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ENG 112
Mrs. Carroll
24 February 2019
Like many other educators in the United States, Dr. Robin Haskel McBee, a member of
the Department of Teacher Education, realizes that testing is important, revealing the progress of
both the student and the teacher. “Whether any of us like it or not, improving student test scores
has become the central issue driving curriculum and instruction in the district and each of its
schools” (McBee). Standardized testing has provided a way to evaluate teachers; however, this
form of evaluation puts a lot of pressure on the teacher, often leading to questionable decision
making, loss of passion, and misdirected focus. This report will carefully evaluate both the
Implementing the use of standardized testing in education can be a very valuable tool if
executed in a practical manner. “Standardized tests are designed to show what students have
learned and retained in a classroom setting” (Wray). Because this testing is seen as a positive
way to gain academic achievement, many support it. Furthermore, “the two largest education
unions, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, both
accept standardized testing as part of American education” (Tech & Learning). Not only do these
tests reveal how well the students are doing, but they also hold teachers, schools, districts, and
states accountable (Bergmann; Youn). Without accountability, it is easy for people to become
lazy and indifferent. With standardized testing, however, the leaders in charge of education will
be more focused on how to better educate their students. President George W. Bush recognized
The No Child Left Behind Act is an accountability system meant to motivate teachers.
This is significant because “Teacher dedication and enthusiasm tends to promote student
engagement” (Wray). If the teacher displays enthusiasm in what he or she is teaching, the
students are far more likely to engage in what they are being taught; they are curious as to what
the excitement is about. When a majority of the class is focused on the subject at hand, the
reasonable result is improved understanding. Furthermore, this leads to better test results. The No
Child Left Behind Act is a way of ensuring that “all students receive a fair and equal chance to
achieve a first-rate education through accountability” as all the students are held to the same
standards (Wray). Standardized tests are used as a way to measure these standards and ensure the
students are reaching them. Both the teacher and the students feel the pressure of these
standardized tests. While the No Child Left Behind Act is valuable in some ways, there were
After observing the positive results of George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act,
President Barack Obama came up with the Race to the Top initiative in 2009. He believed that
this program would increase academic achievement and teacher motivation even more; however,
it did the exact opposite. “By attaching lavish rewards and harsh punishment to student test
scores, the system provides powerful incentives for cheating” (Tech & Learning). In 2009, Dr.
Beverly Hall was named America’s National Superintendent for showing the best leadership. In
2013, Hall and thirty-four other top administrators, principals, and teachers were indicted for
cheating to make it seem as if their students’ test scores were improving. “Cheating scandals
have been discovered in almost every major school district that has reported great
improvements” (Tech & Learning). Despite the circumstances surrounding this problem, many
Americans were still in support of standardized testing, including parents and educators. One
way this issue can be fixed is through better test security. Not only has this initiative increased
scandals, but it has also increased the pressure that teachers feel. Teachers have begun to put all
of their focus on preparing their students for these tests, which can have a negative effect on the
which consequently lowers their sense of a professional community and their commitment”
(Youn). As a result, many educators lose their passion for their jobs, often inducing a loss of
teachers.
Obama realized this issue and decided to take action. “President Barack Obama and the
Department of Education released a “Testing Action Plan”... aiming to reduce the prevalence of
standardized tests in U.S. public schools” (Anand). Obama understood that the overemphasis on
testing was taking away from valuable instruction time in the classroom. This plan is ten pages
long and calls for a limit on testing and for less class time to be taken preparing for these exams.
Some would say that these new guidelines would be a “shift from an emphasis on testing to
learning” (Anand). It is important that students have time to truly learn new information as tests
do not create improvement on their own. (Bergmann). Obama hoped only to use standardized
tests which were high quality, transparent, and enhanced “teaching and learning” (Anand).
Through President Obama’s “Testing Action Plan,” he was able to take a fraction of the pressure
off of teachers which was a result of his Race to the Top initiative.
The effect of standardized testing is a subject which could certainly use much more
research and evaluation as “Existing research offers inconclusive findings as to whether the use
of large-scale standardized tests lead to higher achievement” (Bergmann). While there are many
questions as to whether or not standardized testing is indeed the best way to evaluate both the
students and the teacher, the overall goal is success for the teacher. America wants teachers who
can successfully educate their students and help them reach their potential. This can be extremely
difficult to achieve under the pressure of government expectations; however, standardized tests
can be remarkably useful. Only further research can prove the most practical and efficient way to
Anand, Balaji. "Proposed Standardized Testing Regulations are a Positive Step."University Wire, Nov
https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/173052246
4?accountid=10163.
Bergmann, Eric W. An Examination of the Relationship between the Frequency of Standardized Testing
https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/162541300
2?accountid=10163.
"PROS AND CONS OF ASSESSMENT." Tech & Learning, vol. 35, no. 4, 2014, pp. 42-44. ProQuest,
https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/162556737
4?accountid=10163.
McBee, Robin H. "When it Comes to Testing, Why Not make Lemonade?" The Educational Forum, vol.
https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/220657917?
accountid=10163.
Wray, Jacqueline B. Principals' Perspectives on the Effect of Standardized Testing on Teaching and
https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/178931050
9?accountid=10163.
Youn, Minjong. "The Influence of Standardized Testing Pressure on Teachers’ Working Environment."
KEDI Journal of Educational Policy, vol. 15, no. 2, 2018. ProQuest,
https://login.proxy039.nclive.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/216337603
6?accountid=10163.