The Pros and Cons of Standardized Tests 

The use of standardized tests is vigorously debated. As an educator, understanding the benefits of standardized tests, and their potential flaws, is key to promoting optimal child development. This is especially important for children in marginalized groups, such as those in poverty and non-native English speakers. The goal of this discussion forum is to help you make the most of standardized tests

Book   Wortham, S. C., & Hardin, B. J. (2020). Assessment in early childhood education (8th ed.). Pearson Education. 

 Prepare

To prepare for this discussion,

• Read Chapters 4 and 5 of the course text. Be sure to explore the examples of standardized tests in Chapter 4 that list assessments broken down by ages:
  
  • Neonatal and Infant Tests: Figure 4.1
  • Preschool Tests: Figure 4.4
  • School-Aged Tests: Figure 4.6
• Read the excerpt from Developmentally Appropriate PracticeLinks to an external site. titled, Observing, Documenting, and Assessing Children’s Development and Learning.
• Review the nine-minute video, Do Standardized Tests Do More Harm Than Good?Links to an external site.
• Choose one age group. Then, search online to learn more about one of the listed assessments from the text or choose a different standardized assessment that you find from your own research or experience to discuss.

In your initial post of at least 250 words,

• Name the standardized assessment you chose to research for this discussion. 
• Identify the age group that this assessment is designed for. 
• Describe what you learned about the validity and reliability information for the chosen assessment.
• Explain one advantage of using this standardized test with your chosen age group of children.
• Point out one disadvantage of using this standardized test with your chosen age group of children.
• Summarize, according to the NAEYC, why it is important to understand variations or unique developmental needs in children’s development as it relates to using assessments.