Accuplacer is entry test software which evaluates the performance of students. Accuplacer is a mandatory entry test, and has to be taken by all the freshmen’s according to Texas State Law. This test is used to evaluate the writing and mathematical skills of freshman’s. This test consist two major parts which are English and Mathematics. Moreover, English and Mathematics tests are divided into sub tests, which basically are used to evaluate essay writing, grammatical, reading, basic algebra, intermediate algebra, and college algebra skills. Freshmen’s are placed in classes according to their Accuplacer score, if students get below average marks; they are placed in developmental classes. Accuplacer is very intelligent software, and has a very precise, and an accurate way of marking test. But it should not be mandatory for high school students to take it in order to be allowed to take the college classes, because it is unfair with students who have secured good grades in High School and IELTs exam. Moreover, the students have to retake it, even if they passes the Developmental classes. ...
Every year students in each grade level are required to take standardized testing to determine their level of competency in the course. The schools use it as a tool for passing students to the next grade level and ensuring they have been taught adequately. The Texas Education Agency or TEA supplies and monitors these tests given to students each year. According to the results received this past year, in 2013, 35 schools out of 456 campuses in Texas performed poorly on the STAAR test. The 35 campuses belongs to Dallas Independent School District which is 8% of the total and more than half of Houston’s sc...
Since this test has been devised, the number one question everybody is asking is, “ isn’t it unfair to base a student’s entire future on one test, when he or she simply could have had a bad day when taking the test”? The president Kirk T. Schroder of the Virginia Board of Education, answer this question by saying, “First of all, these tests are untimed, so no student is under arbitrary time pressure in taking the test.
... a tedious process, but the change can have immense, positive effects for the future college student. The ACT and SAT that supposedly measure a student's learning potential through multiple-choice questions should be replaced by a test of a student's desire to learn determined through the analysis of essays, recommendation letters, and school or community involvement. This change can result in a more academically motivated freshman class. Standardized testing in its current form does not accurately measure most students' learning potential. It does not allow for diversity and creates a huge hurdle for many potential academic achievers. An adjustment to a diverse, open testing format of the ACT or SAT and a stress on the student's other academic accomplishments can accurately measure the student's desire to learn, therefore measuring the student's learning potential.
A scholarly journal written by an anonymous author sheds light on the importance of standardized testing by showing its efficiency in higher level education. This article provides a solid counterargument for the use of standardized tests which is standardized tests being a good source of predicting grades throughout college as well as whether students will stay long enough to graduate. It is also able to establish that the SAT is effective in forecasting a grade-point average through the fourth year as well as predicting students study habits. The
One time I heard a teacher at my old high school tell a new teacher that their job is to teach to the test and nothing else. I did not really know what she meant, but I knew something about what she said sounded very wrong. I thought why are they just teaching us how to pass the test instead of just teaching us what we need to know? Later I found out that whether or not I graduate depends on passing the test. The idea of standardized testing to say whether or not students graduate is a bad one. Not just bad for schools, principals, and teachers, but it can mean the end of a student’s future before it begins. That means not only does schools suffer, but everyone in our communities, states, and country suffers. It used to be that students had to take standardized tests every year. The results of these tests said what school districts would get more money or less money for the next school year. And it would also tell schools and teachers if some students needed to be put into higher level programs such as gifted and talented or advanced placement courses or if they were having problems and should be put in special education.
The two most common aptitude tests administered for high school students are the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT), devised to assess a student’s potential for success and readiness in college. However, experience is still regarded as important; school-related learning, particularly in language and mathematics, is a prerequisite for success on the tests. Because aptitude tests are regarded as reliable, they eliminate teacher bias and differences in teachers’ grading practices, thus, adding valuable information in predicting future college success. There is no widely accepted definition of “aptitude” and “ability,” and the terms are often used
Since the release of the report by Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) in December of 2010 many in the government and community are searching for ways to reform the American education system to give American students the greatest opportunity to succeed. According to the report, American students are not testing as high as other nations in the world (Duncan, 2010). There are many contributing elements that have brought America to her knees in the education system, however, the obsession with standardized testing is found to be one of the most influential downfalls.
In Arizona, high schools require their students to take the AIMS (Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards) tests and pass them in order in progress out of high school. Arizonan students must now pass reading, writing, and math and science tests. Many schools have integrated an extra class for students to prepare for taking the tests. Students in these classes can receive either a pass or fail for the course. The original reason and importance for having these tests was to ensure that all students are meeting the standards of education in those tested subjects by the time they graduate. Having more research done about statistics and percentages on opposition and stances on proficiency testing would make an impact in the way schools would continue standardized testing, not only in high schools, but elementary schools as well. Since there is little investigation and research that has been done, there is not a strong voice from the teachers, parents, or students on this subject.
