Source: introf10sou.wikispaces.com
This blog lists some of the problems with high-stakes standardized tests, or those in which the results are used to determine possible benefits or punishments. They include, but are not limited to, teachers focusing only on subject areas that will be on the test, cancellation of art programs, the pressure placed on educators to produce good results, and disadvantages for English language learners.
Source: tcdailyplanet.net
As the accompanying article discusses, standardized tests do not take into account all the people who have to take them. Everyone is different and everyone learns in different ways. One of the populations standardized tests do not consider is students with special needs. As mentioned in the article, an excelling student can be incorrectly categorized as failing. And for the parents of these students, these tests feel like “one more slap in the face” by restating what they already know.
Source: indianahistory.org
The above comic supports the accompanying article, which discusses the debate of standardized testing. According to the article, standardized tests are associated with teacher and school performance, leading to the possibility of teachers getting fired and schools closing. For this reason, teachers focus on testing, rather than teaching. They prepare students for taking tests, rather than teach the material of the class, ultimately hindering the students for the future.
Source: campusexplorer.com
This visual shows different facts pertaining to standardized testing. It discusses the question of whether standardized testing is fair. As stated above, standardized tests are created in a way that is constant, no matter who is taking it. However, as the statistics listed show, there are many factors, external and internal, that affect a person’s ability to do well on a standardized test.
Source: S. Jhoanna Robledo
The images above are from a protest that occurred in New York on April 11. Many of the protestors are principals, teachers, parents, and students who are against the state’s emphasis of standardized testing.
http://www.npr.org/2014/02/18/277059528/college-applicants-sweat-the-sats-perhaps-they-shouldn-t
Source: www.sacredheartpgh.org
The article above compares students who decided to apply to schools that did not require SAT or ACT scores with those who sent their scores to colleges.
Source: speedbump.com
The artist makes a statement by creating a high school that is solely focused on a standardized test. “It was inevitable” shows that the artist believes this is what our education system is moving toward.
http://www.npr.org/2014/04/09/299073572/an-education-reporter-puts-himself-to-the-standardized-test
Created by Carol Simpson
An education reporter attempted to take a standardized test himself. He continues to discuss core-aligned tests that will replace the state exams.
Source: classroomstruggle.org
In October, a panel of educational leaders discussed standardized testing as a part of the Education Nation Summit. A superintendent of Montgomery County Schools in Maryland was very outspoken. “The problem is today we are using them only solely for accountability purposes, linking student test scores to teacher performances,” Joshua Starr said. His take on testing introduces a new view of standardized testing: its impact on teachers. We tend to only focus on the effect testing has on students, but it also places a lot of pressure on teachers.
Created by Peggy Monahan
The picture above visually represents the difference between teaching students for the sake of their education and teaching students for an exam. Teaching for the sake of a student’s education will leave them will knowledge on several topics and the opportunity to be creative. On the other end, teaching for an exam will leave students with the memory of filling in answers on their answer sheets.
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