In class the other day, we had a discussion on standardized testing is schools based on the TED Talks. I listened the discussion but never gave my input. As the semester goes on I will try to talk more and contribute to discussions. I would like to put my input into this blog that I did not get to say in class. I think standardized tests are necessary in schools for multiple reasons.
The first reason is content. If teachers weren't given standardized tests to follow, then they would focus only on what they liked to talk about. For example, in a history class about U.S. history, a teacher might really like and know a lot about the Civil War. He will teach a whole quarter on the Civil War if there was no standardized test instead of branching to all the other parts of U.S. history that are just as important to learn. Students will not be obtaining the full content of the course, but instead only the parts the teacher likes. This is taking away from the student and what the student will need to know for college classes.
The second reason is to keep the GPA's even. In some schools and class rooms, the teachers can be pushovers who only expect the bare minimum. With the standardized tests, students are pushed to compete with other students across the nation. A student in one school with a push over teacher will get an A with only little effort, whereas a student in another school will be taking the same course with a rigorous teacher and will put forth lots of effort but still receives a B. A standardized test will even out these scores because the student in the second class will most likely receive a better grade on the standardized test boosting his grade and thus leveling out the overall grades when colleges look at them.
I completely agree with both of your reasons. I have had a few classes which didnt have a standardized test at the end of the semester. This allowed for the professor to "not have enough time" to teach us the entire curriculum. They would simply select whatever they either a) felt most comfortable teaching or b) whatever would be the easiest to convey to students. I came from a school system that based grades off a 10 point scale. When I moved to Charlotte and found out that they used a 7 point scale i panicked. Knowing that where i came from i was able to get a 91 and receive and "A" in FL but a "B" in NC really perturbed me. I too wasnt very vocal about my thoughts on this subject. It usually takes me a few weeks to be able to open up in a classroom where I don't know the class. How do you think you will come to be able to open up more? What is holding you back from interjecting your thoughts?
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