Question:
What were your own experiences with standardized testing when you were a student in middle or high school?
Response:
I am a product of the No Child Left Behind Act so it was not until college that I thought twice about standardized testing. As a middle school student I remember taking standardized test as a way of "checking" up on my academic progress. I was a part of the "gifted" program so excelling at these test were more than desired, they were required. I never tested poorly, which may be why I never gave the entire process a second thought. In high school I changed counties and lost all my academic records from middle school. I was placed on a lower track and stayed there until my mother got me out. It was then that I began to see the importance of these test scores. I was in the gifted program from the 3rd grade because of my scores, however as soon as the scores were lost my quality of work was not sufficient enough to prove my academic potential. I am interested in finding out how the standards movement affects students, especially those who unlike myself, continue to be academically suppressed simply because of their scores.
My Past Is My Future