The high school exit exam is outdated and does not reflect California’s new, more rigorous academic standards that emphasize skills needed to succeed in college and careers in the 21st century.” When interviewed, Torlakson was quick to point out that in January 2013, he had recommended a number of alternatives to the exam in a 176 page report to the Governor and State Legislature. Those alternatives included using the results of the eleventh grade Smarter Balanced Assessments; using results of other exams, such as the SAT, ACT or Advanced Placement tests, as a “proxy” for the exit exam; or using course completion in high school as a measure of proficiency. When asked if the exit exam was now abolished, Superintendent Torlakson hesitated, but explained that he, along with Mark McLean, CDE Assessment Development and Administration Division Director, look forward to forming a panel of students, parents, teachers, and education administrators to develop a more thoughtful approach to high school graduation requirements. This task force will have three years to review current procedures and determine if a new test should be developed. The final report will be presented to the Governor for approval. Personal interviews with a small number of random California teachers, students, and parents confirmed what Superintendent Torlakson stated in his interview, “The CASHEE is no longer relevant and California needs to continue to find effective ways to achieve college and career readiness for all students.” Whether the exit exam reappears in a new format or not, students, teachers, parents and CDE administrators interviewed agree that exams are only effective when support is provided to help struggling students eventually
Students dread the time of the year when they stop with their course material and begin to prepare for test. Everyone is in agreement that some type of revolution is needed when it comes to education; eliminating standardized test will aid the reform. The need for standardized testing has proven to be ineffective and outdated; some leading educationalist also believe this because the tests do not measure a student’s true potential. This will save money, stop labeling, and alleviate stress in students and teachers.
There has always been controversy on whether exit exams should be required for a high school student’s graduation. Exit exams cause narrow statewide curriculum, too much emphasis on a single test, stress for the students, and stress for the teachers trying to reach state score standards; however on the optimistic view, standardized testing assures that students work harder, schools discover areas of weakness, and allows schools to improve performance. Exit exams hurt students who pass or fail them.Placing so much importance on one test, that is currently at a tenth grade level is asinine. These tests are supposed to help us improve, strengthen the students weaknesses, and give the students a better understanding of the subject they are learning; not keep them at a level that will never prepare them for anything. Too much emphasis on a single test gets students nowhere. Many critics say that high school graduates are unprepared for college, because of this testing many graduates go to college unprepared. The students then have to take remedial courses, because they can not handle college level work(chronicle 1). These tests are to prepare students for the classes and work ahead, but all the do is hold students back. Many teachers fear that they are sending the students into secondary education unprepared. If these tests are meant to help students with their future, but fail so miserably at doing so then why have them at all? This is the growing question in the students, teachers and parents mind. If these are meant to help why haven’t the students seen results?
In today’s world, there are many people who feel the pull of continuing their education by going to college. There are many factors that affect this process, and can either make or break a student’s attempt at academic success. Some of the factors are commonsensical, and others may not be as obvious – especially for returning students who have been out of school for a long period of time. There are many tools available to help students of all backgrounds discover their strengths, weaknesses, skills, and learning styles, all of which will help them prepare for their school routine. One of these tools is the Smarter Measure Assessment, which is an online tool that uses simple questions to measure a student’s readiness for classes. Although
Standardized testing is an unfair and inaccurate form of judging a person’s intellect. In many cases, people are either over- or underrepresented by their test scores, partly because America does not currently have the capabilities of fairly scoring the increasing number of tests. Additionally, many students today are not native English speakers, and their capabilities could be grossly underestimated by these types of exams. Although President Bush is a supporter, many influential people are against this bill, including the largest teacher’s union in the United States, which has formed a commission in opposition to the President’s proposal.
Many schools have dropped the use of the SATs’ and ACTs’ and the results are pleasing. Despite the size of the institutions, benefits from this act have been substantial and satisfactory, including more and better prepared applicants, increased student diversity and positive reactions from the alumni, guidance and counseling and the public (Freeman, 1983). High school students have been encouraged to seek out these schools, sometimes because of their own experiences with test
Standardized testing remains to be a major controversial issue for the American society today. Exams are given to students at different levels in their educational career and are supposed to measure their academic knowledge, but are these tests really the best way to evaluate students? There have been numerous alternatives suggested to replace or be used in conjunction with standardized testing.