Parent’s Point of View #111: Should I Prepare My Child for State Standardized Testing?

Ultimately, students and families don’t always have much say in what standardized tests they do or don’t have to take. That decision is generally up to schools, school districts, college admissions offices, and graduate and professional programs. But, no matter where you come down on the arguments for and against standardized testing, there’s a good chance you’re going to have to take a few of them throughout your education.

For low-income students, standardized tests often misrepresent the academic abilities of English Language Learner (ELL) students and students with special needs. Although testing accommodations exist, these tests are still designed with a particular student in mind. Opposers of standardized tests argue that anyone who deviates from that ideal, for whatever reason, is automatically at a disadvantage.

The apparent purpose of standardized testing is to create a standard. Proponents of standardized testing argue that some examinations outside of school curricula—which can vary widely by the school district—can help an education system better compare students from very different backgrounds because all these students took the exact same test. Measuring students against that universal standard makes it easier to evaluate and rank them.

One of the significant problems of standardized tests is eliminating social studies, foreign languages, arts, and music. The tests also hinder students’ writing skills development since most of the answers require multiple choices. The tests can also generative negative feelings in students concerning their abilities to excel in exams and life. On the other hand, teachers have to focus on good results rather than improving students’ understanding of all learning materials.

Standardized tests facilitate important academic milestones such as graduating to a new class. Unfortunately, they fail to accommodate students who demonstrate and learn academic proficiency differently. For example, a student could be poor in multi-choice questions but be excellent in writing. The tests also put a lot of emphasis on math, reading, and writing while neglecting other subjects. While the tests are fair due to applying the same evaluation methods, they do not consider some variables such as learning disabilities, language deficiencies, cultural conventions, and challenging home lives.

In the same way that standardized tests provide a standard to measure students, they can also help set more significant educational standards for schools across a state or country. Standardized tests make educational initiatives like No Child Left Behind or the Common Core more concrete by checking students’ academic progress. Superintendents and governments know to get involved if students in particular school districts struggle to perform at grade level.

Standardized tests prevent teachers from providing a broad curriculum, and instead, they end up “teaching for the exam.” Teachers may feel frustrated since these tests take a lot of their time during preparation and administration. They may also feel pressured by the administration or school to improve their tests scores. There are instances where teachers feel that the exams measure achievement rather than progress.

While standardized tests may help determine where your child stands in the education field, they don’t accurately represent their full potential academically and in other aspects of life.

Standardized tests impact the experiences and lives of students in many ways. They may help students to work harder and to feel empowered. On the other hand, the tests may lead to competition, anxiety, and stress. Teachers and parents should help students overcome stressful events for a positive test experience.

Our Kids on the Yard tutors provide individualized instruction that fits your child’s needs and learning style. We also offer excellent support and information that translates to success in their tests and assessments.