Ticket out the Door

Pros and Cons of Standardization

I think standardization has multiple pros and cons.

Pros

• Able to keep a certain level of normality in which students can be tested against
• Universal screening, the first tier in RTI, is a method that would require some kind of standardized testing in order to see which students were below average and needed intervention
• Able to give the teacher a standard in order to see who can apply the material
• I think worksheets are a form of standardization - there ARE other ways of assessing application, though

Cons

• Teachers might teach to the test rather than incorporating real-world experiences and inquiry activities 
• Not enough student exploration
• Memorization rather than absorption and application of the information

I think standardization vs. performance assessment is a big issue these days in schools. I think the research tells us to use more inquiry-based, "hands-on, minds-on" learning and evaluate through portfolios and other alternative assessments. However, I think that the school systems still rely heavily on standardized tests for placements, achievement tests, etc. I, personally, lean more towards performance assessments, yet I do think that standardization has its place in the classroom, even if it is not to the extent of that of the school systems.