 |
| Image from CNN.com |
They file into a room, no talking, no drinking water, no going to the bathroom, forced to silently struggle to answer questions that determine their worth. They are rated on a scale of how intelligent they are and their worth is defined by a few numbers. This is how young children are treated in our society.
These standardized tests are implemented around the country as part of a George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act. This act used standardized testing of the children in schools to evaluate the school and the teachers. The intent of this act was good, but the result was terrible. Students go under a large amount of stress during these tests. Sitting in a room for hours without being able to speak or ask for help shouldn’t be how schools run. However children in elementary school are going through this.
Stress isn’t even the only negative effect, entire school curriculums have changed, and not in the intended way. The act was supposed to help improve teaching in schools and make sure the children were learning. Instead of making teachers teach the students more knowledge, the act made teachers teach students how to succeed on standardized tests. Much of the curriculum has become focused on the information on the tests rather than giving students a broader knowledge of subjects. Studies have shown that 71% of schools have shifted their focus from history, art and music to subjects that the students are tested on. This leads to kids losing knowledge rather than gaining more knowledge, and students aren’t able to focus on a subject that might be their passion.
Students should not be forced to take these tests that not only define their worth, but cause stress. Schools should focus on teaching the students to broaden their knowledge rather than teach them how to take a test and succeed to boost the school. Standardized testing is a waste of time and energy for the students and is detrimental to the school system.
