Education in America is perhaps one of the most relevant and important issues, as is one of its sub-categories: standardized testing. Standardized testing is typically defined as the nation-wide testing that takes place in order to rank students according to the same standard. The controversy lies in whether the objectivity of the tests is the best measurement, though many essential elements of what it means to hold the titles of student and teacher. As a subcategory in education, one of the most important departments in our governmental system today, the issue of standardized testing should be considered and ideas should be put to action for the betterment of society as a whole.

Many citizens today are in favor of the standardized testing system in place currently, because it keeps elements of the educational experience accountable. Columbia University, a leading university in the nation, provides both pros and cons of standardized testing; however, one of the arguments presented for the pros side says, "Standardized testing gives teachers guidance to help them determine what to teach students and when to teach it. The net result is less wasted instructional time and a simplified way of timeline management.” With standardized testing, it is argued that it is also a simpler way of gauging how a certain demographic is performing versus another, as well as how each student is progressing according to the testing material. Those in favor of standardized testing believe that it is a way of ensuring all students have basic fundamental principles achieved and that all teachers have a mandatory set of materials that must be taught. Parents also tend to be in favor of the standardized testing system of today because it measures the quality of the school, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their child/student.

However, the con side also possesses valid arguments against the standardized testing system in our country. A major argument is that this testing does not measure everything that makes education meaningful. When students learn for the sake of the test because society tells them they cannot be successful citizens unless they perform well on these tests, love for learning is lost. The con side also holds to the idea that the test tests a student’s proficiency at the time of testing, excluding external factors, which then makes a judgment on an entire year of learning based on the few hours for the duration of the test. Columbia University also adds to the con side by saying, “These tests have been found to reduce group activities among students. Because the students spend a lot of time in preparing for standardized tests and therefore, skip the daily routines of playing and exercising.” Schools have also been known to decrease the amount of time dedicated to recess so as to improve their rankings as a school and therefore increase government funding. This form of “objective testing” has been known to result in a negative view of education and school by both students and teachers alike. This is a problem when the education department in our governmental system is perhaps one of the most influential of other categories and elements that run our nation.