Standardized Assessments Advantages And Disadvantages

Assessment Today In today’s classrooms, assessments are used regularly in a variety of manners. Educators use formative and summative assessments, standardized assessments, progress monitoring assessments, benchmark assessments, and grade specific assessments to check for understanding, determine present levels, measure growth or mastery, and guide and plan instruction according to students’ results. However, there are disadvantages to using assessments, such as, anxiety for students, teachers only teaching to the test, and time consuming. One of the disadvantages to testing is the anxiety and stress it causes for students and teachers. Summative assessments, benchmark assessments, and standardized assessments can cause a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety on students because of the vast amount of information compiles in the assessment in a variety of forms, as well as the time restraints. Students may feel rushed or pressured to complete the assessments in a given amount of time that they are unable to focus on the content of the test. Other students may feel nervous about the number of questions compiled in the assessment. On the other hand, teachers are stressed because standardized testing reflects on their evaluations of effectiveness. Teachers do not get a second chance to have their students retake the tests. Standardized tests are given in a specified amount of time on a specific day, regardless of environmental factors that may be affecting the students on that day. Teachers are anxious because their evaluations are dependent on a one-day snapshot of students’ performance, not the growth or progress of the student over the year. Another disadvantage of assessments is that some educators “teach to the test.” Teachers can be accused or found guilty to only “teaching to the test” to assure that they receive the evaluation they feel they deserve. By only teaching to the test, learning, as well as teaching, can become boring. Teachers lose their creativity and love for teaching. They no longer incorporate the fun and engaging activities to teach a skill or content area. Instead, teachers keep instruction cut and dry to what is on the assessments. Teachers neglect to teach skills beyond the test, such as taking time to address teachable moments that encourage students to be respectful and responsible citizens in the community. The last disadvantage to assessments is the time needed to create assessments, administer, and grade. In order to create a valid and reliable assessment, an educator must take time. Assessments are not a “one-size fits all.” Teachers spend countless hours creating assessments that are differentiated to meet students’ needs. Assessments are …show more content…
Teachers, students, and school districts need to be held to a certain level of accountability. Teachers’ evaluations are based on students’ performance, which reflects on the teacher’s effectiveness. Assessments keep teachers on their toes and constantly evaluating and reflecting on their instruction. Students are taught study skills and held accountable for learning and studying, which will benefit students when they reach the college level. School Districts are also held accountable to review assessments and assure students are receiving the appropriate education aligned to standards. Districts can use assessment data to determine which curriculums and/or programs that would benefit students at different grade levels and ability levels. Assessments are also important to gather data on students’ specific grade level benchmarks and understanding of skills and content