One of the many things that students expect with every passing school year is standardized tests such as the SAT and NJSLA. Standardized tests are any tests administered and scored in the same consistent or standard manner, but why do students so commonly dread them? One of the many reasons for this could be the complicated schedules that are instituted as a result of the tests and their extremely complex requirements and rules. Another reason could simply be the difficulty of these tests. Students’ reasons for disliking standardized tests can vary, but they are commonly the same few causes.
By asking various people the same set of three questions concerning their opinions on standardized tests, I have compiled the opinions of those asked and have come to the consensus that students have some similarities and differences throughout their responses. Still, all of them showed some form of a dislike towards standardized tests and most saw them as completely unnecessary. I also asked a teacher the same questions to provide insight into teachers’ perspectives regarding standardized tests.
Starting on the side of the students, a grand majority of those asked stated that they believed the tests were unnecessary except for one. Avery Shluker stated that she believes they are necessary so that the “government can see if schools are operating properly and meeting curricular requirements.” This is practically the only difference in all of the students polled, as the closest response was the teacher’s response.
Onto the remainder of the students polled, every other student said that standardized tests were unnecessary and they also all stated that standardized tests weren’t difficult and instead said that it might be stressful. However, differences appeared with all of the students polled when it came to our last question. To highlight a couple of interesting responses, I’m first going to highlight what Vanessa Pennella said which was that “the tests should be more focused on what you wanna do in life” and is the most interesting responder to the last question as she thinks that standardized tests should be focused more on real-life situations rather than tests on school curriculum.
Another interesting response from a student was Isabella Martell, who said that she would like the tests more if they were optional, stating “If it were optional, I would” in response to the question. She dismissed the idea of liking the test more if it were just made easier.
Now that we’ve highlighted the perspective of the students who were asked these questions, it’s time for us to highlight the perspective of a teacher.
I asked Mrs. Santoro, an English teacher and the advisor for the Roxbury Review for her opinion on the matter. When asked about them being necessary she said that she thinks they are needed, stating “I see the need for it, but I don’t agree with how much of an emphasis is put on it.” She went on, saying “I don’t think it should be a graduation requirement and that teachers shouldn’t teach to the test’s contents.” When it comes to the difficulty of these tests, she argues that it is dependent on the contents of the test and the intended difficulty of the test, she says “Sometimes they’re too appropriate, but sometimes they are overly complicated.” She said that whether they make them easier or more difficult, it doesn’t make a difference to her as she still has the same job of being a test proctor.
In conclusion, many people in the student body tend to have a hatred for standardized testing, but the reasons may vary based on the person that you ask, although it does commonly circle back around to either the stigma around standardized testing or the stress that it brings in terms of difficulty and the method that the tests are conducted in.
