Why do most schools only focus on Standardized Tests?

Question

I am from Texas, and down here we have to take the T.A.K.S Test at the end of the year, incase you're wondering what TAKS means, it means:

Texas
Assesment of
Knowledge and
Skills

In school, we (as in this school district) only focus on the TAKS, like today, for example, i asked a question, and got ," This isn't in the TAKS, I'll tell you after the Test."

And it just leaves me thinking why are standardized tests the main focus in some states?

Answer 1

Because George Bush is "the education president"

Answer 2

Ah yes... When I first started teaching in TX many, many years ago, it was called TAAS. (I guess they got tired of the "TAAS my cookies" joke.)

Not only is this tied to money but to accountability. Districts need a way to show that individual schools and teachers are "doing their jobs". Never mind that some teachers believe that they need to "teach to the test". (There are ways to teach content without doing so.)
Which bothers me about what your teacher said... If teachers are given the proper support and resources, you shouldn't be able to tell if what they are teaching is related to TAKS or not.
I make every attempt to cover the content via units, projects, authentic activities. I only go over test strategies or how to narrow choices down to the best answer if they are unsure and cannot come up with an answer on their own, common sense stuff.
A better teacher would have gone ahead and answered the question... just my opinion.

Answer 3

Standardized tests allow comparison between schools--everyone takes the same test, so schools can claim they teach better than others. I remember a school where no one learned their times tables, and the parents thought their kids were getting good grades, so must be learning OK.
Sounds like your teacher is just focussed on the test, though, and not on teaching --that, btw, is the bad part of standardized testing.

Answer 4

Most schools really want the students to do well on the standardized tests, because even though it doesn't count as a grade for you, the school gets "graded" on how well the students are being taught.

Answer 5

School funding is often tied to standardized test performance, and schools bringing up the rear may face staff changes that the teachers' union would just as soon avoid.

Answer 6

No Child Left Behind

Answer 7

School work is very different from the Standardized test , don't get fooled by teacher who tell you:that you are good ,Don't get fool ,so study and achieve what you can to pass the standardized test

Answer 8

Politicians and lawmakers can't knmow the true performance of each student under their wing. Test give them a general view of how their students perform. having number grades is far easier than having other stnadrads like effort or desire

Answer 9

because that's the only thing they do is study for tests thats whe learn in school for Isats and other things like college and get a good job!

Answer 10

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