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Explore the effects of mandated standardized testing on classroom teaching, curriculum quality, and student performance. Delve into the pros and cons, addressing disparities and challenges while advocating for improved assessment strategies.
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Nationally-Mandated Standardized Testing: Does it positively affect classroom instruction? By Jenn Elliot
Issue Identification • A Nation at Risk and Standards-based reform • No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 • Adequate Yearly Progress
Case for Nationally-mandated standardized testing • Higher standards • Previously basic skills tests provided “ceiling” of knowledge • Standards are to provide “foundation” • Improves teaching • Curriculum alignment • Eliminate the fluff • Improved quality of curriculum
Case for Nationally-mandated standardized testing continued… • Provides better objective data • Student grades are not reliable • More data • Improved testing • Test performance has improved
Critique • Standards are created but vary from state to state • Do we only teach standards that are tested? Is everything else fluff? • Data is not accessible and useful to all • Data does not show mastery of skills
Case against Nationally-mandated standardized testing • Losing higher level thinking, changing curriculum, and narrowing of curriculum • Teach skill and drill • Shallow thinking • Focus more on basic skills and only whats on test
Case against Nationally-mandated standardized testing continued • Losing valuable instruction time • More test taking time • Focus on “how to” take standardized tests • Non-tested subjects are pushed to the wayside and/or given little time
Case against Nationally-mandated standardized testing continued… • Inequities towards students of diverse backgrounds • Tests are bias towards racially and culturally diverse learners • Standards and tests are not the same goals for learning disabled learners
Case against Nationally-mandated standardized testing continued… • Test results do not tell what students have learned • Results are determined by “proficient” definitions defined by the state • Gaming of the system
Critique • Techniques used to “teach to the test” are not appropriate for schools. • Perhaps teacher knowledge about how to improve must be changed • Testing is a part of assessment and teaching • Disparities and inequities need to be addressed in all facets of education, not just the tests
My position: I believe… • Nationally-mandated standardized testing can have a positive impact on classroom instruction • Currently, many teachers and schools are putting up a wall to work towards school improvement and that may pose a problem to high student achievement
Reflection • Difficult to find articles relating to my specific topic because there is so much out there • Research and analysis is an amazing tool • Provided me with insight and knowledge about research