Aashiana Patel

March 21, 2019

UWRT 1104
Studio 4

Cox, Elaine. “Standardized Tests: Making Our Students and Teachers Sick?” U.S. News &

World Report, U.S. News & World Report, https://health.usnews.com/health-

news/patient-advice/articles/2015/11/16/standardized-tests-making-our-students-and-

teachers-sick Accessed 11 Mar. 2019.

This is a reliable website highlighting the health risks associated with standardized testing

as well as the overall debate surrounding the effectiveness of standardized testing.

Although standardized testing initially began as a way to equalize students and give all

students a level chance at success standardized testing has led to an increase in test-

anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of self-esteem. After seeing the results of standardized

testing evaluating the positives and negatives of standardized testing and correcting the

negatives will likely be more effective. Supporting teachers and allowing them to find

fulfillment and enthusiasm in educating students rather than teaching to test would likely

lead to more enthusiasm from both teachers and students.

Elaine Cox is the chief medical officer of Riley Children’s Health located in Indianapolis.

Along with her background in health she also instructs as a professor of clinical pediatrics

at the Indiana School of Medicine. Her health background as well as her background as a

professor give her a good point of view on the overall effectiveness of standardized

testing and the health risks associated with it. Based on Cox’s personal connection to

teaching I would say that this is a reliable news source. The purpose of this news article is

to inform people about the negatives associated with standardized testing. The audience

for this publication would be students, teachers, parents and anyone else concerned about

the U.S. education system. This publication is different from other sources I have cited,
 because it is also concerned with the health risks associated with standardized testing and

is written by someone who works in the medical field.

This source has been very helpful as it has helped me identify more negatives associated

with standardized testing. Looking at standardized testing and the negative health benefits

that are associated with it has strengthened my argument and made me realize that

standardized testing can even impact things beyond education. This is the only source

that talks about health risks and therefore is different from other sources listed above. For

this reason, it is likely that this source will appear in my project.

Strauss, Valerie. “No Child Left Behind: What Standardized Test Scores Reveal about Its

Legacy.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 10 Mar. 2015,

www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/03/10/no-child-left-behind-what-

standardized-test-scores-reveal-about-its-legacy/?utm_term=.b74b7c294fce. Accessed 10

Mar 2019.

This is an article from a widely known news outlet that describes the limitations that

come with standardized testing. This article highlights that the No Child Left Behind Act

has failed to raise scores as a result of curriculum narrowing. Other problems have also

resulted because of the increase in standardized testing, such as cheating scandals and

pushing low-scorers out of school. The article also takes a look at standardized testing by

race, income and gender.

Valerie Strauss is a reporter who focuses on covering education and foreign affairs. She

has also investigated education issues on the local, state and federal levels. Her

commitment to education can also be shows as she has attempted to hold both Republican

and Democratic policymakers accountable during administrations. Strauss’s experience

dealing with education makes me believe that this is a reliable source. The purpose of this

news article is to inform people about limitations of standardized testing. The audience

for this publication would be students, teachers, parents and anyone else concerned about

the U.S. education system. This publication is different from other sources I have cited,

because it gives specific statistics that relate to standardized testing and also shows how

the results of standardized testing can differ depending on race, gender and income.

This source fits into my research because it explains that standardized testing is

negatively impacting U.S. education. This source increased my understanding of this

topic, as it described standardized testing has its limitations and is impacting overall

learning. This source was unique from others, as gave statistics about standardized testing

and described how issues such as race, income and gender also play a role in education. I

will likely use this source, as it gives specific statistics about standardized testing that I

can use to build my case.