Critical Response Proposal

I am choosing to write my critical response paper on standardized testing.  As a high school senior, standardized testing is extremely important at this point in my life.  Test scores have the power to determine a lot for my future.  Also, standardized testing is a hot topic in politics today.  With the appointment of a new secretary of education, Betsy Devos, the controversy of standardized testing has increased.

As a student, I have the opportunity to hear the opinions of many of my peers.  Most of them hate standardized testing.  They think that it is unfair because they are often unprepared.  They feel that each teacher presents information differently.  Therefore, it is not fair that everyone has to take the same test no matter what teacher they had.

The next point of view comes from teachers.  In most standardized test, teachers do not have access to the test before it is given to their students.  They are often left in the dark, so they have to try their best to predict what information is on the test.

Colleges are the last group stakeholders.  When considering the admission of students, they often look at the ACT and SAT.  Although standardized testing is used when getting into college, these types of tests are not implemented often once the student has made it to college.

For my research, I plan to look at interviews from Betsy Devos.  I also plan on watching her debates on the subject.  I will also look at data charts and graphs to back up the three different stakeholders.  I will also use online articles.

Is standardized testing beneficial?

What elements make up a standardized test?

How could standardized testing be reformed?

How much weight is given to standardized testing by admissions of colleges?

How do students with different backgrounds but similar intellectual levels score on test?

How does a standardized test score effect the future success a student?

How has the emphasis of standardized testing evolved over the years?