Why Standardized Testing Is Important
How would colleges compare two students from different states without standardized test scores? Standardized tests should be taken very seriously across the United States for many reasons. Teachers, students, and parents must understand the importance of these tests and recognize the positive outcomes of this process. This will overall improve the awareness of a student’s growth and strengths, giving every child a better understanding of their plans. Many people who oppose this standpoint believe tests are too stressful for children and that class time is being consumed by monotonous test preparation. Children can often feel confused about their future and these tests help them take one step closer to their goals. Standardized testing across the United States plays an important part in our education system by offering students official test scores, assisting in college acceptance, eliminating teacher biases, providing children with test-taking skills, and developing a sense of time management.
First, standardized tests are not designed to degrade or punish a student; they are simply arranged to measure many forms of achievement. A student must also be responsible for looking at his or her measure of growth. Tests are aimed at comparing past and present scores in every area of education. This can also show if a child perhaps has a slower learning rate than most children at his or her age. In this situation, teachers and parents can make arrangements to help that person. Standardized test scores are easily correlated to how a student performs in school. If a student fails a certain test, many schools can help said student advance in that subject by offering extra help. Once the student has improved, he or she can retake the test to, hopefully, raise his or her score. In many states, a passing score on a standardized test is required to graduate high school. In Pennsylvania, the Keystone Exams are one component needed to earn a high school diploma (“Keystone” par. 2). Standardized tests such as these are not only designed to expand a person’s knowledge but to assist in graduating high school.
Second, colleges need a basic understanding of what a future student’s strengths and weaknesses would be. In a study conducted by Jessica P. Marini in the Relationship Between Operational SAT Essay Scores and College Performance, there is a significant relationship between a student’s Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores and his or her First Year Grade Point Average (FYGPA) in college (15). This is a helpful comparison that can assist many colleges in accepting new students. In a certain case where a college can only accept one of two applicants, how would they fairly compare his or her academic standings? If standardized tests were eliminated, individual school districts would be the only judge of a student’s ranking. This would lead to unfair conditions and favoritism. Testing needs to be a national requirement to help students, teachers, and colleges.
Third, teachers are hired to teach to the best of their ability and further their students’ education. Individual schools could evaluate their teachers, but ultimately, this would lead to biases. School districts could lie about its teaching methods to maintain positive feedback. With standardized tests, policymakers can measure a teacher’s effectiveness by a student’s test scores (Baker 1). With fairness aside, this also evaluates if a teacher is teaching effectively and accomplishing his or her job. Schools can use this information to assess how to arrange their teaching staff. This is the best way of being fair towards all school districts and will give students the best education.
Fourth, standardized test-taking can help develop skills that are used in everyday life. Tests could be given at a school district level, but this does not give the students a chance to compare their abilities to other students across the nation. Higher-level education demands certain skills that may not be taught at every high school. With many modern standardized tests, the content reflects areas of college-level work. These tests are designed to focus on critical skills that are needed for college and future careers (Marini “Student” 3). Any test requires preparation, feedback, and responsibility. These are abilities that need to be practiced in order to improve any area of work. Most high schools prepare their students for bigger tests by teaching and reviewing each subject throughout the entire school year. Other high schools offer electives that are based on reviewing for specific tests. A student does not have these advantages outside of school. He or she must learn to prepare themselves for any upcoming event. Once the tests are completed and graded, the next step is receiving the feedback. Constructive criticism is crucial in every area of life. Once a person is out of school, he or she needs to take responsibility for their actions. It is a tragedy for students to not take advantage of learning these three skills when in high school.
Another asset that is learned, alongside test-taking, are time management skills. Time will always be involved throughout our lives. Any job will involve time-oriented tasks, some as simple as showing up on time. All projects throughout college are expected to be turned in on a certain date. In The Secrets of College Success, it is stated that time management can help to decide which commitments need to be prioritized, how much time to dedicate to that, and how to pace oneself throughout the time frame (Jacobs and Hyman 77). Standardized testing is one of many ways of practicing time management at a young age. It all starts with paying attention in class to be aware of due dates. Time management can start with turning in homework on time but can also help in developing a good work ethic and a proper schedule. At the beginning of a school year, a list of test dates is announced. It is the responsibility of the student to pace his or her studying throughout the entire year instead of procrastinating until the night before. Procrastination can be very draining on top of the overwhelming sensation of taking a test. It is most beneficial to start developing smart time management skills earlier in life rather than later.
Many people should be aware of this issue because there are people who oppose taking standardized tests. Anti-test takers believe that standardized tests deprive the students of confidence, encourage a strict teaching method, and underestimate other student abilities. These tests are designed to test students in many areas. It is common for a certain person to have better scores in one section compared to another. This is all evaluated to show students what their advantages and disadvantages are. There are options available to every person who wishes to improve their test scores. There are free opportunities to take practice tests and review lessons on the College Board website (“SAT Practice” par. 2). If a student puts in the time and effort to raise their scores, their confidence should not be a problem. Each teacher has a teaching style. No matter the topic, the teacher will always have a task to complete by the end of the year. The standardized tests neither encourage nor discourage strict teaching. Teachers are evaluated based on the improvement of the students; not how high their scores are. That means each teacher has a deep concern for the students no matter how smart they are. Some abilities are needed in any level of education or the workforce. As said by Carolyn Lieberg in The Official SAT Study Guide, “The world needs more people who can use their thinking skills to solve problems, communicate clearly, and understand complex relationships” (3). These understood to be the most needed skills to succeed in the future. Other abilities are helpful but are not as important as those tested. There is far more research supporting the use of standardized testing and the counterargument only states opinion-based arguments.
Standardized test-taking will always be an issue concerning any level of education. It is an issue that should be taken seriously by students, teachers, and college administrators. Without standardized testing, schools would have an increase in difficulties. The process of testing offers students official test scores, assists in college acceptance, eliminates teacher biases, provides children with test-taking skills, and helps develop a sense of time management. With the future in the hands of the current students, it would benefit society to consider this issue significantly.
