School districts should focus more on education, less on standardized tests
February 5, 2016
Dear editor,
Let’s talk about something we all know too well: Keystones. We prepare for these all through high school and whether we pass or fail determines if we graduate or not. That’s not fair to us though.
The smartest kid could do poorly on standardized tests, and run the risk of not graduating. Ai??Is that fair? No.
School takes these tests too seriously. Ai??The problem is teachers are forced to teach primarily what the tests are measuring. If the teachers don’t get around to teaching the material that is on the test, then the students suffer.
There are three Keystones that we have to take and pass in order to graduate: math, biology, and English. Some students excel in biology and can be doing bad in English, or some can excel in English and do poorly in math. These tests should not determine a studentai??i??s intelligence. Ai??What should determine that is a studentai??i??s hard work and determination.
On another note, these tests that are given are all the same to every student. If you are in ESL, average classes, honor classes, or in the special needs class, it is all the same. Does that seem fair to you?
Even though I am against the tests, if they have to be given, they should have different versions for students who have or need more help understanding topics such as English for students who move here from other countries or math and biology. Not everyone understands every subject. They should be made to be fair to everyone and not say ai???too badai??? to the rest of you who were never taught the items on these tests.
Jaime Ross
Senior
Amanda Morales • Apr 15, 2016 at 9:41 AM
For most of my high school career, I have agreed with Jaime Ross. I still do agree that there is far too much weight put on students to pass and excel at testing. It just doesn’t make sense that a student who attends MCTI and excels at, say, welding, needs to be proficient in ecological issues/biology. Yet the keystones demand it. However, I also believe that being able to apply critical thinking as well as general knowledge in order to eliminate answers, assuage testing anxieties, and create a well-formed and logical response to a question is a skill that is vital, particularly for students who plan on taking the college path. SATs and ACTs are both, to differing degrees, critical thinking tests. I personally plan on attending law school, which means I can also look forward to LSATS and the Bar exam. I feel very confident in saying that my years of experience with PSSA and Keystone testing do help to put me at ease. I would strongly encourage all high school students to recognize not only the obvious negative effects of required standardized tests but to perhaps also ponder on the inherent value of metacognition and critical thinking.
Julianna Sweeney • Apr 13, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Standardized testing has become a rather important part in every students life. We have been trained since elementary school to take these tests, and take them seriously. While standardized test can be a good way to see if students are hitting their benchmarks, teachers often teach only what will be tested on. Many classes must work quickly and briefly on each subject in order to cover the material before testing time; this leaves no time for students to fully understand the material or try to relate it to other aspects of life. As Jaime Ross stated, standardized tests do not determine how smart a student is, only how well they test. These tests are too heavily relies on by school districts to gauge students progress. There should be more focus on teaching the subject rather than testing it.
Christopher Vo • Apr 13, 2016 at 10:41 AM
Over the years, there has been a heavy emphasis on standardized testing, especially Keystones, for all high school students. Within the third paragraph, Jaime Ross states that teachers feel obligated to focus on material that will appear on these tests. To further strengthen her point, Ross argues that different students take different levels of classes and have different subject strengths. Therefore, different Keystone tests should be given so that it’s fair to those who struggle with certain subjects. I must disagree that these tests should be altered in this manner. It’s important for all students to take the same test; this traditional way is the fairest and easiest way. The problem of certain tests being easier obscures whether the student is proficient in certain state standards. Furthermore, other students can determine how they compare to their peers on the same tested concepts. This allows teachers to know what they need to focus on within the future. Although it might seem that too much energy is spent on these tests, there really is a purpose. These tests are merely a stepping stone to more important standardized tests: SAT’s and ACT’s. There is no escaping these tests, so it is best if students learn to refine their standardized test taking skills.
Ryan Lord • Apr 13, 2016 at 10:40 AM
Standardized testing is present in every students’s life. Ross tries to explain that schools should focus less on these test and more on the actual education in the classroom. I understand the idea that anyone can do bad on them; however, every student’s understanding of material still has to be measured somehow in order to see what is lacking and what needs to be improved. I disagree with placing less focus on standardized tests because there has to be a standard on which retention is based. All students deserve a way in order for them to be placed in classes in which they can advance academically. Standardized tests help to show where a certain child stands and how to help further their education. Ross also later states that these tests should have different versions to help students who more understanding than others. The only problems with changing the tests to having more versions are that it would be very expensive and not fair for other students to be judged on a certain test the same as another person taking an easier test.
Elijah Alexander • Apr 13, 2016 at 10:29 AM
In Jamie Ross’ letter to the editor, she talked about the school system focusing less on standardized tests and more on education. I agree with Ross’ argument; the Keystones do not accurately assess a student’s intelligence. Standardized tests look at a score, however, test taking is a skill. Whether a student does or doesn’t do well in school, some students are good at taking tests, while others are not. Ross writes in her letter, “The smartest kid could do poorly on standardized tests, and run the risk of not graduating. Is that fair? No.” In the real world, the life after high school, the world celebrates and rewards one’s excellence in multiple intelligences: such as visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, mathematical/logical, bodily/kinesthetic, musical/rhythmic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, existentialist and naturalist. So in conclusion, it’s not fair that the state assesses a small aspect of things you need to know in the world after high school; and children are kept from entering this new world where success can be found in any area of intelligence.
Allana Powlette • Apr 13, 2016 at 10:22 AM
Jaime Ross discusses the issue of standardized tests taking away from a student’s education. I was persuaded by her writing because she begins with a powerful introduction and provides valid points. For example, Ross states that “The problem is teachers are forced to teach primarily what the tests are measuring.” This means that standardized tests are minimizing the teacher’s ability to prepare students for college and beyond. Ross also makes a strong argument that “… they should have different versions (of the test) for students who have or need help understanding topics…” This elevates her argument because it shows how the tests fail to maximize their ability to gauge a student’s “intelligence”. Having taken the test myself: I am in favor of Ross’s stance on standardized testing.
Allen Denny • Apr 13, 2016 at 10:19 AM
Do schools focus too much of their attention on standardized tests instead of giving students a real education? Yes; these types of tests do not measure how smart a student is, they only measure the ability to memorize information for a period of time before students throw it away just a couple weeks later. I can even say that from my personal experience with the Keystones, 90% of the facts that I had to learn in order to pass are now forgotten. According to Alfie Kohn, “Standardized Tests can’t measure initiative, creativity, imagination, conceptual thinking, curiosity, effort, irony, judgment, commitment, nuance, good will, ethical reflection, or a host of other valuable dispositions and attributes.” So instead of studying up for the big state tests, we should be learning things that truly matter when we go out into the real world.
Sydney Cramer • Apr 13, 2016 at 10:04 AM
School Districts should focus more on education and less on standardized testing by Jaime Ross gives readers a different perspective on what is being taught in school. Teachers are teaching for standardized tests rather than teaching to broaden a student’s’ mind. This is due to the keystones that students need to pass in order to graduate; which reflects on how a teacher is teaching. Because of this, the school district changes their policies for which classes to take which year. Instead of taking Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2; students now take Algebra, Algebra 2, and Geometry. I agree with Jaime Ross because changing the way teachers teach could hurt their students in the long run.