The Great Debate: Does prepping for standardized tests pay off?
Editor’s note: There is much discussion about standardized tests and how much prepping helps students raise their good scores. Unfortunately, we students – who are most directly affected by the tests – usually aren’t part of the conversation. Although our test scores don’t affect us individually, they can have a big impact on our schools – particularly under the federal No Child Left Behind law, which can influence schools’ funding, leadership, even their survival. Before students are asked to break the seal on their test booklets, teachers usually give us a pep talk. “Do your best,” they’ll say. “These tests will have a great impact on you. It’s really important you do well.” Why must we take these tests? Why do we spend so much class time preparing? My teachers have said little more than, “You have to take it because the state requires it.” I’ve never been satisfied with this answer, so I decided to investigative more deeply so we all can better understand something that has such a h
