Schools focus more on the results they get back from standardized tests than the actual students learning. Students are put under extreme stress to perform well. Students are taught that the standardized tests are what will hold them back. Standardized testing needs to change, it goes as far as affecting students who do not have to take the tests. An example of this is a letter written by a 1st grade teacher in New York, her students have to deal with the consequences of a test that they do not even have to take. Standardized testing puts stresses on students and needs to change, shown by a first grade teacher proving that even her students are worried about standardized testing.
Standardized testing holds power over the students and teachers …show more content…
A teacher of a first grade class in New York tells us her view on standardized testing. Her students do not have to actually take any tests until the third grade, but they still feel the affect of the tests. The students that struggle to keep up in their classes miss out because the teachers that usually help them are busy with the tests for two week periods. The teacher goes as far to say that the students ability to learn has been “hijacked” from them. She then tells us that learning now is just not what it used to be. Students can not be as creative because almost every lesson is planned by someone outside of the classroom, making things boring for the “firsties”. The first graders are even preparing for the standardized testing academically. The teacher feels back because her coworkers rely on her to have the students ready from day one for these tests. One point this teacher makes is about the crazy preparations that need to be done. She says, “My students will take keyboarding in 3rd grade so they can take the tests online…BEFORE SOME OF THEM EVEN HAVE THE PHYSICAL HAND SPAN TO USE A KEYBOARD.” (Ravitch) Stories like this range all across the country, students have been beaten into submission with all the tests and regulations forced upon
Standardized testing holds power over the students and teachers …show more content…
A teacher of a first grade class in New York tells us her view on standardized testing. Her students do not have to actually take any tests until the third grade, but they still feel the affect of the tests. The students that struggle to keep up in their classes miss out because the teachers that usually help them are busy with the tests for two week periods. The teacher goes as far to say that the students ability to learn has been “hijacked” from them. She then tells us that learning now is just not what it used to be. Students can not be as creative because almost every lesson is planned by someone outside of the classroom, making things boring for the “firsties”. The first graders are even preparing for the standardized testing academically. The teacher feels back because her coworkers rely on her to have the students ready from day one for these tests. One point this teacher makes is about the crazy preparations that need to be done. She says, “My students will take keyboarding in 3rd grade so they can take the tests online…BEFORE SOME OF THEM EVEN HAVE THE PHYSICAL HAND SPAN TO USE A KEYBOARD.” (Ravitch) Stories like this range all across the country, students have been beaten into submission with all the tests and regulations forced upon