make an essay about why standardized tests are *not* needed by using these 2 articles.
Article 1: Student Testing: The Stakes Are Rising
Testing allows schools and states to track student achievement. Schools can then evaluate how well students are performing over time, parents and the community can evaluate how well the schools are performing, and administrators can evaluate how well teachers are performing.
"Through testing we can evaluate the needs and progress of the students and our education reform efforts," says Massachusetts Representative Karyn Polito. "The tests are designed with the intention of having our children excel and be able to compete, not fail."
Critics wonder if these rigorous standards will cause students to become more disillusioned with the education process and inadvertently lead to an increased number of dropouts. There is currently no conclusive evidence that links dropout rates to graduation tests, but in some states with graduation exams, dropout rates are increasing. Numbers of students not graduating have jumped in North Carolina, Georgia, New Mexico, South Carolina and Texas. But in Milwaukee, where students take a rigorous test to graduate, there is a little evidence that the new requirement has had a negative effect on the graduation rate.
Some critics are also concerned about the effects of standardized tests on poor and minority students. A recent report by the National Research Council found that poor, minority students and those with limited command of English are "more likely than others to be placed in lower track classes or denied promotion or graduation on the basis of high stakes test scores."
WHERE DO YOU SET THE PASSING SCORE?
A significant concern for state lawmakers is how and at what percentage the passing score should be set, and who should set it. If the bar is too high, many students will not pass high school or be promoted to the next grade. If the bar is too low, then it doesn't encourage students to reach high levels of achievement.
THE HIGH COSTS OF HIGH STAKES
With the potential of an economic downturn, policymakers are wondering how they can continue to fund high stakes testing and accountability systems. States collectively spent $400 million this year to test students, according to a study done by Stateline, a national news organization focusing on state government. California spent $44 million, followed by Texas at $26 million and Massachusetts at $20 million. The type of test a state uses affects the cost. Off-the-shelf tests cost between $5 and $15 per student to administer. But states that choose to develop their own test aligned with state standards can spend from $25 to $50 per student.
A recent publication by the National Association of State Boards of Education reported that President Bush's proposal to test every student by his proposed 2004 deadline would cost states anywhere from $2.6 billion to $7 billion. The proposal originally included $320 million for testing, sparking concern among states over the cost they would have to shoulder under this mandate. Developing and administering a state exam is only one aspect of testing; states also need to fund the collecting and reporting of student and school performance data, and pay for remedial classes for students who do not pass the exam.
Article 2: No More TESTS!: CHALLENGING STANDARDIZED EDUCATION.
Ways of Learning
Take out your number two pencils, boys and girls—standardized testing season is upon us once again. Children's backpacks will be bursting with test-prep guides and practice exams, classroom calendars will be counting down until the big day, and parents will anxiously await that letter in the mail to find out if their children can advance to the next grade. Thanks to our country's renewed dedication to “high standards and accountability,” our children's education has been turned into a stressful marathon of boredom, superficial thinking, and, of course, filling in the blanks.
Few education “experts” seem interested in taking the advice of Albert Einstein, who warned that “Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.” In fact, our nation is busier than ever making sure there is a number attached to every child who walks through the schoolhouse gates.
Beyond the Bubbles: Learning without Testing
There is an imaginative, dynamic, and nurturing world beyond standardized testing waiting to take shape. The first question any testing critic is likely to be asked is, “Well, what do you do when you take away the tests?” The easy (and perhaps most accurate) answer is: “start learning.” But thanks to a near century of standardizing the education system, few schools actually know where to begin.
Upon accepting her award as the 2001 Teacher of the Year at a White House ceremony, Michele Forman remarked, “Learning and reaching is messy stuff. It doesn't fit into bubbles. I don't think a simple pencil-and-paper test is going to capture what students know and can do.” Networks of innovative schools are developing methods of assessment that not only allow- others to see what a student is learning, but even motivate kids to keep at it.
One common method of observing a student's progress without assigning a test score is the use of portfolios. A portfolio is a detailed collection of work that allows the student, teacher, and parent to witness how the student's thoughts and work ethic evolve over the months or years. Similarly, at many schools, students display their projects at exhibitions or “learning fairs.” Participants get the opportunity to look at each other's work, ask questions, and then use what they've learned to continue their own educational journeys.
Yet the deeper issue here is not “How can we best assess students?” but “How can we provide the best nurturing learning environment?” When the standardized curriculum leaves the school, the bumper sticker finally becomes true: The world is your classroom.
What exactly would students do without standardized tests? Here are a few ideas: write their own autobiographies, start a garden at their school, interview community members, create their own inventions, hold political debates, read the newspaper, keep a journal, go to a museum, start a book discussion group, or even create their own classes based on their common interests—all the things that no test could ever do for them. In general, the more creativity and student participation that can be added to the highly uncreative standardized curriculum, the better.
Standardized testing has become a controversial topic in the field of education. While some argue that it is necessary to track student achievement, evaluate schools and teachers, and ensure that students are prepared for the future, others believe that standardized tests are not needed. This essay will argue against the need for standardized tests by analyzing two articles that highlight the negative effects and costs associated with these tests.
The first article, "Student Testing: The Stakes Are Rising," raises concerns about the potential consequences of standardized tests. Critics worry that the rigorous standards set by these tests may increase dropout rates. While there is no conclusive evidence linking dropout rates to graduation tests, some states with graduation exams, such as North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas, have seen an increase in the number of students not graduating. However, the article also mentions that in Milwaukee, where students take a rigorous test to graduate, there is little evidence of a negative effect on the graduation rate. This lack of consistency and the potentially adverse impact on dropout rates raise doubts about the necessity of standardized tests.
Furthermore, the article highlights the disproportionate effects of standardized tests on poor and minority students. The National Research Council found that these students are more likely to be placed in lower track classes or denied promotion or graduation based on high-stakes test scores. This raises concerns about the fairness and equity of standardized tests, as they may further perpetuate educational disparities among different student populations. This undermines the argument that standardized tests are necessary for evaluating student achievement and ensuring equal opportunities in education.
The second article, "No More TESTS!: CHALLENGING STANDARDIZED EDUCATION," explores alternative methods of assessment that do not rely on standardized tests. The article argues that standardized testing restricts learning to a mere process of filling in the blanks and superficial thinking. It quotes Albert Einstein, who stated, "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." This suggests that standardized tests fail to capture the true essence of learning and intellectual growth.
The article suggests replacing standardized tests with more innovative methods of assessment, such as portfolios and exhibitions. Portfolios allow students, teachers, and parents to witness the evolution of a student's thoughts and work ethic over time. Similarly, exhibitions or learning fairs provide an opportunity for students to showcase their projects, ask questions, and continue their educational journeys based on what they have learned. These alternative methods not only assess student progress but also foster creativity, critical thinking, and student participation.
Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of providing a nurturing learning environment that goes beyond standardized testing. It argues that students can engage in activities such as writing their own autobiographies, starting a school garden, interviewing community members, creating their own inventions, or holding debates. These activities promote hands-on learning, curiosity, and student agency, which standardized tests often fail to foster.
In conclusion, the two articles provide compelling arguments against the need for standardized tests. They highlight the potential negative consequences, particularly regarding dropout rates and the disproportionate effects on marginalized students. The articles also shed light on alternative methods of assessment that promote student creativity, critical thinking, and active participation. By focusing on these alternative methods and creating nurturing learning environments, schools can move away from the limitations imposed by standardized tests and provide a more holistic and enriching educational experience for students.