Ok, do you believe they should do away with standardized tests at schools?
82905
In a perfect world, it would be nice to not have to rely on things such a standardized tests to measure the quality of education, but in a country with such a huge public school system, that is not really probable. I don't think standardized tests in themselves are a bad thing. I agree that there should be standards and checkpoints. It becomes a problem when teachers are forced to teach to these tests. The true goal of education is lost in trying to raise test-scores. This is even more true when the attainment of school-funding rides on these tests. No Child Left Behind is a disasterous plan. Even if its trickery works and some test scores are raised, are students actually learning more?\nTo completely abolish the use of standardized tests would mean a complete renovation of our public school system, and unfortunately, that is not going to happen.
686612
It's OK, but I would start by introducing the topic. "The idea of requiring potential voters to take and pass a test before being allowed to vote is a controversial one. My team and I concur that this is an unfair requirement which violates many American's constitutional rights."
850959
No but they should be. The only problem with that is who will give the tests? Other people in political office, or doctors in the politicians pockets? I think it would be hard to get someone to do it honestly in the first place.
659233
HOT TOPIC!  I have mixed views.  On the 1 hand the test is at an 8th grade level, so yes I want high school graduates to pass.  And, they do get 6 chances to pass.  On the other hand some of the students that have to take the test are immagrants new to the state.  It is unfair that they have to pass an english test.  I do think we as a state need to revisit the law and develop an ammendment to better meets the needs of every student and takes each circumstance under consideration.
455425
IMO, standardized testing has been mandated (No Child Left Behind) because cronies of Bush &Co own companies that produce, administer, and score standardized tests.
971839
As long as Academic Standards were constantly pushed higher by the increased competition, I'm all for giving Parents more control over their children's education.\nIf it means dismantling the least successful school districts in\nfavor of advancement for the student, I wont shed a single tear for the career bearucrats who have a stranglehold on the current system.
258147
we had to pass an exit exam when I was in private school and just because you do the time in school doesn't mean you know the material...these tests just show how much students actually learned and if they can't pass then no they should not graduate.
688514
If you had to take a test they wouldn't be rights now would they? If they would put education back in the schools a normal person would have some sense by the time they were eighteen.
916144
Standardized testing refers to the uniformity of procedure in administering and scoring a test.  This standardization is essential in order to compare one person or group of persons with another person or group.  And, to compare a person with him or herself over time.\n\nThe issue you are raising is not with standardized testing, but with how test content drives the content of the school's curriculum.  Restricting course content to the areas that will be tested ensures that more students will pass the test.  And, some school administrations do evaluate their teachers on the basis of numbers successful on the test.\n\nIn my opinion, the nation-wide emphasis on specific skills has negatively impacted the richness of past public primary and secondary education.  More and more parents and students seem to be coming to the same conclusion that you have reached.  Some are switching to home schooling or enrolling in private schools.  However, you can become responsible for your own enrichment without withdrawing from the public schools.  Simply change your expectations of what they are able to offer.  However, do your very best on the TAKS.  It is a serious endeavor.\n\nYou ask if this is fair.  The answer depends on how you define fair.  There is currently a powerful movement in this country to improve student performance.  It may be instructive to use causal analysis to examine the source of this movement.  Your questions are good ones.  Continue to be inquisitive.\n\nI hope this helps.  If you are interested, read more about the No Child Left Behind Act and how communities around the country have responded.
225316
I honestly do not think so. if they did then I think that they would make it a little bit easier. the average student really does not do very well on it. I failed the math section when I took it 6 years ago. I think that it is bs that at least in our school district, you have to pass all aspects of the wasl in order to graduate. and I do not think that it is right that the teachers have to teach outside of their curriculum just to give the students the information that they need to pass it. I know of several teachers who say " forget everything that you have been taught, and do it this way just for this year" and then expect the kids to do just that and then bounce back to what they had learned previous years afterwards. IT'S WRONG!!!!!!
660397
No, they shouldn't.  They go to school to better their life, and future.  It is for their benefit to go to shcol.  Unless, they are willing to pay for their own school tution.  Have you wonder how much those school cost, between tution, books, materials, etc. etc. it is gettin so expensive every year.\n\nBut, one thing I would think would be alright is reward those who work hard in school.  Just like those who have jobs work hard, and then they get advanced, so the kids.  You work hard, you get rewarded, you don't! you are the one who is losing the rewards in the mean time, and their furture.
