Herald homework: Standardized testing isn’t beneficial

Published 1:30 am Sunday, April 12, 2020

Standardized tests have become a part of American education since the 1800s; expecting better student outcomes. However, research shows these exams may not be beneficial.

Standardized testing should not be mandatory for students; because skills essential for success in school and life are restrained, the narrowing educational curriculums and the mental problems arising. Initially, the vital skills restricted by standardized testing: “teachers would be able to help their students’ development of “soft skills” if they didn’t have to center their teaching on drills for tests,” explains Standardizedtesting.pdf.

Soft skills combine people, social and communication skills. Since these abilities mostly are developed at school, it is unfortunate that teachers cannot proceed their students with this growth. Furthermore, these inadmissible exams narrow curriculums; Standardizedtesting.pdf elaborates this happening because “extracurricular” subjects are not in the test. Unfairly, most colleges even require 2-3 years of the same foreign language learned earlier to qualify for admissions.

Moreover, the mental issues tests give to students are atrocious: “Standardized testing can place a huge amount of stress on students and teachers alike … as well as feelings of negativity directed at school and learning in general” (Everettsd.org).

Therefore poor, struggling students repeatedly forced to take the exams continue believing they will never succeed in school. Opposing sides may claim standardized testing enables teachers to know students who are ahead or behind. This is true, but standardized testing inaccurately measures student performance. So the Everett Public School district should reconsider making these tests imperative.

Hannah K.

sixth grade

Bothell