Open Strong- lmj20

The standardized tests that American children take every year that solely determine their future school success are essentially flawed. Thousands of children fail these tests and fall behind but it may be that the tests themselves are failing these children. Standardized tests unfairly misjudge students by not taking into account several important characteristics such as creativity, motivation, and critical thinking. Many students find themselves in an endless loop of failures that deplete them of any love of education. Standardized tests should not act as a barrier for students and schools because they are biased and flawed. The United States is constantly falling behind other developed nations in terms of education and the intense focus on standardized testing is likely to blame.

Imagine if every person took one test to decide if they will be rich of poor at the age of twenty five. The test would be the same for each individual, despite the inherent differences that exist in every person. If the test is passed the individual will be rich, but if the test is failed the individual will live in poverty. It’s highly probable that most people would be against a situation like this but in reality the above situation is a dramatized version of standardized testing in American schools. For a high school student, one test, the SAT’s, decides whether that student can get into college and pursue his dream career. For an elementary student, one state standardized test decides whether that student will move on to the next grade and continue her academic career with her grade. The pressure is on, the stakes are high, and for many failing results seem inevitable. A standardized test should not be the difference between rich and poor or achieving dreams and failed reality.