The Negative Effects of High-Stakes Tests Essay - 1396 Words

Visualize a standardized test taken annually by millions of students in the U.S.A. that directly affects teaching methods, school budgets, and grade promotion. Presently, millions of schools are utilizing high-stakes tests to determine these major factors. The United States expects students to perform well on standardized testing, or school districts will suffer financial consequences under the No Child Left Behind Act (Au 502). This places pressure on everyone from administrators to students in a school district. Schools worldwide are stressed to succeed on these standardized tests when they only measure a fraction of a student’s intelligence. Standardized testing must be discontinued because it negatively affects school curricula,†¦show more content†¦Currently, instructors are pressured by state education department to adjust school curricula to meet the expectations of the standardized test. Educators alter the curriculum to â€Å"match the [standardized] testâ⠂¬  (â€Å"How Standardized†). Therefore, instructors are limited and classroom instruction is focused around test preparation for the annual standardized test. Teachers are forced to abandon their creative lessons and â€Å"teach the test,† or concentrating only on the material that will be evaluated (â€Å"How Standardized†). This frequently involves taking multiple choice tests that are formatted identically to the standardized test and only memorizing facts, formulas, and items included only on the standardized tests (â€Å"How Standardized†). Even though test scores may improve, students are not learning how to think critically and perform better in other subjects that are not on the test (â€Å"How Standardized†). Instructional time is limited in the other subject areas such as science, social studies, music, and art. Instructors feel â€Å"handicapped† and plead to state officials abandon these standardized tests for the sake of th e â€Å"quality of the instruction in American schools† (Zimmerman 206). School curricula are being modified only to prepare students for a single test, not for education the students need in the future. Additionally, school teachers are facing a gargantuan amount of pressure to teach their students the information the students need toShow MoreRelatedHigh Stakes Testing Is An Educational Strategy976 Words   |  4 PagesHigh-stakes testing is an educational strategy that affects students, teachers, and society as a whole. The topic of high-stakes testing has been supported and discredited by many educators, politicians, and citizens. Nationally, schools are using high-stakes testing for a variety of reasons. The American Educational Research Association discussed high-stakes testing and issued a statement that read: Many states and school districts mandate testing programs to gather data about student achievementRead More The Negative Impact of High Stakes Standardized Testing1191 Words   |  5 Pagesbeen in use since the mid to late 1990’s. However the â€Å"high stakes† focus on standardized testing is. The practices that accompany standardized testing have long been in debate. Those in favor of standardized testing will argue that the testing creates a system that increases grades and accountability among teachers, students and school districts across the country. On the other hand those that oppose standardized testing will argue the ill effects that standardized testing can have on students, teachersRead MoreState Of Texas Assessments Of Academic Readiness Or Staar1430 Words   |  6 PagesResearch Paper Texas contains a lot of issues when it comes to its education policies. 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With these high expectations for standa rdizing test scores, teachers are promised large bonus incentives in return. In 2009, schools were given the option to apply for funding by The Race to the Top Fund, and these expectations cause teachers and students to have high stress and anxiety in standardized school testingRead MoreEssay on austin educationalissues1652 Words   |  7 Pagesthat currently exist in education include high stakes testing, common core curriculum, and the use of social media. High Stakes Testing Standardized tests are used throughout the country to measure student learning. High stakes tests are those used to measure students’ successes and failures. In the United States, high stakes tests are used for accountability purposes. These tests measure the success or failure of a school as a whole. High stakes tests have been a concern for America’s educationalRead MoreImportant Skills A Student Needs Help Learn For Their Future929 Words   |  4 Pagesalso need the skill to deal with difficult life issues. Students may be able to achieve academically, but lack what is necessary to cope with difficult life issues. Teachers have to abandon teaching students what is not related to the standardized tests, which then makes them lose sight of what is important for the students. A whole child is not simply composed of their intellect, but their emotional and spiritual well-being as well. According to Barrier-Ferreira, â€Å"A school must be about achieving