This document summarizes high-stakes standardized testing and its impact on K-12 education. It discusses that these mandatory, multiple choice tests are used to assess students and schools under the No Child Left Behind Act. While these tests can assess learning and retention, they only teach students what will be on the test and do not assess important skills. The document proposes using formative assessments instead and providing teachers professional development to improve assessment practices.
2. Background
Introduction Information
Impact on What can be done to
K-12 Education address this issue?
Conclusion References
High-Stakes Standardized Testing
3. What is High-Stakes Standardized
Testing
•Government-
mandated
standardized tests
•Mainly multiple
choice
•No Child Left Behind
4. Why is it important?
All students must take these tests
Used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of students and
the school’s curriculum
Teachers and educators base curriculum off of what will be on
the test to help prepare students
5. Background Information
No Child Left Behind
•Driving force behind High-Stakes Standardized
Testing
•Passed in Congress in 2001
•Became law in 2002
6. Background Information
Four Pillars of No Child Left Behind
Stronger Accountability for Results
More Freedom for States and Communities
Proven Education Methods
More Choices for Parents
Taken from The U.S Department of Education’s No Child
Left Behind
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
7. Background Information
How are No Child Left Behind and high-stakes
standardized testing connected?
Under No Child Left Behind, each state must have an annual
assessment of their schools
The majority of states use standardized tests to measure
student progress
Information from The National Fair and Open Testing
http://www.fairtest.org/
8. Impact on K-12 Education
Pros Cons
Learn certain Taught only
subject areas what will be
on the tests
Assess what Do not assess
students are skills such
learning and analysis,
retaining synthesis,
evaluation,
and creativity
(Neill)
9. What can be done to address the
issue?
Solution:
Use formative assessments instead
Problem with the solution:
According to the article “The Case Against High-Stakes
Testing,” teachers aren’t skilled in many forms of
assessment.
Solution to this problem:
Require ongoing professional development and provide time
for teachers to collaborate on curriculum, instruction, and
assessment (Neill).
10. Conclusion
High-Stakes Standardized
Testing needs to be
changed
The current system is not
helping the students
Educational reform needs
to take place and make the
system more beneficial to
the students
11. References
All images from Microsoft PowerPoint Clipart
Neill, Monty. "The Case Against High-Stakes Testing."
Principal (Reston, Va.). 85.4 (March/April 2006): 28-
30, 32.
http://www.fairtest.org
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
