In the past few years standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, State standardized tests (in PA it's the PSSA's and Keystones) have become increasingly more common in the U.S. However, there are many other countries that give fewer or no standardized tests and actually have their students do better overall in school and in the real world. Many countries that are not giving standardized tests are actually proving that these tests are not helping us do better, and in many cases, may actually hurt students.
In the typical U.S. student's lifetime, in the 12-13 years they are in k-12th grade. They will take not only in-class tests, but also take-home tests, mid-terms, and final exams. On top of that, they will take 3-4 different types of standardized tests. Additionally, students are expected to do homework (which as students progress in school they tend to get more of), and keep up with extracurricular activities. Students are pressured to do well on these tests because the government (and even parents) believe it will help the students to do better in the real world, however, these tests actually aren’t helping anyone.
For example, greatschools.org talks about how Finland uses very little standardized testing, students have very little homework, and it has a comprehensive preschool that helps its students with their social skills and communication skills. ALL teachers have their masters degrees, students are separated into college and vocational tracks during the last three years of high school (similar to but later than in Germany), and diagnostic tests of students is used early and frequently to help students. Their teachers get professional development days to improve their skills. And schools there that are funded the most most are the middle school because those are the years where most of the kids drop out. This shows that everything Finland does for their schools are for their students and not to just test the life out of them. Because Finland does this with its students, the students actually do better overall in school and outside of school.
Finland is one of the many examples of the many countries giving fewer standardized tests, and fewer tests in general, where their students are actually MORE successful in school than the students in the U.S. Why would we use a standardized test when none of our students are "standard" students? No one student is considered a standard student so having a standardized test is pointless. Mark Twain once said, "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will go its whole life believing it is stupid." I believe by having standardized tests we are judging a fish's ability to climb a tree when it is meant to swim in water. I know that I am also not alone in this belief. All in favor of no more standardized testing say I......
