by Becky Longshore

Created on: June 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 14, 2009

As an elementary educator of seventeen years, I agree that the education system is entirely based on standardized testing as a measure of success. There are so many other ways of assessment. Many students do not do well on standardized tests. It is very important that educators know that students are learning. I do believe that some testing is necessary. But as a teacher who administers the SAT for third graders, I can see the drawbacks.

During the school year, teachers are so bogged down with knowing that the tests are coming up at the end of the year. That makes it mandatory to precede quickly through page after page of textbooks to make sure that you have covered all material. I really feel that third graders are too young to experience such testing.

The testing continues for students during their high school years. It may not be called SAT testing, but there are tests to pass before you can graduate. Students are allowed to take these tests for three or four years. If you can't pass these types of tests, you will only receive a diploma of participation. Even if a student has received a passing grade in each subject area, a graduation diploma will not be issued until all these tests are completed.

The State Department of Education is full of rules and regulations. I wonder sometimes if they really know what is important in life. This whole world is full of rules and regulations and the SAT is just another example.

When a student enters college, a parent or someone pays the tuition. It is up to the student to make a passing grade in each college class that he/she takes. I think that is where the responsibility should lie. Why can't a student be judged on the fact that he/she can pass a college exam?

Let's face it. College courses are tough. If a person is responsible enough to enroll in a college course, then maybe that person will try to learn something and pass the class. Some of the brightest people in the world may stink at taking standardized achievement tests.

It is only fair to say, at least on an elementary level, that standardized achievement tests lend themselves to a one out of four chance of selecting the right answer. Who's to say that luck of the draw is not part of some students scores on SAT tests? So, if you really want to see what some students can do, go ahead and put them in a college. Give them a chance and see what they can do.

I know that colleges have rules and regulations. They have people telling them what they can do and when they can do it. All educational facilities have rules and regulations. This will never be a perfect world and sometimes it is just not fair. And I also realize that everyone has to be accountable sometimes in their lives. So, I conclude that there is no right or wrong answer.

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