Marcus Goss

October 12, 2014

Perspectives 2001 RTA 4
Standardized Testing: For or Against
Characters
Marcus (Me) - A black male who disagrees with standardized testing and that it should not be a
factor is predetermining someones future or provide insight on actual educational effectiveness.
Taylor A white male who approves of standardized testing and that standardized testing also
provides feedback on a students knowledge and skills.
Setting: 11:45 a.m. Thursday morning Downtown Atlanta in a Starbucks store.
Dialogue
Both Marcus and Taylor, best friends, order their beverages and are sitting at a table near the
window.
Marcus: (Deep Sigh) Taylor, there is something that has been really bothering me lately.
Taylor: What is it? Talk to me. You know you can talk to me about anything.
Marcus: It just that I dont think standardized test scores are really a great predictor of student
success in college, in the military, or in the work force. I have had friends who didnt get high
scores on the SAT or ACT and have gone to college and done well. Now, they all have successful
careers. I feel as though some students are being penalized too harshly for one test that they have
to take early in the morning on a Saturday. Why just not get eliminate it?
Taylor: (Takes a deep breath) Well do you really want to know my position towards this issue?
Taylor murmured
Marcus: Yes, I would like to know where you stand.
Taylor: Well, for starters, I would have to disagree with you. A study completed by Richard
Phelps stated that standardized testing has shown a positive effect on student achievement. Not
only that, but standardized tests are reliable and objective measures of student achievement.
Without them, policy makers would have to rely on tests scored by individual schools and
teachers who have a vested interest in producing favorable results.
Marcus: (clears throat) That is an interesting standpoint. I never knew there was a study
conducted that showed standardized testing had positive effects on student achievement;
however, standardized testing has not improved student achievement. After No Child Left
Behind was passed, the US slipped from 18th in the world in math on Programme for
International Student Assessment to 31st in 2009 with a similar drop in science and no change in
reading. Also, to counteract your argument that standardized test scores has displayed positive
effects on student achievement, a study conducted by the Brookings Intuition found that 50-80%

of year to year test improvements were temporary and caused by fluctuations that had nothing to
do with learn term learning. In my opinion, I dont think standardized tests are objective. Journal
of Human Resources stated that scores vary due to subjective decisions made during test design
and administration. A significant change in the amount of Algebra and Geometry on a test can
alter the gap between black and white students. I also believe that standardized test scores are
discriminatory against non-English speaking students and special needs students.
Taylor: I didnt know the U.S. slipped that far behind in mathematics and science. I would also
have to agree about how standardized testing does discriminate against students with special
needs and also non- English speaking students. Special education students take the same tests as
other children with only receiving few of the accommodations usually provided to them as part
of their Individualized Education Plan, but how do you feel about teaching to test?
Marcus: That is a good question! I think teaching to test replaces good teaching skills and that
teachers are more pressured to teach to test since No Child Left Behind was leading to declines
in teaching and the amount of time spent on complex assignments.
(Both Marcus and Taylor sips on their coffee)
Taylor: I think teaching to test is a good thing because it focuses on the essential content and
skills which eliminates time wasting activities. If the teachers cover the subject material required
by the standards, then students will master the material on which they will be tested.
Marcus: Well, what if they dont master the material? Every student doesnt learn at the same
pace. Some teachers cram information into to students because they have a certain time frame
which causes some students to fall behind.
Taylor: I guess that it what after school tutorial and extra help from parents at home is for.
Marcus: Every student cant make it after school tutorial due to transportation problems and
family problems Im assuming. Also, it is hard for parents to help students with their school work
after coming home from their work shift. Some dont want to be bothered. Back when I was in
Elementary school, they had Homework Hotline where you could call and get help with just
about any subject.
(Taylor begins to think)
Taylor: Wow, I never even thought about that. How do they counteract that problem? I didnt
have a Homework Hotline when I was in elementary school. I think that it wouldve been
effective if implemented.
Marcus: (shakes his head) Honestly, I dont know. My only guess is that they fall behind which is
so sad. Do you feel like testing causing stress and anxiety for a student?
Taylor: Yes and No. I am kind of torn.
Marcus: (Takes another sip of his coffee) Why so on the fence?

Taylor: Because, I feel like sometimes students use it as an excuse because they didnt do well.
Granted, some students do have test anxiety, but some people like to play the test anxiety card
when they dont do well.
Marcus: I completely understand where you are coming from.
(Taylor gulps down the last of his coffee)
Taylor: Im glad that we can have talks like this. Taylor smiled.
(They both get up from the table and head to the door)
Marcus: It is always great to hear someone elses take on something. If it wasnt for you, I
wouldve never known about half the information you presented to me. I just hope as a nation,
we can move forth and help our students out the best way our country can.
Taylor: I couldnt agree more.
(They both walk out the door and get in the car)

Reference List
Kemmerling, C., & Hicks, M. (2005, January 1). The Pros of Standardized Testing. Retrieved
October 12, 2014, from http://astro.temple.edu/~mhicks/standardizedtesting.html
Popham, J. (1999, March 1). Why Standardized Tests Don't Measure Educational Quality.
Retrieved October 12, 2014, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educationalleadership/Why-Standardized-Tests-Dont-Measure-Educational-Quality.aspx
Standardized Tests - ProCon. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2014, from
http://standardizedtests.procon.org/#pro_con