How Does Standardized Testing Improve The Quality Of Education

Removing standardized testing would help improve the quality of education. Consider how many hours teachers spend drilling “tips and tricks” on boosting scores, how much schools pay for the tests, and how many colleges and universities reject eager students based on their scores. Where does the purpose of education fit into this slanted system? Although the purpose of education varies, most opinions share a common theme of applying knowledge and molding character to benefit the community. John Dewey states, “The purpose of education has always been to every one in essence, the same—to give the young the things they need in order to develop in an orderly, sequential way into members of society.” Most American high school students refer to the popular site, College Board, to stay updated about their journeys to college. The Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT), American College Testing (ACT), and Advanced Placement exams are comprised into this non-profit organization. College Board aims to provide a “successful transition from secondary education to college education.” The real question facing this testing system deals with students who do not do well on these exams. Do standardized tests really foster learning? Instead of standardized testing, the American Department of …show more content…
David Z. Hambrick of Michigan State University supports this by stating the “SAT is largely a measure of general intelligence.” Furthermore, he relates SAT scores with IQ scores. Hambrick fails to address what he means by general intelligence. What defines general intelligence? Most people perceive general intelligence as possessing more book knowledge in verbal and scientific skills. Intelligence breaks down into specific categories. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences lists and explains various intelligences. Throughout his theory, Gardner attempts to prove how people can have and gain more knowledge outside the