In a one- to two-page essay, evaluate the effectiveness of standardized tests. Make sure to present both the benefits and drawbacks of standardized testing

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary but may include:
a. Benefits of standardized testing include: many tests align with acknowledged learning goals and measure progress toward those goals, administering the same test to large numbers of students allows for comparisons to be made and resources to be allotted where they are most needed, standardized tests are cost-effective because they are administered and scored uniformly, without testing on a grand scale there is no way to make sure schools and teachers are accountable
b. Drawbacks of standardized testing include: the results are often misused, the tests are often poorly constructed, they often reduce the curriculum, there is inadequate evidence to show a correlation between raising scores and increasing learning, test-taking skills have an undetermined effect on raising scores, low-income students predictably score below students with higher socioeconomic status, teachers generally support standards but undue pressure can undermine productivity, they don't measure other important concepts