why are you taking standardized tests?

 Why are you taking standardized tests?

By the time you entered middle school there is no doubt that you had already been introduced to standardized testing. It probably started around fourth or fifth grade when your teachers started discussing how important it is to do well on these tests. Maybe you were excited to take them, or maybe you were stressed and worried that you weren't going to succeed. One thing is for certain, you were never told why you have to take these tests, even though the seemed so important.

The tests you will be taking over the next several years include an assortment of subjects for you to be tested on. Sometimes these test will have reading and writing while others may include math and science. Depending on the type of test you are taking that year may be a direct result in what you are learning with your teacher. Why you may ask? because they better you do on your standardized tests the more your teachers get paid! Yup, you read that right, your schools test scores have a direct affect on how much money your teachers make, and what types of things you have at your school! 

Standardized testing is not only used to determine the salary your teachers are making, but it also decides how much money your school district is going to receive from the US government. "First, it is important to note that, on average, school districts get about 48% of their funds from the state, about 44% from local sources, and about 8% from the federal government” (1.)This may not seem like a huge deal but without a proper budget some things you take for granted in your school could be gone forever. Does your school have fun extracurriculars like sports and art club? do you have assistants and interpreters for your disabled students? does your school have up to date technologies like laptops or iPads? if so, these are all things that you are allowed to have because your district has enough money to buy them. Many districts around the country don't have the money to fix holes in their roofs let alone pay to buy their students laptops or iPads.  

How do they use your test scores? 

It is quite shocking to realize that your test scores have a direct effect on your teachers' salary and your schools ability to have resources. What is actually more shocking is the way the government uses those scores to divide up the money. Weeks after you have taken your exams, watched your movies and eaten your snacks for reward the exams are graded. You are put into a category of students based upon what grade you received in each section of the exam and overall. Your overall school is taken and compared with other kids in your school to see how you match up to your peers. After that your schools test scores are averaged and used to decide how much money you receive from the government. The better your district preformed on the exams the more money you receive from the government. "NCLB has been criticized by educational organizations who believe that the program represents a misallocation of federal funding. Critics argue that federal funding could be better used to improve pay rates and benefits for teachers, especially since tenure and reappointment are often based on test scores" (2.)This act was signed into action by president George W. Bush in 2002 and is what put standardized testing into action. The president intended for the act to work in favor of the under privileged kids, but it actually did the opposite. It sounds like a great idea in theory but actually just continues to make it harder for kids whose school districts don't get enough money. 

How standardized testing affects underfunded schools?

When the money is given out to the schools it is an exciting time. Maybe your school is adding a new jungle gym, or maybe this year you are able to afford new sports uniforms. For the kids who don't live in these districts life just continues on.

A Public school in Detroit, Michigan (4.)

They very often do not have any of the resources of a wealthier school district. No sports teams, no extra-curricular activities or new technologies. Schools that don't receive a lot money may not even have the funds to fix leaky roofs or broken windows. Could you imagine going to a school with soaking wet floors and no windows? It seems like a farfetched idea for a lot of kids, but to some this is a reality. As reported by the National Education Association, America needs to invest nearly 4.5 million dollars per school in order to bring every school in America up to standard. (3.) This fact is very concerning when talking about the education of our students. Kids your age are the future of this country and it is very important to make sure that you are as educated as you can be with regard to every topic. 

references: 

1. Glass, G. V., & Berliner, D. C. (2014). 50 Myths & Lies That Threaten America’s Public Schools: The Real Crisis in Education. New York: Teachers College Press.

2. Issitt, M. L. M. M. (2018). Standardized testing. Points of View. Retrieved from http://proxy-bloomu.klnpa.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=89158316&site=eds-live&scope=site

3. National Education Association. (n.d.) Education funding and related charts. Conditions of public school facilities. Retrieved from “http://www.nea.org/home/19900.htm”

4. NBC News. (2013). Detroit water woes.