High stakes tests are tests which are used to make life changing decisions. They may be used for schools, educators, students, or even districts. They are often used for accountability purposes. Such a test may include an attempt to certify that students are being enrolled in schools which are efficient and that the teachers teaching there are qualified. In this case, the test would be administered by local, state, or federal agencies. School administrators can also conduct such a test. The test outcomes are used as a means to determine the punishments, accolades, advancements, or compensations which will be issued . The punishments may involve funding reductions, penalties, sanctions, or negative publicity. Damages may include bonuses or salary increments. Advancements may be in the form of graduation in the case of students or promotions as asserted by Wilson (2007). Accolades involve positive publicity, awards or public celebration.
According to Au (2007), h igh stakes testing was created to ensure that all children had an equal chance to quality education despite their financial status or physical state. The tests motivate students, administrators and teachers to work extra hard to make certain that there is a good performance. However, teachers may make students perform highly in the tests forgetting the essential knowledge since they will be focusing on the places that will be tested . The response to the tests may not reflect their level of education. The results may be misguiding. Despite the good intentions of the tests, they have some drawbacks. First of all, the over-emphasis on Mathematics creates de-emphasis on some subjects like music, art, physical education and other sciences. The tests promote constricted learning which is narrowed down to the areas being tested ( Au, 2007). The grading may also raise the need to cheat to meet the set standards. Those performing poorly may also choose to drop out after failing to qualify to the next level so many times.
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However, the high stakes tests do have some advantages. High-stake testing gives the society confidence that the students have acquired the necessary skills in succeeding in life. The numerical information from the tests can be easily understood and be used to gauge the school’s or student’s performance ( Amrein and Berliner, 2002) . It also shows the areas that need improvement. Students are also motivated to work harder thereby achieving much knowledge. Teachers also put more effort in making sure that students are taught everything that they are supposed to learn.
References
Amrein, A. L., & Berliner, D. C. (2002). High-stakes testing & student learning. Education policy analysis archives, 10, 18.
Au, W. (2007). High-stakes testing and curricular control: A qualitative metasynthesis . Educational researcher , 36(5), 258-267.
Wilson, L. D. (2007). High-stakes testing. Second handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning, 1099.
