High Stakes Testing in Education: Essay

Total Length: 2019 words ( 7 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 4

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Because of this, students who had disabilities, low language proficiency, and who come from various ethnic backgrounds are viewed as such during the grading process. In addition, these kinds of assessments allow professors to not only assess whether the students have learned the subject matter, but also whether or not they have the skills to proceed in the academic realm. According to the Ohio Department of Education (n.d.), there are many types of assessment, including formal and informal that include everything from teacher observations to extended projects. By combining a variety of these formal and informal testing methods over an extended period of time using multiple assessors, students' predictions for success will be more accurate. This way, it is easier to determine whether or not students have learned the necessary skills and are ready to move on to the next level or obtain their degree. Although opponents of these ideas suggest that high stakes testing is the only way to be sure a "fair" assessment is given, evidence has already been presented suggesting that high-stakes testing is not fair for all groups.

Thus, high-stakes testing is not the answer to the assessment quandary in the public and private educational system.
High-stakes generally use standardized methods, which change the culture of the classroom environment to be more concerned about teaching the test than teaching the skills necessary for students to succeed -- critical thinking and connection-making. In addition, because high-stakes tests do not always promote those who are capable of performing at a higher level because they are from multi-cultural backgrounds or just happen to have a bad day. Finally, because high-stakes testing is not the only option for assessment and promotion in the educational realm, it is not necessary to rely on this method. By refraining from relying on it, it will be possible to change the classroom environment and better prepare all students for their futures. Thus, high-stakes should be placed, not on arbitrary tests, but upon a body of the students' work and impressions of educators. Although there is a place for standardized tests in data collection, allowing educators to determine how students as a whole -- in a class, school, state, or country are performing -- they should not be used to promote or graduate students......

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"High Stakes Testing In Education ", 12 August 2009, Accessed.3 July. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/high-stakes-testing-education-19994