Standardized Testing: The Role of the Teacher

Standardized Testing: The Role of the Teacher

Hannah Talley 2021

Poll

Will you have a standardized test of some sort (ACT section, AP exam, benchmark, etc.) in your content area this year?

• Yes

• No

Facts:

• There are 34 AP tests across all areas of content and study

• Benchmark exams are required across AR

• SAT and ACT scores are necessary for college admissions across AR

Poll

It is my job as a teacher to prepare my students for standardized testing.

• True

• False

Role of the Teacher in Standardized Testing

• Prepare students with content instruction

• Prepare students to take high stakes exams

Poll

Does your school use standardized testing scores to evaluate teachers?

• Yes

• No

Standardized tests have a long history of being the go-to measure of student achievement, teacher accomplishment, and school accountability. 

• Standardized tests are how teachers, students, and schools as a whole are compared

Standardized Testing Results

• Test scores are used to deem particular schools exemplary or substandard

• Real estate prices rise and fall in relation to the neighborhood school’s testing profile

• Test scores are used as a proxy for school quality

• Test scores teach students that they are “above average,” “average,” or “below average.”

Pros

• Standardized tests can help schools evaluate progress

• Standardized testing helps pinpoint areas for improvement

• Standardized testing is a metric for learning

• 
  

Cons

• Test scores can impact confidence- teacher & student

• There’s pressure to “teach to the test”

• Scores don’t provide a true picture of a student’s ability

Poll

Standardized Testing is a necessary evil.

• True

• False

My Stance:

• Standardized testing does not gauge student growth

• It is not a fair depiction of student's abilities

• It provides unnecessary stress for student AND teacher

• It does not matter what I think, my kids still need to be prepared for what is to come

Preparing across the board:

• Teach students how to use literacy skills across the board

• Teach students how the test looks

• Don't get caught up in just passing the exam

• Be able to defend your curriculum

Cited

• https://www.whitbyschool.org/passionforlearning/the-pros-and-cons-of-standardized-testing

• https://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/where-we-stand/ila-roles-standardized-reading-tests-in-schools.pdf?sfvrsn=c6ada58e_4#:~:text=Roles%20and%20Uses%20of%20Standardized,educational%20policy%2C%20and%20determining%20accountability.

• https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/testing-in-ar/

• https://www.weareteachers.com/teachers-onboard-standardized-testing/