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Community Corner

Ask a Teacher: Standardized Testing

How much value is there in standardized tests?

Q: Do you ever see a great discrepancy between students’ standardized test performance on a test like the STAR test and their ability to perform well on homework and projects? How do you see the STAR test in terms of a measure of what a student has learned or what a teacher has successfully taught?  
– Sherry R., San Ramon

A: Depending on whom you talk to regarding this question, you will get much different answers. The majority of teachers don’t see a lot of value in a test like the STAR test or other standardized tests. Honestly, many teachers feel they must “teach to the test” in order to prepare their students. This can mean that teachers have to stop their normal teaching to better prepare students to be successful on an upcoming standardized test. 

So, teachers who really teach to the test and give students drill after drill of practice tests may have students who perform better on these tests. Does that then bias their scores? 

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On the flip side, a teacher who continues teaching the grade level curriculum as normal may have students who do poorly on standardized tests because they haven’t practiced, practiced, practiced!

Most teachers would also point out that since testing usually occurs in April or early May, there are usually at least six teaching weeks left in the school year. Thus, all the grade level standards for that grade haven’t been taught when the testing is given. Again, some teachers choose to cram in the end of the year curriculum just to expose students to this on the test.

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I did this when I taught upper grades, as I wanted those who could quickly grasp a concept to have some background knowledge before the test. This, however, is not good teaching. We want students to remember what they learn, internalize a concept and be able to apply that concept instead of rushing to simply get it all done.

There is not necessarily a correlation, for the most part, between how well a student tests and the quality of work he or she produces in class. Remember, standardized tests are bubble in answers. There is no abstract thinking.

Standardized tests are simply ONE way to measure learning. Teachers use this as one small measure but use other assessments throughout the year to truly learn if students understand concepts being taught, including projects and homework.

Remember, too, that some children and adults simply are not good test takers. They get nervous, they freeze up or they get overwhelmed by the pressure. 

I always did great in school but never “proved” that with standardized tests. 

My brother is actually a prime example of someone who is not a good test taker.  When he finished his B.A., he had to take the L.S.A.T. test to get in to law school.  He did not do well enough to get in the schools he wanted to attend. He decided to take a year off of school, retake the test, devoting his time to studying, studying, studying. He ended up getting in the 99.7 percent the second time around and was accepted into some of the top schools in the country.

Parents need to remember that standardized tests are only one small part of the whole picture. Know your child, and you will know whether your own child experiences test anxiety or struggles with timed tests. Look at the whole picture and not one small component.

About

Sarah Frank teaches first grade at . The mother of three was named "Teacher of the Year" by the Rotary Club in 2009 and started working full time for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in 1999.

Sarah's here take your questions about education. Just submit your queries to teachersar@sbcglobal.net.

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