Standardized Testing Rebuttal by: Missy, Sharon, Kim, and Kelly

Rebuttal Standardized testing has been scrutinized by many critics. This presentation should clarify some misconstrued perceptions of standardized testing

Rebuttal Some issues related to Standardized Testing 1. Assessment reform 2. Standards 3. Accountability

Assessment Assessment reform has an influence on school curriculum. (Gulbahar H. Beckette and Lionel Brown.) Standardized Testing measures –Student performance –Encourage change In staff Materials used to teach students

Standards All students, regardless of socioeconomic status, race or disability, should be expected to meet common standards that challenge them to acquire content and skills that are more than just minimum requirements. ( Survey done by National Board on Education states: –Teachers support State mandated test. –Feel test follows the curriculum all teachers should be following.

Accountability Standardized testing accounts for what students are learning. Compare student performance Who should be accountable –Teachers and Administrators. –Don’t play the blame game

Consequences of Removing Objective Accountability : Social Promotion Remedial Programs in college Increase in teacher grading (The war against standardized testing, Richard P Phelps.)

“Teaching to the test” As a result of the overvaluing of test results, the curriculum has narrowed.”(Nichols & Berliner, 2008) Teachers are teaching to the test. “Standardized test are used diagnostically not to be used as a curriculum guide.” Teachers should create curriculum around what is going to be tested. Teachers should focus on –Weaknesses. –Opportunities to excel. dized_testing.htm

Bias in Standardized testing Standardized test are not meant to be biased The Writers- are members of multicultural and multiracial groups. Item Reviewer-look for unfair materials to minority groups Item sensitivity committee- represent minority groups and focus on educational assessment materials that might be unfair to minority groups. Defending standardized testing By Richard P. Phelps( pg )

Conclusion The test were created to assess what the students know, how they are being taught the material, and how they compare to other schools. The test are also given to see what schools need to work on, to set higher standards, to teach the students in a way that they will learn the material not just memorize it. The Goal should be to teach students the skills they will need to prosper in the future.

References Phelps Richard. Defending Standardized Testing. Retrieved September 4 th,2009 from Views on Standardized Testing Retrieved from: esting.htm esting.htm Pros and cons of NCLB: What the research says Retrieved from: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Sharon L. Nichols and David C. Berliner, Educational Leadership, March 2008, Vol. 65, No. 6 Phelps, Richard(2003) Kill the Messenger: The War Against Standardized Testing: Retrieved September 8 th 2009 from