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Jacob Pincus

Mrs. Laura Pettay

ENG 111/112, 4B

29 March 2017

The Academic Challenge

Standardized tests are either the most objective or worst creative tests administered by all

50 states. The idea of standardized testing began in the early 1800s and is now used to promote

academic achievement in schools and institutions. However, there is a controversy on the use of

standardized tests in America with regards to a students abilities. While some may believe that

this is a fair, objective test administered to all students, others argue that excessive testing

undermines America's ability to produce innovators and critical thinkers (ProCon). The issue

with standardized testing is whether or not they are reliable and objective measures of a students

performance and achievement.

Some people believe that standardized testing has not improved student achievement nor

has it been an accurate measure of their performance in school. For example, Lynn Olson, a

managing editor of special projects for Education Week, showed that the Brookings Institution

found that 50-80% of year-over-year test score improvements were temporary and caused by

fluctuations that had nothing to do with long-term changes in learning" (ProCon). In other words,

Olson is arguing that student performance cannot solely be determined by a standardized test.

Furthermore, some students and professors claim that instruction time was consumed by

preparation for testing. To take a case in point, Diana Schemo, an author for the New York

Times, explains that students at Monterey High School were prevented from discussing the first

anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks because they were too busy with standardized test
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preparation (ProCon). Since students are also focusing class time on studying for standardized

tests, this also may lead to severe stress on teenagers. For instance, students in secondary schools

review for an SAT and ACT exam during their junior year. Because these tests are heavily

weighted when examined by colleges, students produce anxiety that is inexplicable. In addition

to the actual test producing fear, there is also the cost. I agree that the cost for standardized

testing is inconvenient as I have taken the SAT and ACT exams. Some students that are anxious

to take a test are not confident in themselves. In other words, the level of anxiousness leads them

to believe that they are wasting money. Also, standardized testing can be discriminatory against

non-English speakers and students with special needs. Valerie Strauss, an author for the

Washington Post, expresses that English language learners take tests in English before they

have mastered the language (ProCon). Essentially, Strauss is saying that test administrators are

not producing a test that can be comprehended by some students. In conclusion, standardized

testing is far from objective, and is not beneficial to students.

I have always agreed with the use of standardized testing as being an impartial test given

to all students. Not only does testing reveal our academic achievements, it also is very objective

for colleges to examine for admission decisions. Along with improvements in academics,

standardized testing has also assisted our economy. David Kamens and Connie McNeely, two

authors of Globalization and the Growth of International Educational Testing and National

Assessment, observes that education has long been characterized as a central requirement for

national economic development and political democratization in the contemporary world.

Kamens also mentions that benchmark testing is an efficient way for countries to review their

strengths and weaknesses in the education system. My discussion of standardized testing is in

fact addressing the larger matter of our economy. Consider professions such as physicians,
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lawyers, real-estate brokers and pilots. A requirement to practice in one of these areas is to pass a

high-stake standardized test to ensure they have the necessary knowledge for their professions

(ProCon). Donald McAdams, author of "Enemy of the Good, says that if standardized tests

were an unreliable source of data, their use would not be so widespread (ProCon). What

McAdams really means by this is that testing is very useful for furthering a students education,

and if this was truly not necessary, then the government would have eliminated testing. Strict

standards and increased testing better prepare students for college and the workforce by

producing accurate information necessary to assess a students performance and achievement in

school.

Ultimately, what is at stake here is whether or not standardized testing benefits the

student and accurately portrays their academic performance in school. Since standardized tests

have been administered for a long period of time, it would not be advised to officially throw out

the idea of testing. A factor that is important to consider when dealing with testing is the cost.

However, Herbert Walberg, the author of "Stop the War Against Standardized Tests, uses a

statistic explaining that standardized tests cost less than 0.1% of K-12 education spending,

totaling $5.81 per student per year (ProCon). There is no way that standardized testing would

ever come close to what American jurisdictions spend on education. When arguing against

standardized testing, observing the cost-benefit analysis is something to think about, however,

the benefits of completing the test outweighs the cost by providing more education for the

student in their future.

At the same time that I believe standardized test do produce anxiety for many students, I

also believe that it is an objective way for colleges to evaluate ones academic performance.

Americans today tend to believe that more creative thinkers are not allowed to express
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themselves on tests. The idea is that there can be one test administered throughout the United

States that will provide an objective standard for higher professionals to judge. This is the only

non-discriminatory way to look at peoples academic achievements. In conclusion, then I believe

that standardized testing should remain part of our education system.

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Works Cited

Kamens, David H. and Connie L. McNeely. "Globalization and the Growth of International

Educational Testing and National Assessment." Comparative Education Review, vol. 54,

no. 1, Feb. 2010, pp. 5-25. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu

Accessed 27 Mar. 2017.

ProCon. Background of the Issue - Standardized Tests - ProCon.org. ProConorg, 2 June 2016,

standardizedtests.procon.org/. Accessed 24 Mar. 2017.