Are Standardized Tests Taking Time Away From Real Learning?
For many students, the school year consists of identical curriculums. Teachers use practice tests, quizzes, homework, and material to improve test scores throughout the year. However, are standardized tests causing students to rely on memorization rather than obtaining information?
Standardized tests are designed to give schools a consistent way to measure student performances. Exams like the SAT and ACT are used by colleges for admissions, state and district tests are used to progress in classes such as language arts and mathematics. According to Prodigy Education, standardized tests can highlight the areas that need improvement so that more time and funding can be implemented into certain programs.
The problem is that these exams start controlling what the teachers are teaching students. They feel pressured to teach according to the test and shift the instructions towards what students need for an exam and not as learners. This means that valuable time that could be used for learning is used on practice tests. While these resources can be beneficial towards learning, they are essentially for ensuring a passing score on end of course tests.
“Standardized tests offer a helpful way to measure learning across different schools, but they cause too much stress and favor students with more resources. They should be used as a simple background check rather than a final verdict on a student’s capabilities,” said junior Leilah Gonzalez.
The National Education Association argues that performance-based assessments allow students to demonstrate their knowledge through different activities like presentations, research papers, labs, etc. These assignments require students to apply what they have learned rather than just choosing an answer from a multiple choice list.
This difference can have a major effect on student engagement. When students are given the opportunity to collaborate with classmates and solve problems. Students are able to demonstrate their critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. They are able to apply this knowledge as well in real-world situations.
Alix Dominique, a middle school teacher at Pines Charter stated, “Standardized tests do not accurately measure what students know. There are a lot of factors that can cause a student to not do well on a test. The test can be biased.”
Standardized testing can affect students’ mental health and how they feel about school. Prodigy states that high-stakes testing can create stress and cause students to lose confidence in their academic abilities. A student that performs poorly may believe they are incapable of succeeding academically. Even a high achieving student can experience test anxiety and perfectionism as well with this high competition.
The Washington Post also highlighted several concerns with standardized testing especially when it comes to student engagement. If a student struggles with these exams then they may lose interest in learning or a specific subject.
However, standardized tests can still be very valuable to schools. The National Test Prep Association explains how exams like SAT and ACT assess skills that students will need in the workplace and life after high school. These include comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, mathematics, data interpretation, and communication skills. These skills allow students to understand complex concepts and make decisions based on the information they are given.
Standardized tests provide schools with academic performance and help identify areas where students need support. Testing allows institutions to evaluate students and whether they are prepared for further academics while looking for room to improve. They also allow for scholarships opportunities and a way to lower tuition. This is especially important for students that do not have the financial means to pay for college when they have exceptional grades.
The goal should be to use standardized testing in moderation rather than completely eliminating them. They can provide information about a student’s achievements, but should not be the only and most important way they are evaluated. When these texts are combined with presentations, projects, labs, and even other forms of assessments, schools can get a better outlook into what students can accomplish.
