Standardized Testing Argumentative Essay

So a student can write an okay rough draft instead of a crap one. Does this really mean they are smarter or even better at writing than anyone else? In standardized testing, kids are asked to read, organize, write, edit, and revise a full length essay, in the space of 60 to 90 minutes. Although some say that standardized testing is a good measure of a student’s abilities, it isn't because it ignores individual strengths of ability and creativity, doesn't teach students anything, and nurtures the president of "teaching to the test". Standardized testing is meant to get an idea of a school, district, or state's overall learning development in its students. Essays are graded by a machine, so an incorrect answer is any that doesn’t fit into the

More and more, in order to boost test scores, teachers are doing what is known as "teaching to the test". They know what the test will want, even if it isn't useful information, so they simply tell the students what they need to pass. The emphasis on standardized tests means that even if there is something interesting, useful, compelling or otherwise helpful to the student, it will be ignored because it is not going to be on the test. Most classes consist of taking tests, or preparing to take tests. With tests that teach hardly anything that is actually helpful to the student’s understanding of the world, this is not a good thing. The idea of standardized testing isn't all bad, however. It is meant to test basic skills in reading, writing, math and science. Just because someone has As in all their classes, doesn't necessarily mean that they can read and write proficiently. It can be used as a way to know if your hard working, solid GPA student is actually far behind where he/she should be. Also, it can be used as a way to measure an average level of learning, assuming that all the students are actually trying and not just filling in answers at random. The idea is there, but the execution is