as the tool it was made to be and create an outstanding learning environment for their students. Standardized testing is the best tool that schools can use to bring forth the best out of their students.
