Standardized testing has been around for a long time and recently, these tests have been on the rise. There are many advantages that standardized testing has to offer which can be very beneficial for schools. One of the main reasons why standardized testing has become so popular is because these tests provide a fair chance to all individuals. These tests feature “multiple-choice or open-ended questions; some tests combine both,” and all of the tests are designed with consistent questions coming from similar content areas (Concordia Online Education, 2016).
Therefore, standardized tests are not biased and are objective in nature. The tests assess students based on a set of consistent questions that are intended to provide an unfiltered measure of what an individual knows. Not only are the questions consistent, but educators have no influence whatsoever when it comes to standardized tests. A majority of the time, the tests are scored by computers or blind reviewers, meaning there is no relation to the student and grader.
In fact, “it requires a trained examiner to administer and interpret its scores” and most individuals who proctor the exams are specifically told they are not allowed to answer any questions regarding the content on the test (Feeney & Freeman, 2014). Therefore, there is no room for biased grading procedures and/ or the influence of educators on these exams, providing an equal chance to all students. A second advantage of standardized testing is that the tests are typically accompanied with a set of established standards which provides educators with clear instructional framework.
Instructional framework provides teachers with guidance to help them determine the necessary material that needs to be covered and when it needs to be covered. This is extremely important because without instructional framework, “a third grade teacher and a sixth grade teacher could be teaching the same content” (Columbia University Office of Work/Life, 2013). Established standards hold the school and educators accountable. Therefore, teachers are motivated to work more effectively which can significantly improve time management within a classroom and simplify wasted instructional time.
Instructional framework is also important because it keeps students within a certain educational range. For example, if a student were to leave a school district and transfer into a new school district, students are more likely to be under the same standards which keeps students from moving ahead or falling behind the curriculum. Established standards “outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade” (Addison & McGee, 2015).
It is important that educators understand the material within the established standards so that they can focus and expand on certain educational topics to provide students with a solid understanding of information, preparing them for future education and the standardized tests that are yet to come. A third advantage of standardized testing is that the results of standardized tests provide an easy and accurate comparison within the school district and often times, outside the school district, both locally and nationally.
According to Dylan Wiliam, “tests are designed for a variety of purposes, and their results are used in a variety of ways” (Wiliam, 2010). Once schools receive the results of individual performances, it is easy for administrators to compare the results to observe the content areas that need improvement. Schools also use the scores to analyze the performance levels between other sub-groups such as students from different ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses.
The results of standardized tests can help to better identify areas of strength and weakness which help schools develop programs and implement the correct educational services to improve and build upon the scores within certain content areas. Comparability is a major component that standardized tests have to offer. Most parents and guardians want to know whether or not their child is meeting the set standards for not only the school, but often times if they are meeting nationally set standards as well.
It is common for districts to label student performances and separate the performances into different categories along the lines of advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic (Sacks, 1999, p. 129). Often times, students are rewarded if scores fall within the advanced to proficient category. On the other hand, students may be required additional schooling or work if scores fall within the basic to below basic category. Not only do school districts use scores to measure students’ performance levels, but standardized test scores are also used for teacher evaluations as well which can be very beneficial for schools (Addison & McGee, 2015).
Therefore, teachers are often more motivated to teach and participate in support services that will improve the overall scores of students. Standardized testing can benefit education systems in a variety of ways. By receiving the results of standardized tests, schools can work towards implementing certain programs that will aim to help improve overall scores, giving the school and teachers an overall well-known reputation. Even though there are many advantages of standardized testing, standardized testing continues to spark major controversy.
