Essay On Standardized Testing

Standardized Testing is Hurting our Children. Standardized tests do not accurately measure a student’s intelligence and overall academic performance. There are many other things a student does during their school years that measure their intelligence, however, as a result of standardized testing they are put in a pass or fail category. A student who may have contributed or excelled on a one on one or hands on the test may have extreme test anxiety, or other various reasons for failure may fail a mandatory standardized test. Upon failure of this test the student may be punished academically by not being able to move on to the next grade level with his or her peers. This will ultimately affect the student throughout their school and college …show more content…
Many social studies classes and fine arts classes have been eliminated due to pressure put on teachers to revise their curriculum so that their students achieve a passing grade on the mandatory tests. An imperative part of a child developing critical thinking skills are lessons that involve fine arts. As reported in Edutopia “It has become a mantra in education that No Child Left Behind, with its pressure to raise test scores has reduced classroom time devoted to the arts (and science, social studies, and everything else besides reading and math).” (Fran Smith). The programs that have been cut are those that would have allowed children to express themselves artistically. Fine Arts classes allow children the freedom to “think outside the box.” In many States such as New York, Minneapolis, Chicago and Texas art education is being revived. In Dallas, for example “a coalition of arts advocates, philanthropists, educators, and business leaders have worked for years to bring art into all schools, and to get students out into the city’s thriving arts community.” (Fran Smith) The children who live in Dallas area are receiving a better-rounded, diverse educational experience from this