828257
I think it is a great idea.  If the public schools don't do their job, as judged by the parents, the parents should get their per pupil allotment in a voucher to use elsewhere.\n\nIncentive for the school to do better, ability for our children to get better education if private schools can do it better for the same amount.
60249
WEll Its as you say above. The govern. and everyone out there is at fault. They are teaching our children things that have no value. Thing thats are so unnecessary. I don't feel nor believe that our children are failing it's our state. There was something in the news last year about the taks tests and our news reporter had requested that they had need to take the taks test and some did some denied him and those that took it failed it .. He made he's point . How do they expect so much out of the kids and run them so dry and yet not even those who support and participate in the taks can pass their own test !!! All they are is full of hipocrisy !!! It's sad how it has become...\n\nAND JUST TO RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE ANSWERS NOT ALL EXPERIANCES ARE GREAT. THERE ARE ALOT OF TEACHERS THAT STICK TO THE NEW METHODS AND ARE AFRAID TO STEP UP! CAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NUMERUS OF TIMES THAT I SPEAK TO THEM AND THEY'LL ADMITT IT  DUE TO KEEPING THEIR JOB .IT IS ONE OUT OF FIFTY THAT A TEACHER WILL GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO TEACH A LESSON . Voluntering yes I agree,but that still does not change the facts !!! Who wants to be like their parents !!!? I sure never did ! I wanted to be better then them and I that am... Now I tell my kids I want them to be better then us.. and thats the way it ought to be period. If you are some low life, alcoholic,sex offender , thief, drug abuser or homeless do you honestly think that your kids would want to be like you !! LOL you are really kidding yourself.. No kid wants to be like their parent and they don't fallow in their parents foot steps . At least not all....
546719
Many people don't understand that a student may be cognizant of and understand the concepts s/he's expected to know, but be unable to test well due to a variety of factors.  Standardized tests don't typically measure a student's ability to apply knowledge, only the ability to memorize facts.  Students with better memorization skills do better on standardized tests.  Our current political and social culture, however, understandably seeks a certain level of accountability for both schools and students.  Unfortunately, standardized testing isn't necessarily a good measure of how bright or knowledgeable a student is, or how good of a job a school or teacher is doing; instead, it encourages teachers to teach to the test rather than teach students to apply critical thinking skills.  No one, however, has yet to come up with an alternative standard of measurement that can be applied equitably, and I doubt anyone ever will.  Instead, we need to recognize that every child has his/her own learning style and pace, to educate teachers to recognize students who are struggling or falling behind, and to give them the time and the resources to teach all of the children in their care to the best of their abilities.
730071
our government has put the act test in place because our high school students at an all time dysfunctional state,they cheat.Now they have to stay prepared in each highschool grade.They can not slide through as the teachers use to pass them the next level& they didnot even know how to read.Now they just drop out if they can't make the grade.Alot of help for them if they inquire & ask.Can not get into collage if not pass. They may take more than once in their senior year if they fail.It asks questions in all english,math, science,Gov.The test cost money to take. Which I think is not fair.First test may be free but all other you pay for.I do not go to school but my granddaughter is a junior & wants to go to collage ,she tells me some about it.I am sure there are more ans. coming to help you piece it all together. Take care, kell65
705227
I worked as a professional in an exam board for 25 years. They are not easier, just different. They now test more skills and fewer facts - often referred to as 'test and forget'. Skills set a student up for life, facts set him/her up for the exam day itself. On a different point, making them harder will do no good at all as the best students do not score full marks (or anywhere near) as it is. If the top students are getting marks around 70% and the median is around 50%, all that making them harder will do is bring that range down, it won't affect the grades. If people want fewer A and B grades then the exams can be left alone and the proportion of these grades reduced - but that will deny good A students the grade they should have had and would have had if they had taken the exam a few years earlier. And THAT is tinkering with the standards.
1025502
I believe they should be completely banned.\n\nBut sadly in some cases, they are not.\n\nThis is because of those teachers who do not know how to control their students except by violent methods.