Standardized Testing Should be Altered

Everyone in the public school system has taken multiple standardized tests. From MCAS, or the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, to the SATs, or standardized testing that evaluates student’s admission into college, both are discriminating and unfair.

What is most unfair about MCAS is its inability to fit everyone’s testing needs. Scott Lang, Mayor of New Bedford in 2008, wrote an article in the Common Wealth magazine, “Ed Reform Must Move Beyond MCAS”. In this article, he describes how students, excluding the high school dropouts, that are well rounded and have a steady foundation are denied a high school diploma because they couldn’t pass the MCAS test. Lang goes on to explain that theoretically, the MCAS testing is in place to make sure students are reaching “the appropriate level of achievement” in education to graduate high school, but universities and colleges don’t consider MCAS scores when considering student admission.

            In an online U.S. News report written in 2013 by Thomas Robinson, a former GRE testing executive director, similar to the SATs, and now currently the president of Ithaca College, Robinson agrees that SATs don’t generate accurate results. He states that, “some potential students are deterred from applying to colleges that require a test score, because they are not comfortable with standardized tests.” He supports that eliminating SATs as a requirement would allow and encourage many more students to apply to college.

            It would be beneficial if the education system rethought the SATs. There should include various types of testing for people with learning disabilities or those who do better academically than on tests. Kelsey Page wrote an article on December 2^nd of 2014, “I Am More Than a Number: The Case Against SAT Scores in College Admissions” in “The Stanford Daily”. Her writing included this alternate SAT testing theory. She advised that eliminating the test completely would be detrimental, but altering it would generate better results as a whole.

            If altered standardized testing were to happen, more high school students would take the test, and scores would become more accurate. The best way to execute this is by petitioning and getting the attention of the SAT bored members.

            Sam Kauffmenn had already started to do so by her documented video “ACT Out Against SAT”. She had a petition signing that did not reach the expected goal, but started a movement. If it was better filmed and commercialized, the petition could have altered standardized testing for good.