Standardized Assessments Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Standardized Assessments - Research Paper Example Standardized testing is a chief provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Standardized tests are often referred to as high stakes testing because the tests are utilized to gauge the proficiency of students against other students, teachers abilities are evaluated based on the outcomes of standardized tests, and schools are judged based on student’s scores from the tests. High stakes assessments are mandated by the NCLB and students complete these tests at different grade levels. High stakes testing is used to place students in selective course sections, rating schools against other schools, and influences merit pay for teachers. NCLB advocates believe that standardized testing is required to prepare students for the global economy, diminish inequalities in the school testing environment, and permit the execution of objective assessments. Introduction Standardized testing is a chief provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). Standardized tests are often referred to as high stakes testing because the tests are utilized to gauge the proficiency of students against other students, teachers abilities are evaluated based on the outcomes of standardized tests, and schools are judged based on student’s scores from the tests. High stakes assessments are mandated by the NCLB and students complete these tests at different grade levels. Standardize tests lead to appraisal of educators, appraisal of pedagogies, curricula, and schools (Crump 54). Unfortunately the NCLB is worsening, not resolving, the difficulties that induce numerous students to be left behind. (Guisbond and Neill 12) High stakes testing is used to place students in selective course sections, rating schools against other schools, and influences merit pay for teachers. The merit pay aspect of testing has enticed instructors to form their content delivery based on the high stakes to prepare their students to surpass other students. The consequences of this mode of i nstruction are not beneficial to the students but it is advantageous for the teacher whose students do well on the test. If a student is less than proficient on the test then it reflects on the teachers instructional abilities. NCLB advocates believe that standardized testing is required to prepare students for the global economy, diminish inequalities in the school testing environment, and permit the execution of objective assessments. History of No Child Left Behind The NCLB is a component of educational modifications that emphasizes basic skills, prescribed assessments, and high-stakes testing (Crump 55). NCLB legislation requires that schools be held responsible for student development. High-stakes examinations and mandated testing has become the principal instrument for assessing student progression. The goal of the NCLB is to verify that students have a equitable chance to receive a high caliber education and attain proficiency on state academic achievement metrics and state a cademic testing (Crump 53). The NCLB legislation beginnings occurred when the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was created. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, that created Title I, was President Lyndon B. Johnson's efforts with the War on Poverty and Great Society programs and the goal was aimed to improve educational prospects for disadvantaged students (Crump 55). Federal financial support for education curricula decreased during President Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980s. The importance in education switched to tougher academic metrics, additional course obligations, an expanded school day, and modifications in the preparedness of teachers (Crump 56). Title I was modified in 1988 and necessitated states to confirm the academic accomplishment of disadvantaged students by standardized test scores (Crump 56). Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds were then allocated to schools and districts of disadvantaged students based on the student’