FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 12, 2015

Taylor Jones
PR Representative
610-585-1564
taydjones13@gmail.com
www.umdrightnow.umd.edu

UMD Professor explores the standards of standardized testing in his newest book
Hanson reveals truths and opinions surrounding standardized testing
COLLEGE PARK, Maryland -- As a high school student enters their junior year, they
immediately feel the pressure of the looming SATs, ACTs and subject tests. The numbers they
receive on these standardized tests will define them in society. Not only will it decide where
they go to college, it will determine the type of person they will later become in life. These
students become their scores.
With the extreme emphasis put on standardized testing in America, this is the type of
mentality society has come to adopt. F. Allan Hanson, an anthropology professor here at the
University released his book Testing Testing: Social Consequences of the Examined Life that
delves into American societys addiction to tests. Hanson uncovers the hidden consequences that
these test produce as well as gives his opinion on the subject.
Hansons American view
Taylor Jones
| A#5testing
Press Release | p. 2
Hanson recommends that America should eliminate integrity testing,
and drug

should only pertain to those who are suspects of drug use.

The American preoccupation with testing has resulted in a panoply of techniques
dedicated to scanning, probing, weighing, pursuing, and recording every last detail of our
personal traits and life experiences, Hanson (more)
said.

Hanson reports progress with breaking away from the traditional mindset. He notes that
some established college admissions boards in the United States no longer require the inclusion
of aptitude testing scores along with their applications. He does agree that tests which measure a
students ability to express what they have learned in class or mastered in a job are useful, and he
formulates that in the future, there will likely be a better way to discover more detailed
knowledge of each individual.
The effect on youth
The professor argues that tests that predict behavior and aptitude can have unintended and
undesirable consequences. Instead, IQ scores become life sentences for children and dictate the
path society thinks they should take in life. According to the test results, children fall under
certain categories, Where they are then treated, act and come to think of themselves according
to the expectations of associated with those categories, Hanson said.
In todays society, the basis upon individuals evaluation is their test results and not their
skill set, or their potential or the knowledge they already possess.
University of California published Hansons book, and it is available by contacting
Denise Cicourel at UC Press, 2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720.
For more information, visit http://www.ucpress.edu/ or contact the UC Press at
800-343-4499.
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