Benefits to Standardized Testing?

Rarely does the public hear that standardized testing has benefits. With NCLB legislation and teachers voicing concerns over 'teaching to the test,' the public has legitimate concern over them. Standardized testing is also tied to an assortment of other controversial issues, like teaching methods and national core standards. The benefits, however, are out there; otherwise standardized testing maybe would not be as prevalent as it is. Compared to many alternatives it is less expensive to create and administer. It is objective and easy to score. The results are easy to understand and now, are easily accessible for educators.

As a sustainable practice in education, Chicago Public Schools District #299 gave their teachers hand held devices, in part to analyze results of standardized test scores:

During the 2004-2005 school year, the Chicago Public Schools' Office of Technology Services eLearning (OTS eLearning) and the Office of Literacy began collaborating to administer early literacy screening and diagnostic assessments using personal digital assistants (PDAs) and a Web-based data management tool. The project goal is to streamline assessments so teachers can make data-driven decisions to improve instruction and enhance student achievement.

This situation used standardized testing scores to benefit student learning. For instance, teachers and administrators had "immediate access to assessment data." Previously results from student testing arrived over the summer when teachers were not present. Classes and teachers change yearly and then the data was not in an electronic format to follow students. Even if teachers attended professional development meetings that covered the results, they needed to make or buy new materials to address student needs. Basically, the process of receiving data and then applying the information in a way to help students was out of date. In Chicago this is changing. Teachers "use the data to improve instructional practices to impact student achievement," right from their PDAs. The data is connected to online lessons and methods tailored to meet students' needs. Teachers see what the students' needs are and have immediate ideas to direct their teaching.

This program is working and described as a "truly successful collaboration." Learning is improving, not just test scores. Such a change can influence other aspects of education as well. If such programs were made available to other teachers and schools, students, parents, teachers and administrators would see the purpose of standardized testing and support it. A lack of support and apathy toward standardized testing is one reason for possible low scores. This is not to say that standardized testing is not without problems or should be continued at such a frequency. However, Chicago schools are using the results in a positive way and helping students gain sustainable educations.

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