“Standardized tests have been a
part of American education since the mid-1800s. Their use skyrocketed after
2002's No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated annual testing in all 50
states.” (Procon.org, 2013). The
big question among so many educators is, are standardized tests benefiting
American children? I believe it is important to do a multitude of assessments.
It is important to do authentic and formal/standardized assessments. Some students
may not show what they have learned through a standardized test. I know growing
up that I had a lot of anxiety when tested formally and never showed my true
potential. I was very lucky to have teachers that used authentic assessments;
observed me in the classroom, looked at projects and homework, and did teacher
created assessments. Assessments are needed in classrooms for teachers to know
if students have mastered what is being taught. Sometimes a teacher thinks he/she
is teaching content the best way possible but in reality the students do not
understand and he/she needs to change the approach. The move to pay teachers
based on standardized test scores is concerning to me. I do not believe
teachers’ pay should be a reflection of this. I do understand some of the
thought process to having standardized testing, but is important that all areas
are being assessed on the same level and the same information.
I chose to research standardized
testing in China. I chose China due to their known high scores on tests. In my
research I found that China puts a lot of emphasis on standardized testing. A
great example of this is the Gaokao standardized test. This test is taken very
seriously. It determines whether or not a student will attend college. If a
student does not do well on this test he/she will not be attending college.
“Chinese teenagers spend 8-10 hours a day for four years in preparation. High
School in China has one purpose: test prep. There is no curriculum outside of
the test (which tests math, English, Chinese, as well as a chosen subject like
chemistry or political correctness). There is no life outside of the test. It
is a high stakes, No Child Left Behind dream” (Levy, 2011). I found that in
China schools put a lot of emphasis on memorization and standardized testing.
Teaching just to a test…is this really helping the Chinese culture?
Procon.org. (2013). Is the Use of Standardized Tests
Improving Education in
Levy, M. (2011). What I learned from China’s Schools.
Retrieved from
