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Standardized Testing

Department of Education, University of the People

EDUC 5220: Curriculum design and instructional decision making

Dr. Manisha Sharma, Instructor

August 02, 2023

Standardized Testing: Its Definition

Standardized testing is a widely adopted method for evaluating knowledge and skills,

as outlined by Popham (2001). This approach involves administering tests that are created

consistently, conducted under uniform conditions, and graded using standardized criteria. The

underlying goal of standardized testing is to ensure that a reliable and consistent assessment

is obtained, enabling comparisons to be made across individuals or groups.

According to Muskin (2015), standardized testing is a way to assess students'

knowledge and skills using a standardized set of questions or tasks. This method of

evaluation is consistent across various schools, districts, and even countries, making it

possible to compare results. To elaborate on the previous point, standardized tests aim to

evaluate students' knowledge, skills, and abilities in a fair and consistent manner. The results

of standardized tests are crucial in determining various student-related decisions such as

whether they can advance to the next grade or qualify for specific programs and services

(Yıldırım & Şahin, 2018, p. 2).

Based on the aforementioned definitions, I have created my own definition of

standardized testing. It is a method of assessing student learning and success by using a

consistent and unbiased set of questions or tasks that are administered and graded in the same

manner for all students. The objective of standardized testing is to offer a dependable and

accurate measure of student performance that can be used to guide educational policies and

decisions. These tests can evaluate a broad range of skills and knowledge and are frequently

used to determine eligibility for higher education institutions or to evaluate the effectiveness

of educational programs.

Standardized Testing: Advantages and Disadvantages

Based on the American Educational Research Association (2000), standardized tests

can be a dependable and accurate tool for assessing student performance when designed and
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administered effectively. Additionally, they can be a cost-effective and efficient way to

evaluate large groups of students in a consistent manner. Moreover, the consistent nature of

standardized tests can provide valuable insights for educational policy and decision-making.

Standardized testing has several benefits, including providing a fair and consistent

way to assess student learning. By using the same test for all students, bias can be eliminated,

ensuring fairness. These tests are also efficient and cost-effective, as they can be administered

to large groups of students simultaneously, with quick analysis and reporting of results.

(Darling-Hammond, 2013)

However, Shepard (2000) considered that standardized testing also has some

drawbacks. One of the main criticisms is that it places too much emphasis on test scores,

leading to a narrow and superficial approach to teaching and learning. Also, teachers may feel

pressured to teach to the test, rather than engaging in meaningful activities that promote

deeper learning. Besides, cultural biases or misalignment with the curriculum can result in

inaccurate or unfair results.

Standardized Testing in Türkiye

As per Yıldırım & Şahin (2018), standardized testing is currently implemented in

Turkey's education system. The Ministry of National Education conducts national exams for

students in different grades, such as the High-school Entrance Exam (LGS) for eighth graders

and the Higher Education Entrance Exam (YKS) for high school seniors. These exams are

crucial for determining students' eligibility for higher education institutions. However, some

criticisms have been raised about the exams' alignment with the curriculum and their ability

to accurately measure student learning, bringing mixed with some students performing well

and others struggling to meet the Ministry of National Education's standards.

According to Öndeş (2019), standardized testing in Turkey has both advantages and

disadvantages. One of the main benefits is that it provides a consistent and objective way to
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measure student achievement, which can help identify areas where additional support may be

needed. Additionally, standardized tests can help hold schools and teachers accountable for

student learning, providing a clear measure of success or failure. However, some criticisms of

standardized testing in Turkey include its failure to consider individual students' unique needs

and abilities, and students who do not perform well on standardized tests may be unfairly

penalized, even if they have other strengths or talents. Moreover, the focus on these tests has

led to high levels of exam pressure on children, which can negatively affect their well-being.

To address these issues, there have been calls for a reform of exams in Turkey.

Andreas Schleicher, head of education at the OECD, argues that multiple-choice exams are

not sufficient to assess complex information and skills, and a more comprehensive approach

is needed. Schleicher has also advocated for decreasing the pressure on children during

exams to prioritize their overall education. (Öndeş, 2019)

Standardized Testing: My Final Thoughts

I believe that standardized testing has both positive and negative aspects, and its

effectiveness depends on how it is utilized and interpreted. While it can offer valuable

information about student achievement and help to pinpoint areas that need improvement, it

should not be the sole indicator of student learning or teacher effectiveness. Instead, it should

be used in conjunction with other forms of assessment, such as classroom-based assessments,

portfolios, and performance tasks, to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of

student learning.

To address the issues with standardized testing in Turkey, potential solutions include

shifting towards more formative assessments, such as quizzes and projects, which can

provide a more thorough understanding of student learning. Additionally, there could be a

focus on improving the quality of schools in Turkey to alleviate the pressure on students to

perform well on exams.

References

American Educational Research Association. (2000). High-stakes testing in education:

Science and practice in K-12 settings. American Educational Research Association.

https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543066003401

Darling-Hammond, L. (2013). Getting teacher evaluation right: What really matters for

effectiveness and improvement. Teachers College Press.

Muskin, J.A. (2015). Student Learning Assessment and the Curriculum: Issues and

Implications for Policy, Design and Implementation. In-Progress Reflections No. 1 on

"Current and Critical Issues in the Curriculum and Learning". UNESCO

Öndeş, Ö. (2019, October 15). Exam pressure on children should be decreased in Turkey:

Pisa founder. Hürriyet Daily News. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/exam-

pressure-on-children-should-be-decreased-in-turkey-pisa-founder-147525

Popham, W. J. (2001). Classroom assessment: What teachers need to know. Pearson.

Shepard, L. A. (2000). The role of assessment in a learning culture. Educational Researcher,

29(7), 4-14.

Yıldırım, A., & Şahin, M. (2018). The impact of high-stakes testing on teaching and learning

in Turkey. Journal of Education and Learning, 7(2), 1-12.