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Why Our Schools Are Obsessed With Standardized Testing But You Don't Have to Be

Tyrone Powell

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Published in The Test: Why Our Schools Are Obsessed With Standardized Testing But You Don T Have To Be

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Standardized testing has become a ubiquitous part of the American educational landscape. From the SAT and ACT college entrance exams to state-mandated tests like the PARCC and SBAC, students are subjected to a barrage of standardized tests throughout their academic careers. This obsession with standardized testing has been driven by a number of factors, including the rise of accountability measures in education, the increasing emphasis on data-driven decision-making, and the belief that standardized tests provide an objective measure of student achievement.

The Test: Why Our Schools are Obsessed with Standardized Testing–But You Don't Have to Be

by Anya Kamenetz

4.3 out of 5

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While standardized tests can serve some useful purposes, there are also a number of serious problems with the current overemphasis on standardized testing. These problems include:

Standardized tests are not a good measure of student achievement. Standardized tests are designed to measure a narrow range of skills and knowledge, and they do not capture the full range of what students learn in school. For example, standardized tests do not measure students' creativity, critical thinking skills, or problem-solving abilities. Additionally, standardized tests are often biased against students from low-income families and students of color.
Standardized tests can lead to inequitable educational opportunities. Schools that are under pressure to improve their standardized test scores may be forced to narrow their curriculum and focus on teaching only the skills that will be tested. This can lead to a reduction in the quality of education for all students, and it can particularly disadvantage students who are not well-prepared for standardized tests.
**Standardized tests can be stressful for students.** The pressure to perform well on standardized tests can be overwhelming for students, and it can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Additionally, the focus on standardized testing can lead to a narrowing of the curriculum and a reduction in opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop their talents.

In light of these concerns, it is clear that we need to rethink our obsession with standardized testing. We need to develop new ways to measure student achievement that are more comprehensive and equitable, and we need to reduce the pressure that is currently placed on students to perform well on standardized tests. By ng these things, we can create a more just and equitable educational system that is focused on preparing all students for success in college, career, and life.

What You Can Do

If you are concerned about the overemphasis on standardized testing, there are a number of things you can do:

Talk to your child's teacher. Express your concerns about standardized testing and ask the teacher how they are using standardized test scores to inform their teaching. You can also ask the teacher what alternative measures of student achievement they are using.
Talk to your child's principal. Express your concerns about standardized testing and ask the principal what the school is ng to reduce their reliance on standardized test scores. You can also ask the principal what alternative measures of student achievement the school is using.
Contact your school board. Express your concerns about standardized testing and ask the school board to take action to reduce the emphasis on standardized testing in your district.
Support organizations that are working to reform standardized testing. There are a number of organizations that are working to reform standardized testing, such as the FairTest Education Action Fund and the National Education Association. You can support these organizations by donating your time or money.

By taking these actions, you can help to create a more just and equitable educational system that is focused on preparing all students for success in college, career, and life.

The Test: Why Our Schools are Obsessed with Standardized Testing–But You Don't Have to Be

by Anya Kamenetz

4.3 out of 5