Argumentative Essay
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Liberty University *
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334
Subject
Industrial Engineering
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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2
Uploaded by UltraAtom12726
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Kaylyn Whitacre
LAN1100
11/6/2023
Education: Does standardized testing accurately show a students knowledge?
As we continue the practice of standardized testing we are learning that it does not
accurately track the knowledge of a student.
What exactly do standardized tests track about a student? Standardized tests assess
students memorization, and how well a certain student is at the action of test taking.
What these
tests do not accurately show a students true knowledge and intelligence of the material covered.
These types of tests and exams often invoke fear and anxiety into students. We as students are
told by our teachers that cramming as much knowledge into our head and spending hours upon
hours studying will truly help us succeed on these. However, endless studying sessions and
memorization actually turn our focus away from the material and on reaching for the goal of
success.
(“Are Standardized Tests Reliable Indicators of Intelligence?”)
When did our country start implement the practice of standardized testing and
examinations. The idea for this concept began in 1838 when educators began articulating ideas
for a formal assessment of a students achievement. Towards the end of World War 1 American
education was at the forefront of priorities with a wide variety of new testing instruments. In the
year 1900 college entrance exams were no longer rare, they were required by most every college.
This idea was endorsed by the NEA or National Education System just in time for the push of
new technology. All of this seemed to be a good idea until more recently in the 2010’s when
more and more studies came out showing a decline in students knowledge. In 2015 the ESSA or
Every Student Succeeds Act was passed in order to reduce standardized testing. However
2
assessments are still required statewide for grades 3-8 and once for those attending high school.
(National Education Association)
Is there any exam nowadays that truly show students’ knowledge and engagement in
class? There is but it is not really implemented in as many classrooms as it should be. The PBA,
Performance-Based Assessment, allows students the ability to be asked open ended questions by
their teachers respond however they feel is their best. This could be an essay, a poem, art, a
portfolio, or even a laboratory investigation. However, most teachers want to stick to the old-
fashioned way of drilling information into student’s and then have them cough up as much as
they can onto a test that gives them anxiety and fear of test-taking.
In conclusion, while there are more effective ways of standardized testing out there most
schools stick to their old ways. We can look at the studies upon studies that have been published
to see that standardized tests and exams give students nothing but anxiety and no true way to
show their knowledge.
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