by Todd Pheifer

Created on: June 12, 2009   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

Measuring success

One of the many challenges associated with modern education is the issue of outcomes and competencies. In most cases, people agree that it would be ideal to have standard expectations for education that everyone could agree on and implement. Of course, the reality is that educators, administrators, and a variety of other "experts" have differing opinions on the proper way to educate the student population. Perspectives are impacted by societal beliefs, prior experiences, anecdotes, exposures of other educational systems, and longitudinal research.

Putting together a strategy

The task set before schools and districts is to listen to the different opinions and constituencies and then make a decision. This challenge is compounded by the fact that they must make curriculum-based decisions, but also fiscally sound decisions. Unfortunately for school districts, the "ideal" educational system may not always be the most affordable. When schools and districts make decisions on proper instrumentation, there will always be those who disagree with the tests that are used. The use of certain tests will obviously affect how teachers conduct their curriculum and lesson plans. Here are a few thoughts on the impact of standardized tests on education today.

Teaching outcomes

In theory, if the standardized test is based on instructional outcomes as determined by the school, then there shouldn't be a major problem. Of course, education is much more complex than the best case scenarios and what seems to make sense "on paper." Teachers and administrators often have differences of opinion as to how outcomes should be measured. Different types of tests can measure various levels of ability and learning style. When a standardized test is introduced, the teacher is in many ways compelled to alter their particular outcomes and methodologies to the test itself, rather than having broader freedom to craft their classroom based on personal experience and teaching philosophy.

Test taking methodology

The presence of a standardized test may lead certain teachers to what some would call, "teaching to the test." This concept revolves around the teacher adjusting their methodology more towards specific test taking strategies, rather than teaching competencies in more standard educational ways. Again, if the standardized test measures outcomes of the curriculum, then teaching to the test may be perfectly acceptable. The problem is that critics worry that

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