This article discusses the debate around standardized testing in schools. It notes that while testing has been around for decades, students and educators have increasingly voiced opposition to the pressures of testing. It outlines how teaching has shifted to primarily focus on test preparation, leaving little time for other topics. While proponents argue testing ensures accountability and data for improvement, critics say it overly stresses memorization, can be affected by external factors, and fails to assess a student's full abilities. The article provides breakdowns of time spent on academics versus other activities and the pros and cons of standardized testing.

1. STANDARDIZED TESTING
HELPFUL OR HARMFUL?
BY: VICTORIA JEAN

2. WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE?
• Testing in schools have been
around for decades and its not a
method that’s ending anytime
soon.
• Educators and students recently
started to take a stand against
testing and the pressures that
come along with it.

3. WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
• There is no learning anymore.
Most of the subjects taught
within schools are taught and
memorized specifically for the
test.
• Any other topic not related
towards the curriculum will not
be taught or if taught the topic
will be briefly discussed.
• Students are not inspired.

4. THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB!
50%
20%
20%
10%
TIME SPENT ACADEMICALLY VS. SOCIALLY FOR STUDENTS
Hours Per Day Spent In School
Hours Per Night Spent Studying
Hours Per Night Doing HW (Correctly)
Free Time

5. PROS & CONS
• Pros
1) Holds students and teachers
accountable for the materials taught and
learned within the classroom
2) Allows students, teachers, and
schools to be compared to other school
districts around the area.
3) Provides guidance on what and when
a subject needs to be taught
4) Provide schools with data to develop
programs and services needed within
the school
• Cons
1) External factors can effect a student’s
performance on test day.
2) Teachers only “teach to the tests” This
can cause the class room to have an
atmosphere that is boring and lacks
creativity.
3) Only evaluates a student’s performance
on that particular day not taking into
account the student’s overall
performance throughout the course of
the year.
4) Pressure on teachers for every student
to pass; stress and anxiety for students
who perform poorly
http://teaching.about.com/
od/assess/a/Standardized-
Testing.htm
Pros And Cons Of
Standardized Testing
Article

6. 5 MINUTE BREAKDOWN OF THE COMMON CORE &
PBS NEWS COVERAGE

7. SUMMARY!
• This is a widely debated topic across the board. We all can agree
that testing in schools are not going away because of the
advantages that come along with it. But the educational system
must change some of its ways that it approaches testing within
some school districts. The system must go back to inspiring
students to think critically and apply what they learned outside
the classroom not just memorizing facts that they’ll forget once
the test is over.