In recent years, standardized testing has become a significant component of schooling in the United States. A standardized test can be defined as 1) a test that requires all test takers to answer all the same questions or questions from a common bank, and 2) a test that is graded in a ‘standard’ or uniform manner. Some of the most prevalent problems with standardized testing include the pressures these exams place on both teachers and students, the inaccuracy they have in measuring students’ academic abilities, their lack of creativity, and the disproportionate effects they have on students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. 

As future teachers and policy-makers, we believe standardized testing is crushing students’ will to learn and teachers’ will to teach. There needs to be a reform within our country’s public education system. We believe there must be a way to utilize national testing programs in a way that benefits students and teachers, rather than harming them. We are confident that there are better assessment formats available — ones that more accurately measure student aptitude and overall student achievement, such as portfolio assessment. It is crucial that we realize the importance of learning for life (versus learning for a test score) and eliminate standardized testing before it’s too late. 

Putting an end to standardized testing as we know it would benefit students, families, teachers, and administrators across the country. For students, it is likely that instances of testing anxiety would decrease and children’s level of enjoyment at school would increase. Students would be able to channel their creativity by engaging in different types of assessments, such as projects, presentations, papers, and videos. By terminating standardized testing, we can create a more equitable education system that doesn’t discriminate against students’ racial group or socioeconomic status. This will allow more students to participate in valuable educational opportunities that they would normally miss out on due to their test scores. 

Our suggestion is to institute a nationally-based portfolio assessment program that monitors students’ yearly progress and overall academic achievement. Rather than students receiving a score that determines their future, students would receive a holistic analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, completed by a committee of past and present professionals in education. This may seem like an outrageous goal, but achieving it begins with YOU. Please sign our petition to put an end to standardized testing and reform the United States public school assessment system for good!