Is High Stakes Tests Necessary Essay - 1870 Words

According to the Glossary of Education Reform (http://edglossary.org/high-stakes-testing), high-stakes tests are designed to measure student achievement and to determine whether a student is intelligent enough to advance in education. These tests can come in many forms; although the SAT and ACT are considered the most common examples of high-stakes tests in America, any test used to make important decisions about a student can be considered a high-stakes test. For example, students giving oral reports in front of a faculty panel to receive their diplomas would be taking a high-stakes test. However, because these high-stakes tests can only be taken a few times at most, and because these tests are supposed to accurately represent a student’s ability in the classroom, many students report anxiety before these tests. Because higher levels of test anxiety may be associated with lower test scores, one question arises: is high-stakes testing truly the most accurate way to assess a student’s ability in the classroom? To answer this question, researchers have begun to explore an alternative to high-stakes testing: low-stakes testing. Low-stakes testing is also used to measure student achievement; however, these tests are not typically used to make important decisions about students. I argue that low-stakes testing should be implemented in schools in hopes of lessening student test anxiety and encouraging long-term retention of course material. Many have criticizedShow MoreRelatedDefinition And Understanding Of High Stakes Tests Essay1114 Words   |  5 Pagesnumerous definitions of what a high stakes test is. This is probably due to the fact that its application encompasses educators (teachers and learning institutions), schools, and students. Therefore, in this regard, it is understandable that its authoritative definition differs from one quarter to another. However, according to Wolinsky (2014), a common definition and understanding of high stak es tests refer to testing that has serious implications for the person taking the test. The Glossary of EducationRead MoreEssay about High Stakes Testing1323 Words   |  6 PagesHigh Stakes Testing In 1997, President Bill Clinton stated that the United States needed, â€Å" a national crusade for education standards - not federal government standards, but national standards, representing what all our students must know to succeed in the knowledge economy of the twenty-first century†(http://books.nap.edu/books/0309062802/html/13.html). The way to succeed in this journey is through standardized testing that results in consequences for teachers and students. ThroughoutRead MoreThe Debate Over High Stakes Testing Essay1003 Words   |  5 PagesThis article, What Do Test Scores In Texas Tell US? by the Rand Corporation looks at the pros and cons to high stakes testing in Texas. High stakes testing was meant to improve academic scores and motivate teachers, but unintended concerns have risen. Professionals and the media question exactly how beneficial these test are, and if we should continue to use them. Texas was looked at because students had made huge strides in statewide testing. Gains in Texas Assessment and Academic SkillsRead MoreHigh Stakes Testing And Statewide Standards1159 Words   |  5 Pages High-stakes testing and statewide standards The Department of Education concludes that high-stakes testing and statewide standards puts too strain on both the teacher and student. Multiple studies show evidence of miscalculation of scores, teachers being blamed for low test score, and too much time spent on preparation for the tests. The purpose of this policy brief is to elaborate on the non-beneficial components of high-stakes testing and statewide standards. Thus, peer-reviewed research articlesRead More High Stakes Testing Essay1205 Words   |  5 PagesHigh Stakes Testing Albert Einstein once stated, â€Å"not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.† High-stakes testing attempts to determine the knowledge a person has obtained throughout grades K-12. These standardized tests are being used to judge a person’s ability to graduate from high school and also judge if a child has enough knowledge to proceed to the next grade level. Throughout this paper, I will be discussing how these tests do not accuratelyRead MoreThe No Child Left Behind Act1420 Words   |  6 PagesMany stakeholders’ in public education are seeking solutions to produce high achieving students who graduate ready to embrace technological challenges. One solution for many stakeholders’ seems to be high stakes testing. High stakes testing is an educational reform where decisions are based on individual student performance, teacher performance, and school performance. The tests are usually performed as an end of course or end of grade assessment after completion of the curriculum. The No ChildRead MoreEssay on austin educationalissues1652 Words   |  7 PagesEducation Introduction There are a number of critical issues and controversies in K-12 education today. While there is always room for improvement, the federal and state education departments are continuously developing plans and mandates to make necessary changes. In America, education is available to all, no matter ability or disability or socioeconomic status. The public education system in the United States allows people of diverse backgrounds to come together. However, the educational system inRead More The Negative Effects of High-Stakes Tests Essay1396 Words   |  6 PagesVisualize a standardized test taken annually by millions of students in the U.S.A. that directly affects teaching methods, school budgets, and grade promotion. Presently, millions of schools are utilizing high-stakes tests to determine these major factors. The United States expects students to perform well on standardized testing, or school districts will suffer financial consequences under the No Child Left Behind Act (Au 502) . This places pressure on everyone from administrators to students inRead MoreHigh Stakes Testing Environment Is The Overwhelming Consensus Of The Failures Associated With Special Needs909 Words   |  4 PagesAnother issue arising for students developing educationally in a high-stakes testing environment is the overwhelming consensus of the failures associated with the testing in meeting the needs of the economically disadvantaged and the students with special needs. As high-stakes testing became the prevalent norm for Texas and the U.S, supporters were adamant that this testing provide new opportunities for those students in the highest risk of failure. This new level of accountability would reportedlyRead MoreThe Video Discussions : No Child Left Behind1217 Words   |  5 Pagesimportance attached to outcomes, where high-stakes testing remains the basis by which student success is defined (Ravitch, 2014). Second, measuring student progress has historically been a prevalent fe ature of the American public education system with respect to policy and practice. However, the underlying assumption of present accountability systems is that attaching consequences to education reform will elevate student achievement (Hursh, 2010). Using high-stakes assessments to retain/promote students