Why standardized test?
Since standardized tests have not been proven to provide the real life learning outcome, why is it that some educational institutions are still using these test to meet their criteria?
Standardized test are necessary to prepare my students for the standardized test needed for certification/licensing board. The program I work with uses many different methods, for the students to demonstrate knowledge and therefore obtain a grad. It would be a disservice to the students if we did not prepare them, not just for their potential career but, for the standardized test that awaits them in the end.
I agree with all of the comments here, administrative needs. More and more my publically funded school is needing to "prove" it's working. Standardized tests can provide easy statistics for newspapers and state congressional members.
But there is a validity in preparing students for standardized tests in their professional fields. Licensing tests are a reality for many of our students, post graduation, and we would be amiss in not preparing them for this kind of assessment.
I'd like to introduce a side note here and that is the fact that standardized testing often influences the way learning content is offered by the educational institution and/or interpreted by students. Students want to get the best grade possible so they study the material with the test in mind (memorization), often because student loans are connected to their grade point average. Educational institutions dependent on funding and/or investments based on test scores will start "teaching to the test". This method of teaching and studying can possibly undermine the ability to think critically and to solve problems in an innovative way in the student population - which is so crucial for the current generation of students and probably for future generations as well. Although standardized testing can fulfill a function, it should only be a part of the assessment methodology applied.
In many professional programs, the use of standardized tests allows the graduates to be licensed and practice their profession. I think in some way these tests not only asses memorization of facts, but assess critical thinking needed to come to a correct answer.
Jennifer,
Standardized testing can give the instructor some idea of general content coverage but not necessarily understanding. Testing is helpful for students who must complete standardized testing for success in their career/vocation, but in terms of actual learning, other forms of assessment should be used to address different learning styles and approaches.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I agree that it probably administrative but couldn't it also establish a base and help determine where students may need more attention? In a more holistic sense, you may have more room for interpretation, whereas in a standardized test there is not. For example, when we compare test scores internationally, I can see that standardized is a helpful tool as you can really compare apples to apples vs saying "this student just doesn't test well". Statistically speaking it can be more representative of the whole outcome?
Bettye,
My suggestion is that the reasons are administrative - it is easier to quantify the results of a standardized test than trying to evaluate the actual learning process. This takes more time and effort...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
