Standardised testing has been a fundamental educational evaluation tool for decades that objectively measures students’ performance.
However, a growing concern over the years has been on the impact these tests have on the quality of education and students’ well-being. With a broad scope of educating ourselves on the issue, we delve into the multifaceted effects of standardised testing, highlighting the significant negative repercussions on students and education systems.
Also, we will discuss different alternative approaches that can uphold a more holistic and beneficial learning environment.
Here is a general overview of the impact of standardised testing on education quality and student well-being:
1. Narrow Curriculum Focus
Standardised testing can narrow the curriculum, as schools focus more on teaching the test than teaching a broader range of skills. As often observed, subjects that can be easily tested, like math and reading, are often prioritised, neglecting other core areas like the arts, physical education, and social studies. This deprives students of a well-rounded education in the long run.
2. Pressure and Stress
Due to the high-stakes nature of standardised tests, students often feel immense pressure to succeed. This pressure can result in stress, anxiety, and even burnout, negatively affecting their overall well-being and mental health.
3. Teaching to the Test
Educators may resort to teaching specifically for the test to improve test scores. This “teaching to the test” approach limits the concerned students’ creative thinking and problem-solving skills, diminishing the overall education quality.
4. Bias and Inequities
Researchers have also observed that standardised tests perpetuate educational inequalities. In reality, students from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have ready access to test preparatory resources, eventually resulting in unequal opportunities for success. Furthermore, standardised tests can be culturally biased, giving a certain group a comparative advantage over another, either directly or indirectly.
5. Decreased Motivation
Too much testing can lead to reduced student motivation in different ways unimaginable. When learning focuses more on passing a test, the intrinsic joy of learning is somewhat diminished, resulting in a breakaway from the educational process.
Impact of Standardised Testing on Student Well-being
- Students may feel stressed and anxious about the test and the consequences of the results.
- With the pressure of getting a high score, they may eventually burn out and possibly have mental issues.
- Students can develop a negative attitude toward learning by seeing it as something they should endure.
- Students can also develop low self-esteem when they compare their test scores to others and begin to worry that they aren’t just good enough.
Impact of Standardised Testing on Teaching and Instruction
- Teachers may be pressured to “teach to the test,” resulting in less creative and engaging lessons.
- Instead of making room for interactive and meaningful learning experiences, its principal focus is on “drill and kill” methods.
- There is little time for non-tested subjects like music, art, and physical education.
- As evident in the students, it can also increase teacher burnout because they feel pressured to get high scores from their students/learners.
Impact of Standardised Testing on Schools as a Whole
- With the pressure of high-scoring students, there is a mentality of “teaching to the test” throughout the school.
- It creates a “one-size-fits-all” approach to education, ignoring individual students’ needs.
What Can be Done to Improve the Current System of Standardised Testing?
- One solution is to reduce the emphasis on standardised testing and instead focus on other measures of student success, like projects and portfolios.
- Another solution is using a variety of assessments and not relying solely on standardised tests.
- Shifting to alternative assessments that focus on skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity could be another viable option.
- Teachers can absorb more flexibility in their teaching and reduce the time spent on standardised testing.
Alternatives to Standardised Teesting
1. Performance-based assessments
Performance-based assessments, like project-based learning and portfolios, provide a more comprehensive view of a student’s abilities. These assessments serve to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
2. Formative assessments
Teachers can gauge student learning progress by incorporating regular formative assessments like quizzes, peer evaluations, and classroom discussions. This timely feedback helps students improve and reduces the “burdensome need for high-stakes tests.”
3. Teacher-developed assessments
Another highly effective alternative to standardised testing is to empower teachers to make assessments well-suited to their curriculum and the needs of students. Such assessments can better align with educational goals and be less prone to bias.
4. Holistic evaluation
As we shift attention away from test scores, a holistic approach considers relevant factors like student engagement, character development, and social skills while making due provision for a more complete view of student growth.
5. Personalised learning
Accepting personalised learning strategies allows students to progress at their own pace and concentrate on their strengths and weaknesses. Technology-assisted platforms can prove to be useful to tailor learning experiences.
What Is a Portfolio Assessment?
A portfolio assessment is a collection of students’ work that demonstrates or shows the learning over time. A portfolio can include variables like writings, videos, artwork, projects, samples, or presentations. This assessment type allows students to monitor their progress as it reflects on their learning process. Portfolio assessments are a monumental tool for holistically measuring student learning. They can greatly benefit students who may not perform well on standardised tests.
It is important to note that these assessments can be time-consuming for teachers to grade. However, they can effectively assess student learning with appropriate tools like digital portfolios and rubrics.
Conclusion
While standardised testing has been a long-standing tradition in education, one can certainly not ignore its negative impacts on the quality of education and student well-being. Luckily, some alternatives promise and indicate a brighter future for education. We can nurture a more balanced learning environment by gracefully accepting performance-based assessments, teacher-developed assessments, formative assessments, holistic evaluations, and personalized learning. It is time to reevaluate our approach to education to ensure students excel academically and emotionally. United, we can make a positive change for generations yet unborn.
Researched by: Iloh Chioma Sandra
