1

Standardized Testing

University of the People

EDUC 5220: Curriculum Design and Instructional Decision Making

Dr. Sansone

August 2, 2023
 2

Standardized Testing

Standardized testing is a set of norm-referenced examinations administered to students,

which are frequently used to rank schools and teachers. Students must take the same test with

the same questions, have the same amount of time to complete the test, and the school is given a

range of dates in which the test must be administered. The only exception for having the same

amount of time is if a student is on an IEP and has an accommodation of extended time. If

students do not take the test during this time frame, the school will be dinged for a failing score.

A standardized test must be given in a consistent manner. Before teachers can proctor the test,

they must be qualified and have completed a training course. Any materials on display in the

classroom must be removed or covered if it will give any help to the test. If a teacher fails to

follow the testing protocol, they may be fired, and the school district may face disciplinary

actions. My district placed para professionals in the testing classrooms so there were two adults

in the room in case a teacher was accused of cheating by the state. Is standardized testing really

worth the countless time and money spent on it?

Positives of Standardized Testing

Standardized testing generates benchmarks and averages, allowing parents and teachers

to assess how their child compares to other children his or her age. The tests may aid in

determining the child's areas of strength and weakness. This may allow the child to obtain extra

assistance in school. However, my district relies on other more reliable and accurate assessments

to determine which students need additional services. Standardized testing can help schools and

instructors identify which standards need to be addressed more effectively as a grade or district.

Standardized testing is not biased because it is graded by machines or strangers. It is also a

 3

precise method of accessing all students on the same content to determine what they know and

don't know (Pros & Cons of Standardized Tests, 2019).

Negatives of Standardized Testing

One of the most significant disadvantages of standardized testing is the amount of stress

it places on kids and teachers. A student should not be judged based on a single two-hour test,

and teachers' assessments should not be based on a single two-hour test. There are numerous

unforeseeable elements that could prevent a student from succeeding. Some instances include:

parents/guardians arguing before school, the loss of a pet, not eating breakfast, being a nervous

test taker, not getting enough sleep the night before, and so on. None of these factors are taken

into account. Some students are exceptionally intelligent yet poor test takers. While some

students may just be lucky guessers and end up scoring well. A low grade might have an impact

on a child's self-esteem.

Standardized testing involves assessing a child and assigning a rating to the district based

on a single evaluation. It does not demonstrate the child's progress throughout the course of the

year. Some teachers wind up "teaching to the test" rather than diving deep and teaching for topic

understanding. Only academic skills such as math, reading, and writing are tested using

standardized examinations. It excludes communication, creativity, problem solving, cooperation,

technical skills, and other topics. Standardized testing is extremely expensive for the school

district. That money should be going to hire more staff, update curriculum, update the

playground, purchase new technology, etc. (Pros & Cons of Standardized Tests, 2019).

My Perspectives

Standardized testing does not sit well with me. I recognize that it has a purpose and can

provide useful information to parents and teachers. However, many parents are only concerned if
 4

their child passed or not. I would have a different opinion if the test results were simply utilized

to guide learning and improve teaching. However, I disagree that their entire academic year is

reduced to a two-hour test that takes into account nothing from their lives. I also believe the test

is a disadvantage towards lower-income families. Because low-income families have not been

exposed to as many things as middle- and upper-income families, some of the background

information required to pass the test may be lacking. A limited background is not the child’s

fault, but will count against them if they miss the question.

My Milieu

My school administers two state-mandated tests. My opinion is irrelevant. I don't like

administering tests, and I don't like wasting time taking them. However, if I want to keep my job,

I must administer the tests. The first required test is the AIR test for grades 3-5 in elementary

school. Depending on the grade, Language Arts, Math, and Science are assessed (Ohio’s State

Tests in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies | Ohio Department of

Education, n.d.). Here is a sample question from the Third Grade Language Arts AIR test:

(Sample Test Items and Practice Tests | Ohio Department of Education, n.d.)
 5

Many third graders would not be able to read petitions, governor, mysteriously, burglary, and

aquarium. This test question is already stacked against many students who may have never seen

or heard these words.

In conclusion, standardized testing does have a role in education. However, I believe the

results are being applied inefficiently. Standardized testing can provide valuable information

about students' learning and curricular gaps. However, these assessments should not have such

sway over students, teachers, and districts. Teachers are continually differentiating their lessons,

tests, and resources, but the state throws all of that out the window and assesses everyone

uniformly. In reality a teacher understands more about their students than a standardized test

result ever will.

 6

References

Ohio’s state tests in English Language Arts, mathematics, Science and social Studies | Ohio

Department of Education. (n.d.).

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/Ohios-State-Test-in-ELA-Math-Science-Social

Studies

Pros & Cons of Standardized Tests. (2019, May 28). GradePower Learning.

https://gradepowerlearning.com/pros-cons-standardized-tests/

Sample test items and practice tests | Ohio Department of Education. (n.d.).

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/Ohios-State-Test-in-ELA-Math-Science-Social

Studies/Sample-test-items-and-practice-tests