Understanding Standardized State Testing

Posted by Jennifer Wagaman Feb 6, 2009

Thanks to the No Child Left Behind Act, every state has their own state assessment that students must take. These tests are standardized, which means that every student in a single grade takes the same test, and they are graded exactly the same. The purpose of this standardized testing is to measure each individual student by the same measuring stick, so to speak. If, for example, each teacher made up their own test, and administered it, the resulting grades would be subjective to the information the teacher chose to put on the test.

The main portion of each state assessment is reading and math. Some states may also test in other subjects, such as Maryland, which tests Science as well. As part of each tested subject, students are also required to answer questions in written form, in order to show proficiency in writing as well. Students in grades three through eight are required to take the standardized test, and their results are reported to the state in order to show how well each school is doing in regards to the children’s education.

Information has been gathered to show how various factors play into the success of each individual student on the tests, and you can find more information about some of these factors as well as tips for teachers to maximize on this information in these articles:

Raising Elementary Reading Test Scores

Raising Elementary Math Scores

Raising Middle School Reading Test Scores

Raising High School Reading Test Scores