Test

Hello. I am glad to be debating with you. Let me start off by saying that I grew up in a household who's income was in education, so I do know what testing can do to both teachers, parents, and students alike. What is the effect of testing on teachers? First, testing puts an unfair amount of pressure on educators. They fear that if their students' test results are poor, that they themselves will be blamed for it. This is why teachers are often very conservative with their teaching in the classroom - they know that fun and games will not be what the final exams are made up of. So, they hold back from doing things exciting in the classroom, that have the potential to really educate students - and, instead, do bookwork and other such work because this is really what the tests are. No fun and games. Also, testing causes teachers to rush with their teaching. Instead of taking time to really educate the students, they hurry to teach everything that may be included on these tests. They don't spend quality time educating their students; instead, they rush to make certain that everything on tests has been - somewhat - taught. So which is better - students who really understand what they are doing, or students who somewhat get the subject they are being taught and just barely pass - or fail - tests? What effect do tests have on parents? Testing doesn't have as big an effect on parents, but it can cause them to have anxiety. They realize that their child is bright; however, they failed the final exam in one class - but made acceptable grades in this class throughout the year. The only reason that the child failed is because he/she has a slight fear of tests, and this anxiety caused he/she not to do so hot. Parents are then caught up in this mess; do I let my child go on, or must I hold them back another year? I believe that testing puts an unfair amount of anxiety on parents of both smart and not-so-smart children. What effect do tests have on students? The big one. First, phobia of tests is at high numbers in the student population. These students fear the results they may get back in the mail: did I exceed, or meet, or fail? I believe that testing does not show true student records. They may have been bright in that one particular class, but fail the test due to anxiety or other such factors. And, another thing: outside factors, such as one's home life, parents, etc. may have a huge impact on how students do on tests. Say that a student's parents are in the midst of a divorce, and the final exams are about to occur. Say that on the morning of the exam, this student's father hit his mother and drove away; the student may never see his father again. Do you honestly believe that this student is going to give as much effort on a test as other students who's home situation is fine? No; and if it were me, I could care less about taking a test. So, in my opinion, testing puts an unfair amount of anxiety on teachers, parents, and students alike. Teachers may not teach their subjects wholly. Parents may fear the first of their child and get caught up in the midst of an emotional situation: do I allow my child to go on, or must I hold them back? And students may have testing anxiety, or may experience other outside factors that are affecting them poorly on tests. Testing does not show true student ability. I am against testing; I have seen the effect it can have on everyone - teachers, parents, and students alike.