Maryam Arnaout

Ms. Shane
English II 3A
2/17/24

Is Standardized Testing Good or Limiting Potential?

Standardized testing has long been a argumental topic in the world of education, with many

arguing that it does more harm than good. One of the main issues with standardized tests is that

they usually measure only a specific set of skills and knowledge, leaving out important aspects

of a student's abilities. This can create a one-size-fits-all approach to education and put

unnecessary pressure on students to do well on these exams. In essence, it limits the way we

define success and can slow down student growth and development.

Moreover, standardized testing often leads to a "teach to the test" mentality among teachers,

where they focus more on drilling students with test-taking strategies rather than encouraging

critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “Such tests reward quick answers to superficial

questions. They do not measure the ability to think deeply or creatively in any field. Their use

encourages a narrowed curriculum, outdated methods of instruction, and harmful practices such

as grade retention and tracking.” (Fairtest, 2012). This implies that standardized testing can

restrain creativity in the classroom and restrict students' ability to think outside of what is

required for the test. Additionally, standardized test scores are often connected more to a

student's social background than their actual academic abilities, which creates inequality in the

education system and disadvantaging students from oppressed communities.

However, it's important to recognize that standardized test scores usually reflect a student's

background and resources more than their actual academic abilities. “For children from the

bottom 20 percent of the income distribution, only about a quarter of them take an SAT or ACT
test. Among those, only about 2.5 percent score 1300 or higher. You can see right there what

we’re up against in terms of economic inequality in college admissions and success in college

and in life.” (Liz Mineo, 2023). This shows that a difference in treatment can create unfair

hurdles for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who could struggle to achieve high

scores due to factors beyond their control. It's clear that our current testing system may not

accurately reflect the actual potential of all students. That's why we need to adopt a more

justified and inclusive approach, one that recognizes the diverse strengths and talents of every

studentt. By shifting our focus away from hard-lined standardized tests and towards more

personalized evaluation ways, we can create an educational environment that actually values

the unique abilities of every student, giving them the opportunity to succeed on their own terms.

In conclusion, standardized testing is not the best way to estimate student achievement and can

have negative and inaccurate conclusions for both students and schools. It is crucial to try an

find alternative methods of assessment that better reflect the diverse abilities of students and

encourage a more well-rounded approach to education. By moving away from reliance on

standardized tests, we can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment that

encourages the growth and success of all students.

References:

1) Mineo L. (2023). Opportunity Insights researcher notes how opportunity, preparation

differences begin early, play major role in success, suggests possible solutions. The

Harvard Gazette.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/11/new-study-finds-wide-gap-in-sat-act-test-

scores-between-wealthy-lower-income-kids/#:~:text=DEMING%3A%20For%20children

%20from%20the,percent%20score%201300%20or%20higher.

2) Jerald, C.D. ( July, 2006). Teach to the Test? Just Say No. Washington, DC: The Center

for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement. www.centerforcsri.org.

3) No author. (2023). What’s Wrong With Standardized Tests?. Fairtest.

https://fairtest.org/facts-whatwron-htm/