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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 10 page paper begins by briefly defining what a standardized test is and the importance placed on them. The purpose of these tests, how they can be used and why they are used is discussed at length. The limits of these tests are also reported. For instance, the new requirement to test Head Start children is deemed absurd by many experts. The essay reports the problems that have emerged with these tests in the last several years. Opponents of standardized testing charge the tests are discriminatory against certain groups but empirical evidence does not validate this argument. The writer also discusses whether or not these tests should be used as the criterion for promotion/retention. Bibliography lists 13 sources.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: MM12_PGstst.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
norm-referenced as well as criterion-referenced tests many states are now using (FairTest, n.d.). These tests are referred to as high-stakes tests when students must pass them to be promoted to
the next grade level or to graduate from high school (FairTest, n.d.). Tests that determine scholarships, college-entrance, or even enrollment in a special program are also high-stakes tests. At least
17 states require students to pass such a test to graduate and more are planning to initiate the same type of requirement (FairTest, n.d.). The No Child Left Behind
Act of 2001 mandates standardized tests as the "primary measure of school accountability" (Association of American Publishers, 2002). This means all school districts must use some type of test annually
to assess reading, math and science (Association of American Publishers, 2002). States may use norm-referenced or criterion-referenced tests or a combination to meet the regulations (Association of American Publishers, 2002).
These laws have been passed despite the voluminous amount of research suggesting that standardized tests are biased against some populations (FairTest, n.d.). Research studies have shown that the
socio-economic status and educational background of the family are the most important factors in the variability of test scores (Wakefield, n.d.). Specific studies have found that urban and rural students
do less well on these tests than do suburban students (Wakefield, n.d.; St. Petersburg Times, 2001; Loveless, 2001; Temple, 1998). Numerous studies demonstrate that White students score higher than minority
students (Wakefield, n.d.; Loveless, 2001). How and Why Standardized Tests Are Used This type of performance assessment is used for a number of reasons. The Association of American Publishers
offered a very concise statement regarding their use: "Standardized tests are used to evaluate students and schools; to help improve teaching and learning; and to generate important data from which
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