Why are we still talking about the ineffectiveness of End-of-grade (EOG) exams?

WHEN DID STANDARDIZED TESTING START?

It appears that standardized testing is not something new nor is its mandated implementation in schools, novel. Who knew? I mean that literally. According to the timeline of History of Standardized Testing in the United States, something appears to have awakened in the 21st century as it relates to standardized tests. Between 1965 and 2000, education had settled in on assessments that served their purpose.

History of Standardized Testing in the United States 

SOMETHING CHANGED

"No Child Left Behind" and "Race to the Top". Take your pick! Billions of dollars on the table and sub-par results. Sound familiar? One problem here is that we are talking about the education, intelligence and aptitude, of our society. An even bigger problem, this is not happening everywhere in the world. What does that mean for the United States 50 years from now?

 Confirmed: Standardized testing has taken over our schools. But who’s to blame?

As I see it, we spend absorbent amounts of money on supplies and technology for K - 12 education these days. Making sure that everyone has a fair shot at living the "American Dream". We test students over and over again, often times sacrificing the quality and substance of their education, to meet standards that still have us competing at a sub-par level in university settings. Then, we promote everyone going to college and taking on about $20,000 dollars per year in student loans or related debt. All just to graduate and not have the critical skills necessary to make you competitive in today's job market. Hmmmm!

 WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON?

As best I can remember, I do not recall anyone ever telling me a success story of their standardized test scores being so much higher than their actual, in class, performance. Hearing of the EOG or SAT or ACT, saving the day. If I have, I do not recall this because it's an anomaly.

Time after time, you hear of stories where students have worked so hard with their teachers. Teachers pouring in extra hours of before and after school, tutoring. Technology tools being implemented to better engage students. Then, around late May or early June (semester or school year end), the horror stories of disappointment and despair.

N.C. teacher: Test score says the year was a dismal failure for my student — but it really was ‘a resounding success’

But many of us continue, never questioning or discussing what is happening. Most likely because the situation passes with some remediation or changed grade that satisfies our situational complaints. Heck, in many cases now, the universities are finding ways to take that money.....I mean, admit students without the standardized scores. Yet, we still are subjecting and torturing K - 12 students with the tests.

EACH NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE

Parents, Teachers, Students.....Businesses, can no longer wait for the traditional educational system to address the issues that we face scholastically. We all must start to take ownership and accountability in our intellect and aptitude. If you do not, someone is going to pay a huge price at some point. Regardless if we are talking about K - 12 education or Higher Learning, we must face the true yields of our investments. Standardized testing today has proven to offer little value in assessing anything, particularly not intellect and aptitude.