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STAFF EDITORIAL: Standardized tests more harm than good

A plan proposed by the House and Senate education committees may give Texas students a break from excessive standardized testing.

The proposal would do away with the requirement, originally proposed in 1998 by then-Gov. George W. Bush, that students pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test before moving on to the next grade, The Associated Press reported. Under the plan, school districts would again shape their own criteria for passing students.

Controversy has long surrounded standardized tests, but critics became increasingly vocal when the No Child Left Behind act required schools across the nation to use tests as progress indicators.

Under the act, schools must test students in grades 3 through 8 in math and reading, and the scores must reflect "adequate yearly progress." The effectiveness of the act has been debated, with the AP reporting that "some studies show students’ math and reading skills have improved, but also that schools have cut back on history, music and other subjects."

Critics also question the benefit of teachers molding lesson plans around yearly standardized tests, dropping other lessons to "teach to the test."

In Texas, the TAKS test was modified to meet NCLB requirements, but students do not appear to be benefiting from either the act or the changes.

The AP reported Oct. 14 that "the number of Texas schools at the most advanced level of failing federal improvement standards increased tenfold over last year."

But Texas isn’t alone.

The New York Times reported Oct. 12 that "in the 40 states reporting on their compliance so far this year, on average, 4 in 10 schools fell short of the law’s testing targets."

Standardized tests result in a "one-size fits all" education that simply does not fit the country’s diverse student population. Subjecting vastly different students to the same tests and then evaluating an entire school on the results is unfair and detrimental to those that may be making progress in education on a more individual level.

On top of that, the increase in the number of standardized tests taken led to about 45 million tests being graded incorrectly in 2006 as companies were overloaded with submissions, the Times reported.

Standardized tests breed too many problems, and we hope those considering the House and Senate education committees’ proposal realize this. Good riddance, TAKS.

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