Should Standardized Testing be done away with at the high school level.?

Question

Should Standardized Testing be done away with at the high school level.?

Why or Why not? Do these tests help students become more academically competitive or does it discourage/ deter them? What would be a good method to assess a student's progress if theses tests were eliminated?

Answer 1

I think it should, we already have so many pressures

The students grades, afterschool activities, sports, permenite record and criminal record should be looked at.

one test should not decide a person's future

Answer 2

yes, there a "required waste of time"

=]

Answer 3

most high level colleges don't just use test scores to determine entrance.. they look at everything...

the tests are used to gage how well you would do in college and compare you to other highschoolers across the USA. if there were no scores it would be impossible to compare one student from another... the test provides an "even" playing field... every student gets the same questions and whatnot... so the colleges can get an idea...also if scores were gone the application would seem less academically focused... the only thing they would have to go on is your grades...

so if a kid who goes to a hard school has a 3.0 and a kid who goes to an easy school has a 4.0... then student #2 would look better... but if student #2 had an ACT score of 18 and the other an ACT score of 34.... you would get a better idea of how they perform nationally

also extracurriculars are important, but just because you are involved doesn't make you qualified for a good school...also it would put more weight on the essays, which is even more pressure for the students

i think they should stay... but i don't think they should be the main deciding factor