Standardized testing has a racially charged history. Initially, standardized testing was developed to measure the academic ability of white students relative to students of color. In the early days of testing, the vast majority of test items were designed to measure white students’ abilities. This led to widespread discrimination against students of color.
Today, standardized testing is used to measure the academic abilities of students in all races, but the disparities in how these tests are used remain. In some cases, schools use standardized tests to determine a student’s placement in a school or to determine whether a student is eligible for a gifted program. However, standardized tests are often used to measure a student’s academic ability in comparison to other students in the same school or district. This can lead to students of color being disproportionately measured as below average.
There are several efforts underway to change the way standardized testing is used. One proposal is for standardized tests to be used solely to measure a student’s academic ability. Another proposal is for standardized tests to be used to measure a student’s academic ability and also to identify areas in which the student needs help. Neither of these proposals has been fully implemented, but the conversation about how standardized testing should be used is ongoing.
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Today, standardized testing is used to measure the academic abilities of students in all races, but the disparities in how these tests are used remain. In some cases, schools use standardized tests to determine a student’s placement in a school or to determine whether a student is eligible for a gifted program. However, standardized tests are often used to measure a student’s academic ability in comparison to other students in the same school or district. This can lead to students of color being disproportionately measured as below average.
There are several efforts underway to change the way standardized testing is used. One proposal is for standardized tests to be used solely to measure a student’s academic ability. Another proposal is for standardized tests to be used to measure a student’s academic ability and also to identify areas in which the student needs help. Neither of these proposals has been fully implemented, but the conversation about how standardized testing should be used is ongoing.
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