Standardized Testing

    That moment you have when you know the answer or the word you are looking for, and it is right on the tip of your tongue... That's how I feel about test taking. You know you have the information in your brain, but the way that you are being asked to present it is not the most effective at bringing it to the forefront. I have always had test anxiety. No matter how well I knew the information, with some exceptions, I always missed a question or two that I knew I had the answer to, but for some reason could not get them out of my brain. 
     I certainly do not think of myself as a dumb person. I know I am not in the ninety-ninth percentile, but I know I am above average, so I could imagine if I have trouble taking test even when I feel prepared, there are lots of others who feel the same. 
    I know there has to be some sort of standard that has to be met when it comes to the evaluation of the knowledge students have. Obviously we can't just send people through school without evaluating if they are learning the curriculum or not. Forget Standardized test for a second and think about the standard test you would take in a class. These test, although not quite as consequential, still produce the same anxiety as these other high stakes tests do, and when stacked on top of each other, could become equally as important. I think there are better options, even if it requires more time and effort by administrators/staff. 
There should be multiple testing options for students who perform better in different context or environments. It could be that a student tests better in an isolated environment, or possibly they do better when they take the test verbally. I know it would take a lot of effort to test every student this way, and maybe that isn't a realistic goal, but it is almost certain that test scores would improve. 
    Regarding standardized tests, Exit Exams were still around when I began high school. I only took one, the math exam, before they were done away with. I do not have a strong opinion on that because I do not remember much about it. The ACT is obviously the "Big One" everybody takes, and if we are being honest, it determines a lot about your future education. I have conflicting feelings about the ACT. Everyone has test anxiety when they take it, so we can leave that where it is. I do think the ACT is a good measuring stick that determines not only what you learned in high school, but it also is a good indicator on whether you are good at test preparation or not. While providing opportunities for those who do well on the ACT such as scholarships and admission to competitive schools, an average score does not prevent you from accomplishing your goals in life. I made an average score, and was still able to get scholarships to help pay for my education.  Overall I think I'll give the ACT a 7/10 score in regards to evaluating a students readiness for college. 
    I do not love the way standardized test make me feel, but there has to be some sort of evaluation of students. I will forever be an optimist, and I am hopeful the future holds something more innovative. Perhaps something that is more specific to each students strengths and weaknesses.  
    
    

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