Friedrich 1 Matt Friedrich Mr. Barrera Brit. Lit.

122 November 11 2013 Unnecessary Standardized Tests The standards have been set and recognized. The teachers know them the students know them. But because of the standards do students actually learn? Have the school board, and teachers focused too much on meeting the standards instead of actually having the students learn the materials? What about colleges basing so much of their acceptances off of the ACT/SAT, is it fair? The truth is that it isnt fair. Standardized test do not measure a students knowledge. Standardized test are a poor way of judging students going through the education system. The fact that the future of a high school student depends on one test is just not fair. Standardized tests ask questions purposely trying to trick you. Last time I checked it takes more than magic to get into college. College admissions offices admit to basing their acceptance decisions mainly on the applicants SAT/ACT scores. By doing this the admissions offices are telling people in high school to slack in class, where you are being educated on the materials, but learn the tricks to the standardized tests to get into college. Knowledge is more than knowing how to get around the tricks. Standardized testing is not just affecting students in high school applying to college but also elementary and middle school students as well. Starting in the third grade, being 8 years old, students begin taking standardized tests in Georgia. The results of elementary school standardized tests determine the classes that student will take for the rest of their pre- college schooling life. It is wrong for schools to begin standardized testing at such a young age.

Friedrich 2 Knowledge: (n). 1). Acquaintance with facts truths or principles as for study or investigation general erudition. 2). Familiarity or conversance, as with a particular subject or branch of learning. 3). Acquaintance or familiarity gained by sight, experience, or report. Definition found on dictionary.com Nowhere in the definition of knowledge does it say sort of knowing the material. Its either you know it or you dont. Schools are teaching for standardized tests not for the knowledge of students anymore. Teachers are told to make the students aware of the daily standards and follow them to a tee. Everybody learns differently and everybody tests differently. Some people learn things without trying and some people test well but then again there are people that dont. Is it fair to compare all the students in a state to each other? Is it fair to test a fish and a monkey on who can climb up a tree fastest? The answer is no. Neither the test between a fish and a monkey nor between students around the state is fair. Everybody is different and by using standardized testing it is trying to make everybody equal. This is causing a socialist America, where everybody is equal in every way. I believe in equality for all individuals but to compare student to student in an educational environment is wrong.