Can Standardized Testing Cause a Negative Impact on Curriculum Design?
Bertha Marie Payne
University of West Alabama
The discussion has been raised many times in regards to the negative impact that standardized testing can have on curriculum design. Some feel that the time, talent, and effort that goes into curriculum design is tainted by standardized test guidelines. This paper points out areas that can be negatively impacted by the over utilization of standardized assessment concepts within the local schools’ curriculum design.
Problem to be Investigated
What causes standardized testing to negatively impact curriculum design?
Purpose of the Study The curriculum design team in my district have been faced with conflicts …show more content…
Students were looked at as numbers” (p.38). Curriculum design must be student-centered and student-driven, meaning that each step is based on meeting individual needs. A significant component of Common Core is the measurement development and measurement of critical thinking skills. Local schools must develop strategies that will methodically encourage the development of these skills. Most standardized tests have been designed for multiple choice selection. The problem is, multiple choice tests do not measure critical thinking skills and cannot identify the strengths and weaknesses of the thought process. Therefore, these tests hinder the measurement process and do not provide proper data (Breakstone et al., 2013). According to Erskine (2014), high-stakes testing is hurting many of the very students it aims to help. The most susceptible are minority children and children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The harm is created by limiting choices and narrowing the curricula to only tested items for the purpose of achieving higher scores on tests.
Teacher Creativity and Enrichment is …show more content…
Haddock commented on College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS). His opinion is that CCRS is the answer to what the business world is requesting however, he feels that an addendum should be added to the standards that would include project-based standards. The project-based standards would allow for students to experience more real-world connections. He concluded by adding that assessments will always be a part of our lives (i.e. driver’s license, credentials exams, etc.) but there needs to be more preparation for what is needed towards industry and even the arts. C. Haddock (personal communication, April 22,
Bertha Marie Payne
University of West Alabama
The discussion has been raised many times in regards to the negative impact that standardized testing can have on curriculum design. Some feel that the time, talent, and effort that goes into curriculum design is tainted by standardized test guidelines. This paper points out areas that can be negatively impacted by the over utilization of standardized assessment concepts within the local schools’ curriculum design.
Problem to be Investigated
What causes standardized testing to negatively impact curriculum design?
Purpose of the Study The curriculum design team in my district have been faced with conflicts …show more content…
Students were looked at as numbers” (p.38). Curriculum design must be student-centered and student-driven, meaning that each step is based on meeting individual needs. A significant component of Common Core is the measurement development and measurement of critical thinking skills. Local schools must develop strategies that will methodically encourage the development of these skills. Most standardized tests have been designed for multiple choice selection. The problem is, multiple choice tests do not measure critical thinking skills and cannot identify the strengths and weaknesses of the thought process. Therefore, these tests hinder the measurement process and do not provide proper data (Breakstone et al., 2013). According to Erskine (2014), high-stakes testing is hurting many of the very students it aims to help. The most susceptible are minority children and children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The harm is created by limiting choices and narrowing the curricula to only tested items for the purpose of achieving higher scores on tests.
Teacher Creativity and Enrichment is …show more content…
Haddock commented on College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS). His opinion is that CCRS is the answer to what the business world is requesting however, he feels that an addendum should be added to the standards that would include project-based standards. The project-based standards would allow for students to experience more real-world connections. He concluded by adding that assessments will always be a part of our lives (i.e. driver’s license, credentials exams, etc.) but there needs to be more preparation for what is needed towards industry and even the arts. C. Haddock (personal communication, April 22,