Nevertheless, such standardization is not fair when it disregards language barriers. Students, especially those for whom English is a second language, cannot be expected to earn the same scores as those who speak the language fluently. It isn t fair when it determines monetary gains or losses for schools and school districts. When schools lose funding for poor academic scores on tests, and when teachers are penalized because their students are not up to par with subject and class assessments, it only harms the students. Teachers lose their incentive to teach.
Schools get bad reputations, decreased enrollment and program cuts.
And students, of course, learn less. The rewards and punishments that come out of high-stakes testing make it clear that the focus is on money and not education. The testing hinders academic success for many, and it should be re-evaluated. Fortunately, the College of Education at San Jose State University held a forum Wednesday to inform students, teachers and parents about the tests. The only way things can change and improve is if we, as students, educators and parents, continue to be educated about topics related to our children.