Testing is overdone in today’s schools. According to The National Center for Fair and Open Testing (Fair Test) “Widespread opposition to the overuse and misuse of standardized testing is producing a marked shift in attitudes about high-stakes assessments and, increasingly, state and district practices,” the report states. “Across the nation, assessment reform activists are winning important victories in reducing the amount of testing and ending high-stakes exams.”
April has become the month of standardized tests. However, many schools begin to prep for these test months before.
Testing Purpose
The original purpose of standardized tests was to improve instruction. However, it has become a way to make teachers accountable. But, the test itself is not the problem. It is the misuse and/or overuse of tests that is the problem.
Today, testing has led to an inflation of scores. Inflated scores do not provide an accurate picture of a student’s performance. In addition, the pressure to raise scores through practice takes away regular teaching time.
Today’s curriculum is intensive. Teachers spend about 30 percent of their time on prep and testing. Also, they found that it was not uncommon for districts to have at least 30 tests a year in a grade. This fact is a known stress factor in students.
According to a NEA member survey, 70 percent agreed that state standardized tests in their particular grade is not developmental appropriate. And, only 13 percent said that the tests students took met that particular standard.
With the concern of over testing in the schools, and accountability pointed to the teacher, many think testing is excessive. It burdens both teachers and students. Many schools test more to set benchmarks. In doing so, the benchmarks monitor progress before the state test is given.
Schools must find ways to eliminate over testing and keep classroom instruction pure. Schools must create well-rounded students and not students that are focused on testing.
