What Is Standardized Testing?

Standardized testing is used in schools to test how well students learn the information they are taught and how well they apply it. These tests usually measure if a student can successfully meet the state standard requirements set by each individual state. All of the students are expected to take these tests and be prepared for them. However, the amount of tests they take can sometimes be too much for students to handle. There is a growing concern among parents, teachers, and students of the overabundance of standardized testing throughout the United States. Students are required to take these tests and can be overwhelmed with the amount of material they have to know. With everything that is required of teachers, sometimes it is difficult

Layton explains in her article that “a typical student takes 112 mandated standardized tests between pre-kindergarten classes and 12th grade.” (Layton) The education system requires that students even as young as three take standardized testing. These young children are expected to take around “4.1 standardized tests” (Layton). Layton states that “the heaviest testing load falls on the nation’s eighth graders, who spend an average of 25.3 hours during the school year taking standardized tests” (Layton). Layton explicates how “most countries that outperform the United States on international exams test students three times during their school careers.” (Layton) The fact that we are testing students around thirty-seven times more than those countries show that there is too much pressure on standardized testing. Every student is expected to do well with standardized tests and in their classroom. This can cause students to stress about school and grades at an early age. These students should not have to be required to test for that many hours in a year. For students to become well-rounded, emotionally, socially, and academically, they should be tested less and allowed to have time for extracurricular

It can be stressful and a lot to handle. They should not be expected to know all of the material for their classes and for the tests. Standardized testing also has a negative effect on teachers. It adds unnecessary pressure and fear of judgement based on student performance. Because of this stress and pressure, students feel the need to compete with each other. This can have detrimental effects on their future. When looking at the negatives of standardized testing, it is easy to see that too much of it is more harmful than