What Are We Really Testing?

Standardized Testing

Introduction

     Standardized testing is common in today's society. From school achievement to job advancement, standardized test are used to measure a person's ability, skill, and intelligence. Often standardized tests are the main determinant in advancement in many areas of our lives.  Most people have taken some for of standardized tests one at some point in their lives, Math, IQ, ACT, and the written driving tests are all examples of standardized tests. Experts question whether standardized tests really give the testers information on a person's abilities/intelligence, or does it give them information on the the person's memory skill. 

Opinion

     Standardized testing has its place, but it should be only a small part of the whole picture. In addition to standardized testing, it is important to consider other aspects of the person's knowledge and skills. Standardized testing is valuable for gathering statistical information but, not for a complete evaluation of a person's abilities.

Definitions

• Standardized Testing

  • Any test that conforms to set standards.

• Intelligence

  • The mental function of a person.

   

Links

• Student Education Policies and Procedures

• Standardized Testing and Reporting Results for California

• Princeton Review

• Oklahoma State Department of Education-testing

• Standardized Test Preparation

• Oklahoma Higher-Education

• Biased! What Standardized Tests Cost America

References

• Goldhaber, Dale. Theories of Human Development. California: Mayfield, 2000.
• Smith, Deborah. "Is too much riding on high-stakes tests?" American Psychology Association 32 Dec. 2001: 11.
• Walker, Barbara. Diagnostic Teaching of Reading. New Jersey: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall, 2004.