Standardized testing

Purpose of Schooling

Economic Goals of Schooling

• Human Capital Theory
• Investing in education
• Improve quality of country's workers 
• Compete in a global economy

Horace Mann believed in public education providing everyone with equal opportunity to economically succeed

A study by Laura-Lee Kearns believes the idea of equality of opportunity in the public education system to be false

"Social inequalities are reproduced and sustained through school practices. Arguably, standardized testing (re)produces these inequalities" (Kearns 114).

A gradual shift in education occurs as assessment of growth and achievement in schools falls under federal government control through standardized testing

Business Roundtable

• In 1995,
• CEOs from biggest corporations gathered for school reform
• Push for education to benefit the American corporate world
• Education should be led by experts in business & economy 
• "Nine Essential Components of a Successful Education System"

NO child left behind

• Passed in 2001 by George W. Bush
• "Nine Essential Components" served as its blueprint
• Assesses performance through standardized testing
• Directly involved in "training & certification of teachers"

High-Stakes Testing

• Proven to produce unequal levels of education
• Begins at the elementary level
• The sole determinant for promotion for every student
• Elementary students suffer from anxiety issues
• Example: Louisiana Classroom & Yale Psychologist, Rob Sternberg

FCAT Results

• In 2010
• 500 elementary schools dropped one grade level
• No gains in Reading or Mathematics

Reform

• Use standardized testing w/o consequences
• Focus more on teaching non-cognitive abilities
• Teaching life-long skills rather than "teaching for the test"
• Programs that foster creativity & inquiring minds
• Parents & teachers who are involved and decidicated