Running head: STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS 1
STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS
Karina Hernandez
Florida International University
PAD 6436
Diane Benitez
June 15, 2020
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Standardized Assessment
Standardized assessment is much demonized in certain circles as an abhorrent type of
testing (Poulsen and Hewson, 2014). They highlight numerous challenges linked to the usage of
standardized assessments. Some criticize the procedure of the creation and administration of the
tests. At the same time, others disapprove of it because of it’s impact on learners. On the
contrary, specific individuals perceive standardized testing as a representation of real assessment.
These persons emphasize that this form of testing provides a platform for an unbiased
comparison of performance. The standardized assessment has acquired a central position in
American education (Poulsen and Hewson, 2014). Stakeholders in the field of education have
debated the value of this approach of assessment. Therefore, it is essential to create an
understanding of the procedure as well as analyze whether the method has accomplished its goal
in the education sector. This paper will explore the goals of a standardized approach and whether
the goals have been achieved or have failed. It will also uncover the advantages and
disadvantages, as well as analyze it through an ethical lens.
What is a Standardized Assessment?
Poulsen and Hewson (2014) define standardized assessment as a test in which all the
learners writing the examination tackle the same questions. It is designed to enhance fairness.
Students are expected to demonstrate the required information in a unified format, which are
commonly multiple choices. The setup of various choices is relatively easy to create, administer
as well as score. The experts argue that standardized assessment entails tests where instructions
are graded for all examinees (Poulsen and Hewson, 2014). It eliminates the aspect of some
students being at a disadvantage. According to the experts, each student is accorded a similar
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amount of time. In other words, all learners who are sitting for a standardized exam must submit
their papers at the same time. Kinay and Ardıç (2017) define standardized assessment as a tool of
testing where the administering and scoring are done according to predetermined standards.
Typically, the test comprises of a manual that describes the approach used when interpreting
conditions of application, principles of scoring, and obtained scores.
The development of a standardized test must comply with the accredited standards of
developing exams (Kinay and Ardıç, 2017). Participants in the examination are required to
answer the same questions under similar conditions. Kinay and Ardıç also emphasize that all
students are accorded similar instructions as well as test duration. They emphasize that the
examiners must adhere to related directives and procedures of undertaking evaluation. They must
follow the guidelines stipulated in the assessment manual (Kinay and Ardıç, 2017). The
researchers note that the most common type of standard type of examination is multiple-choice
assessment. It implies that learners are required to find the right answers to asked questions from
the choices provided. They add that standardized assessments contain predetermined variables
and are universal to every student. Fairman et al. (2018) state that a standardized assessment is
administered under controlled conditions to facilitate a comparison of learners over time. It
implies that each test-taker experiences tests of similar complexity and is supervised like others.
It is worth noting that standardized tests could vary depending on various factors. The factors
include the kind of participants, the format of assessment, and the approach used to compare
performance.
Goals of Standardized Assessment
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Standardized assessment is utilized in the educational system to achieve various
purposes. One of the goals of standardized evaluation is to assess the achievement of students.
The aim of schooling is the development of literate persons. Thus, the assessment is aimed at
evaluating the status of learners’ progress. The tests provide an opportunity for students to be
assessed concerning predetermined standards or benchmarks. The annual growth of students can
be inferred through test results (Afflerbach, 2017). The standardized assessment produces scores,
which can be compared. Practitioners, as well as parents, desire that student achievements be
compared to those of their peers. For instance, most parents would want to know if their children
are meeting the stipulated benchmarks. Moreover, parents are always curious concerning how
their children’s performance compares to that of their peers across the country.
